Question 1

Property locations and house size

Accepted Answer

SAC's properties are located in the Southwest, Wheatbelt, and the Great Southern regions of WA. 
Our houses consists of majority three-and four-bedroom dwellings to accommodate the high demand for rental properties for one and two parent families with multiple children. 
These are located across several regional and remote centres: 
Albany
Mount Barker 
Katanning 
Narrogin
Tambellup
Gnowangerup 
Kojonup 
Wagin
Pingelly 
Kondinin 
Brookton
Boddington
Collie
Bunbury
Australind
Brunswick Junction
Waroona 
Manjimup
Yalyalup

Question 2

Eligibility

Accepted Answer

Eligibility for SAC managed housing is governed by the following principles:
Access to housing assistance is to be provided to Aboriginal people; 
Access to housing is to be provided where available in accordance with SAC’s policy and SOP, to those unable to obtain adequate and appropriate housing through the private sector; 
Help is to be provided regardless of the age, gender, marital status, religion, disability or life situation of the applicant;
Applicants and tenants must remain eligible while seeking and residing in housing, to ensure that assistance is provided to those in greatest need; 
Limits on eligibility are to be based primarily on the applicant’s financial circumstances by taking into account: 
Level of income;
Value of relevant assets and income derived from them;
Number of dependent children; 
Costs arising from disability and other special circumstances; and 
Limits on eligibility are to be reviewed at appropriate intervals of time.

Applicants must also meet the Community Housing Income and Asset Eligibility Criteria per the Department of Communities’ Community Housing and Asset Limits Policy.
Priority is assessed based on housing need, homelessness risk, special needs (disability, FDV survivors), and local community connection. Applicants must submit any letters of support or medical reports with their application if applicable. 
SAC reserves the right to refuse a tenancy, or place conditions on further tenancies, to any applicant with substantiated breaches of the tenancy agreement or the RTA. An applicant with a poor tenancy history including debts, inadequate property standards and/or anti-social behaviour will not be allocated housing by SAC.

Question 3

Housing Application Process

Accepted Answer

To apply for SAC's rental housing, applicants must complete the standard Application for Rental Housing form and return it to SAC via email or post. Prospective tenants will be contacted as vacancies arise.

Assistance is available for applicants requiring help completing their form. Please contact SAC for assistance.

Applicants must submit:
Completed Housing Application Form (click on button below)
Proof of income
Proof of identity
Housing references (if applicable)

Other important information
Housing applications must be completed in full and signed by all household members over 18 years of age.
All household members, including children, need to be listed on the application. A copy of income statements and proof of identity for all adult applicants needs to accompany applications. 
The head applicant/s and household members must meet the eligibility criteria. 
If an applicant believes their application should be given priority, they can arrange a meeting to discuss their situation with appropriate housing staff and/or provide details within the application form with supporting information (e.g. medical certificate). 
Applicants are welcome to bring an advocate/family friend if they wish to do so when applying for housing assistance. 
Incomplete forms will be returned to the applicant for completion.

Priority Assistance 
An applicant may make an application for priority assistance or transfer under the following criteria. It should be noted that any priority assistance or transfer is subject to the availability of an appropriate premises.
Medical condition(s)
Domestic Violence;
Child Protection Issues;
Cultural Issues
Extreme Overcrowding; and/or
Extreme hardship due to current living conditions (e.g. living in self-built accommodation with no power, natural catastrophe, house fire etc.).
Priority applications will be assessed on an individual basis by management and will be assessed according to the provision of documentary proof of claims of urgent housing need. Any decision made is at the discretion of the management.
The approved applicant will be priority listed from the date of the approval and notified in writing of their application status.

Question 4

Assessment

Accepted Answer

SAC assesses eligibility and priority using a transparent, equitable system:
Applications are reviewed fairly and assessed within 28 business days. Applicants are notified of the outcome in writing.
A waiting list is maintained, and applicants can request information about their position on the list.
Applications remain active for 12 months, after which reapplication may be required.

Question 5

Allocation

Accepted Answer

When a property becomes vacant, application forms are sent to all suitable parties on the Register of Interest and SAC members for that town/locality. All completed applications forms that are received by the closing date will be considered.
SAC will select tenants openly and fairly without cronyism and nepotism. SAC’s decisions will be transparent basing the selection on an assessment process which considers individual housing needs and meets SAC’s stated aims. All SAC staff will declare any conflicts of interest. 
The Housing Manager will draw up a short list of prospective tenants from the applications received. The short list will take into account the length of time since the potential tenant made an Expression of Interest to SAC and the following factors:
Size of family
Personal factors (health, disability, etc.)
Tenant’s rental history (including current arrears, etc.)
Financial/employment status
Tenant liability
Rental arrears
Location of the property
Area characteristics
The number of bedrooms available is suitable for the applicants
Current debt to SAC or other agencies
Cultural considerations
Suitability based on medical/paramedical advice supplied by applicant

The Housing Manager will contact Department of Housing / private landlords for a reference regarding each shortlisted applicant. 
After expression is ended, applicants shortlisted will be invited to view the property to ascertain if the house fits their needs, they will then relay their decision to the Housing Manager 
Offers of tenancy are always subject to a satisfactory reference being obtained from the applicant’s current and/or previous landlord. At the discretion of the Housing Manager, SAC may require additional references.
Potential tenants on the short list are assessed among Housing Staff and a tenant is selected and an alternative tenant(s) nominated.
In allocating the tenancy of a SAC dwelling of which the tenant has died, preference shall be given to a child of the deceased tenant provided that the child:
Is aged 18 years or more;
Has been normally and permanently resident in that dwelling for a minimum of six months;
Has applied for the tenancy in the usual way; and
Is otherwise eligible to be a SAC tenant.
In the event of the death of both parents, where there are children who are under the age of 18, who currently reside in the dwelling, a guardian may be appointed to the tenancy at the discretion of the Housing Manager.

Size and Composition of Housing Offered
The size and composition of an applicant’s household will determine the number of bedrooms that the household is entitled to and offered.
SAC will make no grant of tenancy which would result in overcrowding, i.e. in the number of occupants exceeding the number indicated below.
As a guide, bedroom entitlement will be based upon the following criteria:
De facto or married couples to share one bedroom;
Children of the same gender to share one bedroom up to a maximum of two children per bedroom;
Children of same gender with age difference of seven years or more -one bedroom each; and
Any other adult members of household- one bedroom each.
SAC will take into account personal circumstances when making decisions regarding bedroom entitlements.
Consideration may be given for an extra bedroom to allow for the equipment needs of people with disabilities, medical conditions or if there are regular weekend carers for people with disabilities.
If a home is under occupied, SAC will exercise its discretion and will liaise with the tenants to determine the appropriate course of action including reallocation to a suitable property.

Question 6

Rent Setting

Accepted Answer

Rent is calculated using the Shelter WA Rent Setting Calculator and either ATO benchmarks or substantiated market rent values as ‘Market Rent’ price ceilings.
Rent is set at either:
25% of assessable household income, plus Commonwealth Rent Assistance OR
An affordable market rent, whichever is lower.

Assessable Income Payments include those identified in the table here.

Agreed rent is the amount of weekly rent calculated at the time of the tenant and SAC signing the Residential Tenancy Agreement (and as is recorded in the Residential Tenancy Agreement). 
This rental amount and method is subject to Department of Communities and/or Organisational reviews and/or policy changes, including the Department of Communities’ Community Housing Rent Setting Policy (available here).

Question 7

Termination

Accepted Answer

1. Termination by tenant 
A tenant may give 21 days notice of termination of a Residential Tenancy Agreement to SAC without specifying any ground for the notice. Notice must be given in writing, and the tenant will remain  responsible for the property as legal tenant, until the keys are returned to SAC. When the 21 days notice is received, SAC will make arrangements to inspect the property and discuss with the tenant the vacated maintenance requirements and any estimated vacated tenant liability. 
Where tenants have given 21 days notice under the Residential Tenancy Agreement or arranged a pre vacation inspection the tenant/s is to be offered tip pass where this is made available by Council or advised if applicable of the council “mini skip” bin service. For all rubbish to be removed from the property and verge the tenant will be charged. Refer to Section 68 of the Residential Tenancies Act 1987 (WA) ('RTA') for further information. This does not apply to fixed term leases during the term.

2. Termination by mutual agreement  
The Residential Tenancy Agreement may be terminated if both SAC and the tenant agree in writing signed by both parties that the Residential Tenancy Agreement be ended and the date it is to be ended.

3. Termination by breach of agreement 
Where problems with a tenancy which may constitute a breach are identified, the Housing Manager, or delegated staff member will make contact with the tenant as soon as possible to attempt to resolve the issue, whilst at the same time complying with the Residential Tenancies Act. Depending on the gravity of the breach, SAC may issue a First breach notice in writing and if no remedial action is taken in relation to the breach, issue a Termination of Agreement no less than 14 days after the First breach notice.

4. Termination by frustration of agreement  
Where, otherwise than as a result of a breach of an agreement, the premises or a part of the premises are destroyed or rendered uninhabitable or are appropriated or acquired by any authority by compulsory process:
the rent will decrease accordingly; and
the owner or tenant may give notice of termination of the agreement to the other upon that ground.
Where SAC gives notice of termination under this section, the period of notice will be not less than seven days.
Where a tenant gives notice of termination under this section, the period of notice shall be not less than two days.
Refer to Section 69 Notice of Termination by Owner or Tenant Where Agreement Frustrated of the Residential Tenancy Act.

5. Termination due to family and domestic violence  
Per 71AB of the Residential Tenancies Legislation Amendment (Family Violence) Act 2019: 
Despite any other provision of the Act or another written law or a requirement under a contract, a tenant may give to the lessor notice of termination of the tenant’s interest in the residential tenancy agreement on the ground that the tenant or a dependent of the tenant is, during the tenancy period, likely to be subjected or exposed to family violence. 
A notice under this section must be accompanied by a document, applicable during the tenancy period, comprising 1 of the following:
A DVO; 
A Family Court injunction or an application for a Family Court injunction; 
A copy of a prosecution notice or indictment containing a charge relating to violence against the tenant or a court record of a conviction of the charge; 
A report of family violence, in a form approved by the Commissioner, completed by a person who has worked with the tenant and is 1 of the following:
A person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Western Australia) in the medical profession; 
A person registered under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law (Western Australia) in the psychology profession; 
A social worker as defined in the Mental Health Act 2014 section 4; 
A police officer; 
A person in charge of a women’s refuge;
A prescribed person or class of persons.
 If a tenant gives notice under this section, the period of notice must be not less than 7 days before the termination day.

Approved Professional 
For the purposed of signing the official Consumer Protection Family Violence Report – Evidence Form (available here), an approved professional may be a: 
Doctor
Psychologist
Social worker
Person in charge of a women’s refuge
Police officer
Child protection worker 
Family support worker 
Person in charge of an Aboriginal health, welfare or legal organisation.

If there has been damage to the premises or unpaid rent as a result of family and domestic violence, the court can assign liability for any damages or debt to whoever is responsible for the family and domestic violence (the perpetrator). For this to occur, the tenant who is experiencing family and domestic violence, whether vacating the premises or staying, must apply to the court using the court order form 12 (available here). 
If there is no court order, all the tenants on the tenancy agreement remain jointly liable for any damages and/or debts. 
SAC will prioritize accommodation transfers, where possible and vacancy dependent, to facilitate improved access to security and safety for a tenant post an FDV incident in our accommodation.

6. Termination for purposes of resale with vacant possession. 
SAC is required to give tenants at least 30 days’ notice of termination. This does not apply to fixed term leases during the term.

7. Termination for purposes of corporation’s affairs being wound up or for any or no reason. SAC is required to give tenants at least 60 days’ notice of termination.  This does not apply to fixed term leases during the term.

8. Periodic or Fixed Term Tenancy 
Termination rights and notice periods differ depending on whether the tenancy is periodic or fixed term. For more information on the termination of fixed term leases please see s 70A of the RTA.

Question 8

How we manage our housing program income

Accepted Answer

Sound housing management practices to support SAC's services includes collection of rent from tenants. 
This income goes towards the associated costs of providing housing, such as;
Local government rates (where exemptions cannot be attained):
Water rates
Property (building) insurance;
Projected repairs and maintenance;
Administrative expenses; and
Contributions towards purchase of additional housing stock.

Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Community Housing
Program

What we do

Program Details

Property locations and house size

Eligibility

Housing Application Process

Assessment

Allocation

Rent Setting

Termination

How we manage our housing program income

Need support or information?

Contact us

Connect with us

Southern Aboriginal Corporation Community Housing Program

What we do

Program Details

Property locations and house size

Eligibility

Housing Application Process

Assessment

Allocation

Rent Setting

Termination

How we manage our housing program income

Need support or information?

Contact us

Connect with us

Southern Aboriginal Corporation
Community Housing
Program