Eligibility

Who can apply for housing

You can apply to be housed with City West Housing if you meet the following criteria:

• Income - your gross household income (ie before tax) must fall within one of the following bands:



As at July 2009
Band 1	Below $29,094
Band 2	$29,094 to $47,381
Band 3	$47,382 to $80,180
Note: These income bands are reviewed annually, effective 1 July each year. Applicants will be provided with up-to-date information at the time of application and as requested.



• Local connection - you must meet one of the following three conditions relating to local connection to be eligible: you must either be currently living in the Ultimo/Pyrmont or Green Square area, (which includes some areas with adjoining suburbs) or you must have lived in Ultimo/Pyrmont (postcodes 2007 and 2009) or Green Square (postcodes 2015, 2017 and 2018) in the past for at least two years, or you must be currently working in the Ultimo/Pyrmont or Green Square area. People with other strong connections may be considered.


• Housing need - you must currently be living in housing which is unsuitable or inadequate for your needs e.g. housing which is not available for the long term, unaffordable, overcrowded, in an inappropriate location, lacking in basic amenities or a poor state of repair.


• Long term housing - you must require long term housing in the Ultimo/Pyrmont or Green Square area. City West Housing must also have available the size and type of housing most appropriate to your needs.


• Financial circumstances - you must not own assets or property which you could reasonably be expected to use to solve your housing need.


• Residency - you must be a permanent resident of Australia.

How much will I be paying?

In line with the company’s Rent Policy, an amount will be calculated as the household contribution towards market rent based on gross household income. Contributions are set between 25% and 30% of income, depending on which income band you fall into.

Household contribution levels are reviewed on a regular basis to take account of changes to your income. The amount you pay will increase or decrease in accordance with a rise or fall in your household’s gross income but will never be more than the private market for a similar unit, even if your income increases over time.