Our customers
Housing pathways
Everyone deserves a safe, secure place to call home
CHL provides a range of housing types across the country and how you apply for a home depends on your eligibility and where you live. You can discover more information as a potential applicant on this page.
Our housing types
Discover more about the pathways available to access each housing type we offer
Affordable housing
View eligibility criteria and apply for available affordable properties through our social enterprise real estate agency Horizon Housing Realty (HHR). You can also find out more information about current affordable housing listings via the HHR website.
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)
Detailed information about our SDA homes can be found here. You can also view available SDA listings on Housing Hub or GoNest.
Social housing
The entry point to apply for social housing is through the relevant government agency in your State or Territory. Approved applicants are then listed on the state register to be matched to a vacancy as they become available. Read more information about the process for social housing applicants below.
Social housing applicants
The general process and requirements for social housing applicants involves you to:
- Understand your need: social housing properties are in high demand and are allocated to people who are eligible and in the highest need. There may be other products and services more suitable to your need. Check your eligibility and personal circumstances with your local state government housing office to make an informed choice about your options.
- Complete an application: you will be required to complete an application form with your local state government housing office or their nominated organisation. You will need to provide information about your citizenship and residency status, income and assets, and your reasons for needing housing. Some agencies may require you to attend an appointment to discuss your eligibility and housing needs. If you are not approved, you may need to consider your rights to appeal or alternative housing options, such as affordable housing or private housing assistance products and services.
- Nominate community housing: at the time you apply for housing, you may be required to nominate whether you would like to be housed in public housing, community housing or Aboriginal housing. If you accept community housing, you may be referred to CHL or other community housing providers when a suitable property becomes available.
- Provide a referral contact: when a property matching your needs becomes available, a referral is made to the community housing provider. It is important to keep your information up to date and ensure you respond to a provider’s check-in when your referral is received.
- Participate in an interview: we will generally want to speak with you to understand your household circumstances and ensure the available property meets your needs. This may include an inspection of the property and an interview at our office.
- Accept offer of housing: if the available property meets your needs, you will be made an offer of housing and will be required to accept the property and sign the lease within a reasonable period of time.
Emergency housing options and support resources
Social housing is not emergency accommodation.
If you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, there are other services that can help you. These are generally referred to as emergency or crisis accommodation programs, which your state housing agency can refer you, along with many other housing support products and services.
You can also visit Services Australia or Ask Izzy for emergency options and support.
Frequently asked questions
How do social housing vacancies get allocated?
Vacancies are offered to applicants based on availability, suitability and need. This includes location, number of bedrooms and property features. For example, if a one-bedroom disability accessible property becomes vacant, a suitable match would be a single person (or couple) who uses a mobility device or wheelchair and is at risk of homelessness in the highest need category.
Can I see the property?
Yes, we encourage you to view the property before you decide to accept or decline it to ensure it meets your needs.
What happens if I refuse an offer of housing?
In some cases, refusing an offer of housing without a reason could impact your category of need. We encourage you to discuss this with your local government housing office before you make a decision.
What happens if I accept an offer?
If you accept an offer of housing with CHL, we will assist you with planning for your new tenancy, such as accessing a bond loan where applicable and understanding your tenancy obligations. We will make an appointment to sign your lease agreement and provide you with the keys to your new home.
NSW and NT resources
Useful resources for those looking to apply for social housing and other housing options and support.
QLD and SA resources
Useful resources for those looking to apply for social housing and other housing options and support.
TAS, VIC and WA resources
Useful resources for those looking to apply for social housing and other housing options and support.
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