Aboriginal Communities Rent Policy v1.3

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1 Aboriginal Communities Rent Policy v1.3 3 June 2013

2 Document Control Sheet Document Details Policy number: HOU / 363 Version: v1.3 Date of version: 3 June 2013 Applies to: Issued by: Delegated authority: Jude Allen Manager, Strategy Policy & Aboriginal Outcomes Policy custodian: Alison Cramond Mgr, Housing Policy Reform Due for review: June 2014 Confidentiality: C1: public unrestricted DCSI strategic objective: DCSI Aboriginal Priorities Plan SA Strategic Plan: SP2: Safe communities, healthy neighbourhoods; T9: Aboriginal housing; T6: Aboriginal wellbeing Contact Person For enquiries or amendments Name Alison Cramond Position Manager, Housing Policy Reform Telephone Number Address DCSIHousingSAPolicy@dcsi.sa.gov.au Aboriginal Communities Rent Guidelines (Version 1.3) 3 June 2013 Page 2 of 5

3 1 Principles services and support to Aboriginal communities are guided by the following principles: Better services for customers Working together Aboriginal people working in Aboriginal housing Connecting people to their homes, communities and the environment Easier access to services A coordinated approach The promotion of cultural diversity Government and communities doing the right thing 2 Context and summary Under the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing (NPARIH), is responsible for the management of housing in remote and non-remote Aboriginal communities. An important part of this role is the management of rent payments. This requires a framework that is suitable for the circumstances of remote and non-remote living. This policy explains how will manage rent payments in remote and non-remote Aboriginal communities and is administered by on behalf of the South Australian Housing Trust. 3 Scope / what the policy refers to This policy applies to all housing in Aboriginal communities managed by. This includes existing, upgraded and new housing in remote and non-remote communities. This policy does not apply to homelands that are not receiving a full maintenance service. 4 Objectives / Reasons for this policy The policy sets out the basis on which rents are calculated and establishes the rules by which tenants are charged for their properties. In addition the Rent Policy aims to ensure that rent payments: are simple to calculate consider property size and remoteness are within affordability limits for people living in remote and non-remote communities. 5 Definitions Assessable income is the gross income of adult persons 18 years and over and does not include income provided for the care of children. Aboriginal Communities Rent Guidelines (Version 1.3) 3 June 2013 Page 3 of 5

4 House rent is a rent calculated by the South Australian Valuer-General, based on property size and remoteness, and is also referred to as market rent. Safety net rent is the income-based rent which is calculated to ensure that no tenant in a remote community pays more than 20% of their combined household income in rent, and no tenant in a non-remote community pays more than 25% of their combined household income in rent. "Remote Community" is defined as a community with a score equal to or above 5.80 on the Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA). "Non-Remote Community" is defined as a community with a score less than 5.80 on the Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA). 6 Reference Documents and Links 6.1 Directive Documents National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing South Australia s Strategic Plan Department for Communities and Social Inclusion Five Year Strategic Plan, (Draft) 6.2 Related Policies and Guidelines Aboriginal Communities - Managing Money Policy Aboriginal Communities Rent Guidelines Aboriginal Communities Transfer and Same Address Transfer Policy 7 Policy Detail Individual lease agreements are established between and one head tenant only. Rent will be calculated based on the house rents set by South Australia s Valuer-General. House rents are subject to annual review (or more frequently as required). Any increase in house rents resulting from an annual (or more frequent) review is applied as a general rent increase (GRI). At the time of a GRI, tenants paying the house rent are affected and will have their rents adjusted. In remote communities, if the house rent is more than 20% of combined household income tenants can apply for a safety net rent. The safety net rent will be calculated as 20% of a household s combined assessable income. The income of children under 18 years is exempt. In non-remote communities, if the house rent is more than 25% of combined household income tenants can apply for a safety net rent. The safety net rent will be calculated as 25% of a household s combined assessable income. The income of children under 18 is exempt. Where a household occupant has no income, the assessment of the tenant s eligibility for a safety net rent will be based on the minimum rate of the equivalent Centrelink payment that Aboriginal Communities Rent Guidelines (Version 1.3) 3 June 2013 Page 4 of 5

5 the person would be eligible for appropriate to their age and circumstances. will assist in securing the relevant income with that person in consultation with Centrelink. Safety net rents will be subject to a 6-monthly review. Rent will be charged to the tenant. All adult members in a household who receive an income (e.g. Centrelink payment, wages) will be encouraged to contribute to the house rent; and all adult members in a household whose main source of income is a Centrelink payment are strongly encouraged to pay rent by direct deduction from Centrelink or by payroll deduction if employed. Tenants should notify immediately if there is a change in household composition. All other changes will be recorded during the 6-monthly review, or as otherwise advised by the tenant. These will not be retrospective. 8 Policy Approval Content Author: Executive: Executive: Name: Jessica Murrell, Snr Project Officer & Alison Cramond Mgr, Housing Policy Reform Name: Carol Shard Position: Director, Services & Practice Name: Jude Allen Position: Manager Strategy, Policy and Aboriginal Outcomes Aboriginal Communities Rent Guidelines (Version 1.3) 3 June 2013 Page 5 of 5

The purpose of this policy is to outline how Bridge Housing Limited (Bridge Housing) calculates rent and manages the bi-annual Rent Review process.

Rent Purpose The purpose of this policy is to outline how Bridge Housing Limited (Bridge Housing) calculates rent and manages the bi-annual Rent Review process. Scope This policy applies to all tenants