In 2005–06, the Department conducted a successful pilot of Tenancy Facilitation – a service to help clients locate and apply for private rental accommodation.
A single father with a child urgently needed somewhere to live. The client had difficulty understanding the procedures for applying for private rentals, and had no previous rent history.
Although he had made several attempts to secure private rental accommodation, he had been unsuccessful and wasn’t offered any reasons why.
The Tenancy Facilitation process helped the client with his application and assisted in obtaining photocopied identification, Centrelink income statements and a Tenancy Guarantee through the Office of Community Housing.
After an extensive search, the client’s application for a two-bedroom unit in Coffs Harbour was successful. The Department provided the family with financial assistance through the Rentstart Scheme. The family was able to move into their new home in a couple of days.
The family has continued to live in the same property since November 2005. The real estate agent reports that he is very happy with the tenancy.