WAiS, together with organisations such as People with Disabilities WA, have been working with the WA Department of Communities, Housing, over a number of years, seeking a workable and positive Rent Setting Policy for Co-residents who are supporting people with disability living in a social housing rental property. Please see attached announcement. There is expected to be further details and information released in coming weeks.

Please note, this policy is expected to take effect until on the 6th July 2020.

Read below, or click here for the media release statement https://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/McGowan/2020/03/Affordable-rent-cap-for-co-resident-carers-in-social-housing.aspx

 

Affordable rent cap for co-resident carers in social housing

Monday, 16 March 2020

  • Co-resident carer’s assessable income capped at full Centrelink Carer Payment
  • New approach reduces the household rent for a person with disability

A co-resident carer looking after a person with a disability living in social housing will have their rent capped at 25 per cent of the Centrelink Carer Payment, regardless of their total assessable income.

Under current rental policy, social housing tenants pay 25 per cent of the household’s assessable income in rent, including all the assessable income of a co-resident carer.

But under a new policy announced by the McGowan Government today, a co-resident carer with an assessable income greater than the Centrelink Carer Payment will have their rent capped at the full rate of the Carer Payment.

Parents who are not social housing tenants, caring for children with disability over 18, will be eligible for the cap. However, a co-resident carer who is married to or in a de-facto relationship with the person with disability will be ineligible.

Social housing comprises both public housing provided by the State and community housing provided by non-government organisations.

 

Comments attributed to Housing Minister Peter Tinley:

“The McGowan Government is dedicated to providing more affordable housing options for all Western Australians, including those living with disability and their carers.

“The new co-resident carer policy is more affordable for the household because the increase in rent payable to the tenant from the co-resident carer is capped to 25 per cent of the full rate of the Centrelink Carer Payment.

This new arrangement is an incentive for people to become or remain co-resident carers for people with disability and also an incentive for tenants with disability to seek a co-resident carer.”

 

Comments attributed to Disability Service Minister Stephen Dawson:

“Carers in disability services have a profound impact on people’s lives and are the backbone of the sector, helping vulnerable people in need to live their best lives.

“The State Government encourages co-residency care arrangements that might not otherwise exist and help people with disability to be as independent as possible.”

Minister’s office – 6552 5300