Prospective Tenants

To be eligible for housing assistance with ACHC, you must have already satisfied the eligibility requirements of the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy and have an approved application on the register of need. When ACHC has a vacancy, the Department of Housing refer a suitable tenant from their register. The below link takes you to their eligibility requirements.

<span><b>Prospective  </b></span> Tenants

ACHC Housing Programs

ACHC is a Cairns based not for profit organization here to fulfil our communities needs in the provision of affordable accommodation for people that are on the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy (DCHDE) register of need. We manage several housing provider programs aimed at providing secure, affordable housing to families, individuals and seniors (aged over 55). Some of these programs are funded by the DCHDE. Details on all of these programs is provided below. As above, to be eligible for housing assistance with ACHC, you must have already satisfied the eligibility requirements of the DCHDE and have an approved application on the Register of Need.

At ACHC we may not have all the answers you require immediately, but we will work hard and go the extra mile to help you realise your needs as an individual, family or pensioner.

Community Managed Housing Studio Units

The Community Managed Housing Studio Units (CMSU) program provides a mix of long term and transitional housing for eligible applicants.

As these types of accommodation are studio units, this program is tailored to meet the needs of individuals, not families. All properties within the CMSU are owned by the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy (DCHDE) and leased to tenants through Access Community Housing Company (ACHC).

The units are fully furnished and are suitable for tenants who can live independently.

Tenants must pay rent on these properties (to ACHC) – rental amounts are based on the tenant’s income and rent is calculated at 28% of assessable household income plus any Rent Assistance tenants are entitled to receive through Department of Human Services. The rent collected is used for ongoing tenancy and property management.

In this instance ACHC is the landlord and rent calculation policy guidelines are those set by the DCHDE.

ACHC has approximately 122 units in several complexes within the Cairns area.

Long Term Housing

We provide Long Term community (social) housing in conjunction with funding and support from the Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy (DCHDE).

This housing is available to eligible individuals and families and is aimed at ensuring those in our community in greatest need are supported. In this instance, the properties are owned by DCHDE and rented through ACHC.

As the name suggests, this is longer term housing and is designed to reduce homelessness and increase housing affordability.

Tenants must pay rent on these properties (to ACHC) – rental amounts are based on tenant’s income and rent is calculated at 25% of assessable household income plus any Rent Assistance the tenant/s are entitled to receive through Department of Human Services.

The rent collected is used for ongoing tenancy and property management. In this instance ACHC is the landlord and rent calculation policy guidelines are those set by the DCHDE.

ACHC has approximately 329 properties of varying sizes in Babinda and the Cairns areas, including a number of senior’s complexes for those over 55 years of age.

Community Rental Scheme

The Community Rent Scheme (CRS) provides transitional housing for eligible applicants with high or very high housing needs. It is not designed to be a long term housing solution.

Our Housing Managers work with tenants utilizing the CRS, to assist them to move into long term housing, either within the private rental market or the social housing sector.

Most properties within the CRS are privately owned and leased by Access Community Housing Company, either through a real estate agent or directly from the owners. Tenants must pay rent on these properties (to ACHC): rental amounts are based on your income and rent is calculated at approx. 25% of assessable household income plus any Rent Assistance you are entitled to receive through Department of Human Services. The DCHDE covers administration and the difference in rent costs, between what you can afford to pay and what the property owners expect to receive.

ACHC is your landlord in this situation. ACHC has approximately 130 CRS properties in the Cairns and Mossman areas, catering to individuals and families.

Sign-up Process

 

For more information regarding Access Community Housing Company, please contact us on admin@achc.org.au or phone (07) 4031 6702

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