At the end of 2019, there were nearly 1220 social housing applications pending, while Townsville renters this year are facing the lowest vacancy rate in more than a decade. More than half of the applications on the housing register last year were for families of two or more people.One family of 11 had spent 65 months on the list, waiting for a home big enough to ­accommodate such a large household. MORE NEWS>>>
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One application, which was just for one person, waited for at least 181 months for housing. Ten applicants spent more than 100 months on the wait list. Of 1218 applications made, there were more than 655 single persons looking for social housing. More than 215 applications were for two people, either a couple or a single parent with a child. There were less than 150 three-person applications, which were a mix of single ­parents with two children or a couple with one child.

There were 41 families with six or more people, including both single-parent families and couples with children, looking for somewhere to live. The Department of Communities and Housing said it takes into consideration a number of factors when considering applications for social housing. “The department manages its vacancy process to ensure people in high housing need receive timely assistance, taking into account individual circumstances,” a spokesman said.
“Factors include their wellbeing, financial status and ability to independently sustain a tenancy. “As at 30 November 2020, there were 18 properties available in the Townsville LGA, and these are in the process of being matched with people in need.”The department also provides a number of private rental market products – which households can access while remaining on the housing ­register – designed to help customers build a positive rental history. “During the period 1 July 2020–30 November 2020 in the Townsville Housing Service Centre region, there have been 284 bond loans issued, 75 rental grants, 214 instances of assistance through Rent Connect, 10 through the Regional Discretionary Fund, four through the Rent Subsidy Scheme, three through the Helping Hand Headlease system and one through Bond Loan Plus,” the spokesman said. “Anyone experiencing housing stress can contact their local Housing Service Centre for assistance.”



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