How to apply for the Affordable Housing Rental Scheme

Similar to applying for a private rental home, you will be required to provide necessary information to the tenancy manager.   

The tenancy manager will only collect information necessary for leasing the home. 

Application information will be captured in an online form and includes:  

• the names and contact details of each person who will live at the home  
• the combined household income which will determine eligibility 
• address and employment history for each adult over the last two years 
• Victorian and Australian residency and/or citizenship 

We will ask demographic questions that will be optional. These questions will be asked for research purposes.  If you choose to opt out at this point, all information on the application form will be deleted.  
 

Once you correctly submit your application for a new home, your application will enter a ballot system for that property. A ballot is where applicants will be randomly chosen from a list. In this way, all eligible applicants will have an equal chance of being offered an affordable home.

If you are successful in the ballot, you will have the opportunity to inspect the listed property and will need to complete your application to be approved for your new home. Once your application is completed online, the tenancy manager will verify the following: 

• All income stated on the application form is correct 
• 100 points of identification 
• Referee details  
• Proof that all household members are Australian citizens or have Australian residency 
• Proof all household members are Victorian residents 
• That you do not own property. 

If successful, you will be invited to inspect the home.
 

Like a private rental, you will be notified by the tenancy manager if you are successful in getting a new home. 

Once you accept the home, you will need to: 

• Sign the new lease  
• Pay two weeks rent in advance 
• Pay bond 

The application will be an online form. The form will ask for basic contact details, household details (including combined household income), address and employment history. Applicants will need to enter all details of people who will live in the home, even if they only live at the home part time. 

A completed application will include: 

• Names, address(es) and contact details for each adult applicant 
• Details of children and pets who will live at the home (if applicable)
• Address and employment history 
• Statement that applicants are residents of Victorian (proof sighted by tenancy manager at Verify stage)
• Statement of Australian residency or citizenship (proof sighted by tenancy manager at Verify stage)
• Proof of income for all adults in the home 
• Asset test – applicants must declare they do not own commercial real estate or another home. 

Current renters and research organisations have told us about the bias in the way homes can be allocated in the private rental market. This bias means that not all renters are treated fairly and equitably. This negatively impacts local communities when people can’t access a safe place to live and reduces renter's choices when they are looking for a new home.

Eligible applicants will be able to apply for a new affordable home through a ballot system. This means that each eligible applicant who applies has an equal chance of being selected through the ballot. Allocating by ballot will remove discrimination and bias and ensure a fair result amongst eligible renters. 

Eligible applications will enter the ballot once per dwelling. This allows all successful, eligible applicants an equal chance of securing their chosen home.

With an initial 2,400 homes, a ballot system provides the fairest means for eligible low to moderate income people to be allocated an Affordable Housing Rental Scheme home.
 

Security and stability of long-term housing for renters is a key priority of the Scheme. Eligible renters can renew lease agreements, where possible, following an eligibility assessment at the end of the first three years.

If a renter becomes ineligible to extend the lease for another term, Homes Victoria will support renters with a longer notice period. Homes Victoria will comply with the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 and relevant recent reforms in the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2018 to support renters’ rights.
 

At this stage, applications will only be received online. In 2023, Homes Victoria and the tenancy manager will work on other ways for renters to apply for homes.