Ongoing Eligibility policy ensures assistance for those most in need

The number of Queenslanders seeking housing assistance continues to grow. With approximately 34,000 people waiting for assistance, the department is constantly reviewing its policies and practices to ensure housing assistance is provided to those people in greatest need.

The Ongoing Eligibility policy has been introduced which allows the department to assess all tenants' ongoing eligibility for assistance when their circumstances change while living in public housing.

When people apply for and move into public housing, they are on low incomes. After moving into public housing, some people's incomes increase significantly or they obtain property. Some of these people move out of public housing to rent privately or purchase their own home, however some remain in departmental properties.

The Ongoing Eligibility policy affects tenants and their spouses with a combined income of over $80,000 per year, or tenancies where any person in the household owns property. These tenants will be given six months to move out of the departmental property.

Tenants can ask the department to review their circumstances, including any issues that may impact upon their ability to access alternative housing. Each case will be considered individually, according to the household's needs.

Households will also be required to respond to requests for information under this policy. If the necessary income and property information is not provided, these tenants will no longer be eligible for assistance under this policy.

The Department of Housing wrote to those tenants affected by the policy in November 2006 when the $80,000 per year income component of the Ongoing Eligibility policy was introduced.

This policy was developed outside of the one social housing system reforms and so will apply to all tenants regardless of the date they were first housed.

If you have any questions about the Ongoing Eligibility policy and how it might affect you, contact your nearest Department of Housing office.