Program holds the key to long-term housing relief

The SA Government’s Private Rental Assistance Program can help open the door to long-term housing for thousands of South Australians.

Help is at hand for people looking to secure private rental accommodation. Picture iStock.

Help is available for eligible South Australians struggling to cover the cost of securing and maintaining private rental accommodation.

In the current tight market – with tenants hit with the double-blow of fast-rising rents and historically-low vacancy rates – the State Government’s Private Rental Assistance Program can provide some relief.

Adelaide’s December’s vacancy rate was only 0.8 per cent compared to a national rate of 1.6 per cent, while the average weekly rent for houses topped $664 – a 12-month hike of 4.2 per cent – and units was $516, a 12-month jump of 13.8 per cent.

The Private Rental Assistance Program provides financial assistance to eligible South Australians on low-moderate incomes who either:

● Have difficulty meeting the upfront costs associated with renting privately; or

● Need help to maintain their accommodation.

SA Housing Trust chief financial officer Nick Symons. Picture: Supplied

SA Housing Trust chief financial officer Nick Symons says the government agency assists more than 10,000 customers a year with private rental assistance through the program – and that number has grown with widened eligibility limits.

“In February 2023, we increased the eligibility criteria for maximum property rent from $450 to $600 per week and increased the number of weeks rent in advance, from one week to two, for those on extremely low incomes. This change saw 75 per cent of recipients receiving the two weeks rent in advance.

“We also significantly increased the amount of cash assets – or savings – a customer can have to over $69,000. These policy changes have meant we could assist more people, with that figure growing from 10,427 customers assisted in 2022-23 to 11,210 last financial year.”

People on low-moderate incomes can often find accumulating the funds to cover the required bond and advance rent – which can be as much as six weeks’ worth – a difficult exercise.

Symons says the Housing Trust can assist eligible customers with the upfront costs of securing accommodation by providing a bond guarantee, which is an undertaking to the property owner or agent that the Trust will pay for legitimate claims at the end of a tenancy. 

“Only if a valid claim is made would it become a debt to the customer, which they would need to repay to the Trust in full or make and maintain regular repayments,” he says.

The Housing Trust can also assist with the rent in advance, which is paid to the property owner or agent.  “Rent in advance is a grant so the customer isn’t required to pay it back,” Symons says.

More than 10,000 customers are being helped through the SA Government’s Private Rental Assistance Program each year – and that number is growing with widened eligibility criteria. Picture: Thinkstock

To check on eligibility to the Private Rental Assistance Program, customers can go online via sa.gov.au and search for “help paying bond and rent”. 

“There’s a basic eligibility checker there and an online application where you can apply for assistance,” Symons says.

“Customers can submit an application at any time, but will need to provide proof of their identification and income to receive formal approval.”

PRAP approvals are valid for 14 weeks, giving the customer time to secure accommodation and provide proof of rent.  Customers can also check their eligibility or make an appointment to discuss their housing options by phoning the Contact Centre on 131 299.

Income eligibility limits are updated yearly, based on a percentage of the average weekly earnings and can be found on the “help paying bond and rent” page on sa.gov.au.

For customers who fall behind in rent, rent in arrears can be approved in special circumstances. Rent arrears can only be approved through a Housing Advice appointment so customers will need to phone 131 299 to request an appointment. Eligible customers can receive up to four weeks rent in a two-year period.

Customers who don’t meet the standard eligibility criteria but who are experiencing a housing crisis or need to move because their safety is at risk should call 131 299 to discuss their housing options.

Opening the doors to a much brighter future

Scott knows the difficulties of renting in Adelaide only too well – which is why he’s extremely grateful for the Private Rental Assistance Program.

The 54-year-old single father says he simply wouldn’t have been able to have secured private rental accommodation for he and his daughter without it. “I wouldn’t have been able to get in here without the government assistance for bond and rent in advance,” he says from the two-bedroom Salisbury East unit he moved into in November.

“I don’t have that money or that saving capability now that I’m a full-time carer, and many people don’t – but the support is there.”

He says the bond and rental assistance had helped provide him with some valuable breathing space.

“All I had to do was show that I’d been approved for this place and then the bond – and first two weeks rent – was organised the next day,” he says. “So you’ve then got that time to have your next two weeks rent organised. You don’t need to have all that upfront.”

Help is at hand for people looking to secure rental housing. Picture: iStock

The program can also assist with rental arrears for eligible customers.

A self-confessed “southern boy”, Scott says he was basically forced out of his previous home at Happy Valley – where he had lived for nine years – because of spiralling rents and a desire by the landlord to renovate. “So I’d been looking at places for six months, and for the price, this one is actually pretty good,” he says of his new home.

“I’ve seen far worse for far more.”

He was able to access support after getting in touch with Towards Home, part of the South Australian Homelessness Alliances program introduced by SA Housing Trust to help people experiencing rough sleeping and/or homelessness.

Keen to secure private rental rather than public housing, he eventually found a place thanks to the help of a “lovely property manager who was prepared to hear my story”.

He also paid tribute to SA Housing Trust officer Rebecca, who provided invaluable assistance, including even attending a rental inspection on his behalf.

“She’s rung making sure we’re all right and everything’s gone fine,” he says.

“So through circumstances we’ve met the right people – and ended up here.”

He also urges people needing support to reach out for assistance – and to roll up their own sleeves.

“The government will help you, but you can’t just expect it to happen – you’ve got to do some work yourself,” he says.

“It’s not all about them just helping you. It’s also you helping yourself. The assistance is there. If you do the right thing, it’s there.”

Originally published as Program holds the key to long-term housing relief