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Affordable Housing

Affordable Housing is designed to relieve rental stress for key workers on low to moderate incomes. These people have the unique challenge of earning too much to qualify for Social Housing, yet too little to afford suitable rental accommodation on the private rental market.

Affordable Housing is designed to address short-medium term needs, and support households that have the potential for income growth or home ownership in the medium-term.

Affordable Housing programs have different eligibility criteria, and these are determined by state or local governments.

Amélie/SVDP Housing is fortunate to have Affordable Housing properties in NSW but does not yet have any in South Australia or the Australian Capital Territory.

For more information about Affordable Housing options in other States/Territories go to:

Affordable Housing Options | Housing ACT

Affordable Homes | SA Housing Authority

Affordable Housing in New South Wales

Eligibility for Affordable Housing mostly depends on household income - which must be within the maximum limits set by the NSW and/or Australian Government.

Other factors may also be considered when assessing eligibility, including:

  • Australian citizenship or permanent residency
  • whether the household would be able to secure suitable or adequate housing in the private rental market
  • whether the household owns any assets (for example, a property) which they could be reasonably expected to use to solve their housing need.

Eligibility, including income limits, can vary depending on the way a property was funded or developed, and who manages it. Income eligibility limits set by the NSW Government are outlined in the NSW Affordable Housing Guidelines. Income eligibility limits on properties receiving National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) funding are outlined on the DSS website.

Affordable Housing tenants generally enter into a lease for a fixed term and need to continue to meet the eligibility criteria throughout the duration of their tenancy. As long as they remain eligible for Affordable Housing, their lease may be renewed or continued for the duration of the program.

In NSW, Affordable Housing tenants generally receive a discount off market rent (between 20% and 25%). They are also charged 100% of their Commonwealth Rent Assistance entitlement.

In general, tenants should not pay any more than 25-30% of their gross income in rent.

Eligible people can apply for Affordable Housing in NSW by completing the Amélie Housing Affordable Housing Application Form.

Additionally, in NSW, many Affordable Housing vacancies are advertised online, including all of Amélie Housing’s Affordable housing vacancies. You can sign up to receive alerts for Affordable Housing properties in preferred locations that you may be eligible for, and apply for specific properties directly through the website.

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