Social Housing Programs
To address the potential impacts of natural disasters on social housing tenants, applicants listed on the housing register and other householders, the Department of Communities has approved a number of provisions to be implemented in the event of a natural disaster declaration in Queensland.
Provisions for social housing tenants
The department has approved the following provisions for tenants in public housing affected by natural disasters. These provisions can be implemented for an initial four week period and then extended if required at the department’s discretion.
- Suspending rent arrears payments.
- Suspending debt collection processes.
- Income of temporary occupants not being included in household rent assessments, where the temporary household members is seeking assistance because their housing is not habitable.
- Crediting households that have been impacted by significant property damage or are displaced and have to pay other accommodation costs with four weeks rent.
Community housing providers are encouraged to implement the same strategies for tenants affected by natural disasters. The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 includes provisions for reducing or waiving rent where properties have reduced liveability. Further information is available from the Residential Tenancies Authority website.
Referrals and allocations for social housing vacancies
To ensure that households affected by natural disasters are assisted in a timely manner the following provisions have been approved for the filling of any public and community housing vacancies:
- Existing social housing tenants affected by natural disasters are assisted to transfer as a priority and can be provided with out of turn allocations. As per the existing transfer policy, department/provider initiated transfers may occur with no reassessment of tenant eligibility.
- The out-of-turn allocations policy has been extended and enables new applicants requiring assistance as a result of natural disasters to be allocated as the highest order of allocation, subject to availability of stock and the needs of other Very High Need applicants.
- Under the Housing Ineligible Applicants process, the department and providers are able to assist ineligible households affected by natural disasters. These households are reviewed after six months to assess their continued need for housing assistance.
Use of surplus funds to meet disaster recovery related expenses
Community housing providers in declared natural disaster areas can use retained surplus program funds to meet disaster recovery related expenses and to respond to additional demand for assistance.
For example Community Rent Scheme providers can use surplus funds to exceed approved privately-headleased property quotas, to assist additional households.
Providers are not required to seek up-front approval to use surplus funds, however should advise the department of additional properties sourced in order to maintain the integrity of Housing Register data. Program funds expended under these provisions are acquitted by organisations via the Social Housing Annual Financial Returns.
For more information on the natural disaster recovery provisions for social housing, please contact your Services Officer in Housing Provider Management on 3225 1253 or via email housingprovidermanagement@communities.qld.gov.au.
Private Housing Programs
Home Assist Secure, HACC Home Modifications and TAAS(Q) service providers
As per the existing Prioritisation/Allocation process as set out in the program specifications and guidelines for the Home Assist Secure (HAS) and Tenant Advocacy and Advice Services Queensland (TAASQ) programs, the Department expects Providers will give highest priority assistance to home owners and renters directly affected by a natural disaster.
Use of surplus funds:
HAS, HACC Home Modifications and TAASQ Providers in declared natural disaster areas can use retained surplus program funds to meet disaster recovery related expenses to respond to additional demand for assistance.
Home Assist Secure:
The Director, Private Housing Programs, if required, will notify Home Assist Secure providers that they are able to waive the usual client subsidy threshold and job limits for eligible jobs (HAS Program Specifications; clause 7.4) to assist clients directly affected by a natural disaster. This provision will be implemented for an initial four week period from the date notified, and extended by the Director, Private Housing Programs if necessary.
In the Event of a Declared Disaster
In the event of a declared disaster, you will be contacted by a Department of Communities officer who works in the Region.
If you require clarification around policy or program issues, please contact:
Kaylene Moore, Director, Housing Provider Management on 0407 631 712; or
Julie Cosgrove, Manager, Housing Provider Management on 0437 435 910.
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