The McGowan Government has announced an increase in income limits for social housing to ensure applicants and tenants remain eligible for housing assistance after the indexation of the Age Pension on March 20.
From Monday March 14, 2022, income eligibility limits will increase by $20 per week for single income households and $25 per week for dual income households.
These amounts increase by 25 per cent for households with a person who has a disability and 40 per cent if the household is living in the North-West or other designated remote areas to account for higher living costs.
The increase affects both public housing and community housing where public housing income eligibility limits are used.
Future adjustments will be made to public housing income limits as necessary to ensure those most in need remain eligible for housing assistance.
As stated by Housing Minister John Carey:
“This is a sensible and common sense approach that makes it clear our Government will do what is necessary to ensure the most vulnerable in our community continue to be looked after.
“We expect that as a result of this change, there will be some increase in the number of people eligible for public housing, which may result in more people applying to go on the public housing waitlist.
“Our Government is investing $2.1 billion into social housing during this term of Parliament, including a record investment of $875 million as part of the 2021-22 State Budget. This is the single largest one-off investment into social housing in the State’s history and will provide a significant boost to housing.”
