Affordable Housing Information
Affordable Housing Info
At Chief Housing, we enable people on low incomes to achieve more stability through long-term affordable housing. Many of these people ‘fall through the cracks’ and are unable to compete in the private rental market, especially in large metropolitan cities.
We offer both affordable housing across Greater Sydney.
What is affordable housing?
Affordable housing offers a secure, long-term housing alternative for households who might struggle with private market rents but who might not be able to secure social housing.
The need for affordable housing
As housing costs in Australia continue to rise at a faster rate than the average income rises, many low-income earners are being left behind. Many of our residents are in full-time work in industries such health or have a disability that means they are unable to keep up with rising housing costs.
Housing stress is forcing many more people across Sydney to seek help from charities. Our affordable housing provides households with stability and rent certainty so residents can manage other basic living costs like food, utility bills, health care and transport.
To see if you are eligible for affordable housing, go to our section under Housing info – What you need to know.
FAQs
We’ve put together some common questions people ask us. If you can’t find the answer to a question, please get in touch with one of our helpful staff.
If we haven’t answered your question here, get in touch with one of our helpful staff.
This will depend on the availability of a tradesperson. The sooner you report an issue, the sooner we can fix it but unless it’s an emergency repair (like your hot water system), it could take up to two weeks.
As property tenancy manager, we need to make sure everything is in good order so you can continue to enjoy your property. Often, a small thing like fixing a leak can have a huge environmental impact and save you money.
First, try talking to your neighbour. If this doesn’t have the result you wanted, then call us and speak to one of our helpful staff.
To remain in affordable housing, households must continue to meet the criteria assessed when they originally applied for the affordable housing (around income, needs, and assets). During the tenancy, households must continue to meet these criteria, except for income, where existing tenants are permitted to earn up to 25% above the maximum eligibility income for moderate income before they become illegible.
Affordable housing can be provided for a fixed term or on a continual basis. Leases may be renewed or continued indefinitely provided the tenant remains eligible and eligibility reviews are held on a regular basis.
Your household income limit to be eligible for affordable housing is set by the NSW Government Affordable Housing Ministerial Guidelines. Below are the latest 2023/24 thresholds which are updated annually:
Sydney Region:
| Household Type |
Very Low | Low | Moderate |
| Single | $32,300 | $51,700 | $77,600 |
| Single + 1 | $42,000 | $67,200 | $100,900 |
| Single + 2 | $51,700 | $82,700 | $124,200 |
| Single + 3 | $61,400 | $98,200 | $147,500 |
| Single + 4 | $71,100 | $113,700 | $170,800 |
| Couple | $48,500 | $77,600 | $116,400 |
| Couple + 1 | $58,200 | $93,100 | $139,700 |
| Couple + 2 | $67,900 | $108,600 | $163,000 |
| Couple + 3 | $77,600 | $124,100 | $186,300 |
| Couple + 4 | $87,300 | $139,600 | $209,600 |
Rest of NSW:
| Household Type |
Very Low | Low | Moderate |
| Single | $29,200 | $46,700 | $70,100 |
| Single + 1 | $38,000 | $60,700 | $91,100 |
| Single + 2 | $46,800 | $74,700 | $112,100 |
| Single + 3 | $55,600 | $88,700 | $133,100 |
| Single + 4 | $64,400 | $102,700 | $154,100 |
| Couple | $43,800 | $70,100 | $105,200 |
| Couple + 1 | $52,600 | $84,100 | $126,200 |
| Couple + 2 | $61,400 | $98,100 | $147,200 |
| Couple + 3 | $70,200 | $112,100 | $168,200 |
| Couple + 4 | $79,000 | $126,100 | $189,200 |
In affordable housing, rent is most often 70-80% of the market rent (private rental market) in your suburb or area.
Important Housing Info: Eligibility and approvals
In this section, we cover the most important information you need to determine your eligibility. We also go through the application and approvals processes step by step.
Am I eligible for affordable housing?
Many factors influence whether you are eligible for affordable housing.
The key factor for eligibility is whether you are a person in need, either through poverty or other misfortune.
These include:
- One person at least per household must have an income from employment.
- Your total household income before tax must not be more than the range for income eligibility, as stipulated by the NSW Government Affordable Housing Ministerial Guidelines which are updated from time to time.
- You must be able to demonstrate your need for affordable housing and your attempts to find suitable housing in the private sector.
- You will receive more favourable consideration if you live in the area already or have family and friends there.
- You should not own property or have assets you could use to find suitable housing.
- You must be an Australian citizen or have permanent residency of Australia.
- You must live in New South Wales (noting that our aim is to expand operations to the rest of Australia at a later date).
- You should be able to prove you can manage your tenancy by offering references from previous landlords.
How do I apply and get approved?
If you are a low income earner, you could be eligible for one of our affordable housing properties. Chief Housing designs, builds and manages affordable homes across the Greater Sydney region.
The following sections contain important information you need to read and understand before you apply for an affordable property.
Policies & Procedures
Under the Residential Tenancies Act, you and we need to ensure, among other things, that you and others, with mutual respect and cooperation, continue to enjoy living in your community.
For information on your responsibilities as a tenant and our responsibilities, see the the NSW Government Communities & Justice website.
