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AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Affordable Housing Vacancies

Housing Plus has affordable rental properties in Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo and Mudgee. These properties are offered via our waitlist. For more information please call 1800 603 300.


What is Affordable Housing?

Affordable housing can mean a number of different things to different people, but it is generally agreed that housing is affordable if a household does not have to spend more than 30% of their income on rent.

At Housing Plus we define affordable housing as:

  • Reasonably adequate in standard and location for low to moderate income households; and
  • Reasonably priced in so much as a household can meet basic living costs e.g. pay for medical or educational expenses, food, transport and energy costs.

Rents for affordable housing are offered at subsidised rates, based either on a discount to the market rent or as a percentage of household income.


Why does the Central West need affordable housing?

The Central West is currently experiencing an acute rental affordability crisis. This crisis is linked to the local resources boom, which has produced a sudden influx of high income earners in the community. Population projections suggest that this situation may continue for some time and governments at all levels are working toward solutions that will maintain balance in the community. In the meantime, the real estate market in the Central West is experiencing a depletion in affordable rental properties.


How do I apply?

Click to view our Affordable Housing Application Form.


What is the National Rental Affordability Scheme?

The National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) is an Australian Government initiative to stimulate the supply of new affordable, privately-owned rental dwellings.

Under round 4 of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS), Housing Plus secured funding to build affordable rental properties in Orange, Bathurst and Mudgee. These are rented to eligible low and moderate income households at a rate that is at least 20% below the prevailing market rate.


Am I eligible for affordable housing?

Eligibility for affordable housing mostly depends on your household income, which must be within the maximum limits set by the NSW and/or Australian governments. Below is a guide to the maximum income you can receive to be eligible for affordable housing under the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS):

Table 1: Household income eligibility limits (under NRAS) 2023-24 (1.5.23 – 30.4.24)
2023 – 2024
Initial Income Limit
First adult $58,905
First adult – sole parent $61,957
Each additional adult $22,536
Each child* $19,541

*Child means a person under 18 years of age who is financially dependent on an eligible tenant. If a person under 18 years of age is financially independent, they are considered an adult for NRAS purposes.

For example, if a household consists of a sole parent with two children, regardless of whether the parent has sole or shared custody, the gross household income for the 12 month period prior to entering the dwelling must be equal to or less than $101,039 (i.e. $61,957 + $19,541 + $19,541).

For ease of application, the initial and existing household income limits for various household compositions are shown in the table below.

2023-24 NRAS Year
Household
Composition
Initial
Income Limit
Existing Tenant Income Limit*
One adult $58,905 $73,631
Two adults $81,441 $101,801
Three adults $103,977 $129,971
Four adults $126,513 $158,141
Sole parent with one child $81,498 $101,873
Sole parent with two children $101,039 $126,299
Sole parent with three children $120,580 $150,725
Couple with one child $100,982 $126,228
Couple with two children $120,523 $150,654
Couple with three children $140,064 $175,080

*This column shows figures which are 25 per cent more than the initial household income limits. If the combined gross household income of existing tenants exceeds the initial income limit by 25 per cent or more (i.e. is at or is more than the existing tenant income limit) in two consecutive eligibility years, the tenants will cease to be eligible tenants.


Key Links:

About Affordable Housing