Fact SheetApplying for Housing Tasmania Properties if You Live InterstateWho should read this?You should read this fact sheet if you wish to apply for housing assistance and support in Tasmania whilst living Interstate. Applications for housing assistance and support in Tasmania are with Housing Connect. Housing Connect can help you to access a safe, secure and affordable home for you and your family and help you get the support you need. Housing Connect can help you access the right housing option for you including other social housing, private rental or home ownership.Unfortunately, it isn’t possible to apply for, or transfer to a Housing Tasmania property if you live interstate. Housing Tasmania requires you to be a resident of Tasmania when you apply. All state housing authorities are separate and have different eligibility criteria and ways of managing waiting lists. How quickly will I be housed once I apply?The social and affordable housing system aims to address housing stress experienced by clients receiving low incomes. You will have your assistance and support need assessed through Housing Connect. Once your housing need and eligibility has been established, your application may be placed on the waitlist.Factors that may impact on your wait time for housing assistance with Housing Tasmania or other social housing providers include:

the number of suitable vacancies that occur and how many social housing properties there are in your nominated area (i.e. there may be limited stock);

the number of approved applicants looking for the same type of property in your nominated area (i.e. a popular area that has high demand and little turnover);

how many housing providers you nominate to receive offers of housing assistance; the number of people approved for priority housing who are placed on the list above

you. Housing Tasmania Properties

You may choose to receive social housing offers for properties managed by any housing provider. However, you will need to meet the eligibility criteria for your chosen housing provider.

V2.0 Oct 2013

Tasmanian residents can access Housing Tasmanian properties by meeting the Housing Tasmania eligibility criteria for being allocating a property which includes:

Be a Tasmanian resident Be an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident Be 16 years or older Be a low income earner eligible for a Commonwealth Health Care Card Not have financial assets exceeding $35,000 per household Not own land or a home of your own

You may be considered a Tasmanian resident if your income source is within Tasmania and you have a Tasmanian contact address. Applicants must be Australian citizens or have been granted permanent residency status; or have applied for permanent residency status (accommodation will not be offered until permanent status has been granted).

DiscretionDiscretion may be applied to a your application for housing assistance and or support at the time of your assessment with Housing Connect, for example, Housing Connect receives an interstate application where Family Violence is a serious risk factor.The area manager with Housing Tasmania has the discretion to make decisions to allocate their vacant properties to a client out of order, where a reasonable case has been presented. The decision must be adequately documented on the relevant tenancy file.

More Information

Housing Connect has Seven Front Door offices state wide located at:Hobart – Level 3, 181 Collins Street Rosny – Suites 3 & 4, 13 Bayfield StreetLaunceston – 118 Elizabeth Street Devonport – 31 King StreetBurnie – 6 Strahan Street Smithton – Wyndarra Centre, 43 Smith StreetQueenstown – West Coast Crisis Service, 11 Sticht Street

Please call the Housing Connect free call number on1800 800 588

After hours via 1800 numberwww.dhhs.tas.gov.au/housingconnect

Page 2 of 3

Page 3 of 3