Applications for social housing in Tasmania are made through Housing Connect. Information on this page is about applying for your own social housing property so you can live independently.

Who can apply for social housing?

To apply for social housing, you must:

• live in Tasmania
• be an Australian citizen or a permanent resident, including refugee visa subclasses 200, 201, 202, 203 and 204
• be 16 years or older
• be a low-income earner who is eligible for a Commonwealth Health Care Card
• not own land or a home
• not have financial assets worth more than $35 000 – this includes things such as shares, property and money in the bank. This amount includes your assets and the assets of any other people who live in your household. It does not include things such as your car or your household items.

What happens after I’ve applied?

If you are assessed as eligible for social housing, your application will be added to the Housing Register. This is a list of people who have applied for social housing based on their assessed housing need and wait time.

Social housing providers use this list to match people to appropriate homes when they become available.

Your application will be prioritised based on your assessed need.

Eligible applicants are assessed against four key circumstances:

1. Affordability
2. Homelessness
3. Safety
4. Health and mobility.

We aim to make sure that people in greatest need receive housing offers first.

If you have health and/or mobility issues, ask your health professional to complete the social housing health assessment form (PDF 608.3 KB).

Once your application is on the Housing Register, you will need to wait for a suitable home to become available. Waiting times can vary because of:

• the type of homes that are available
• where you want to live
• your tenant history.

We will contact you when a home becomes available that might be right for you.

How much is the rent in social housing?

Rent for social housing that is for people who are living independently is generally calculated on 25 per cent of the household’s income up to a maximum of market rent but may include up to 100 per cent of Commonwealth Rent Assistance in community housing.

Social housing options with support attached to the accommodation charge board that includes rent and a payment for the services provided to residents.

If you or a household member have no income, in most cases Housing Connect will assess you as though you are receiving a Centrelink benefit. Find out more about how you will be assessed if you have no income with the fact sheet – Clients with no income (PDF 123.9 KB).

Who provides social housing in Tasmania?

The home offered to you might be managed by Homes Tasmania or it might be managed by another social housing provider.

Social housing providers in Tasmania include:

• Homes Tasmania
• Community Housing Limited
• Housing Choices Tasmania
• Loreto Community Housing
• Mission Australia Housing
• Salvation Army Housing
• Wintringham.

What do social housing providers do?

Social housing providers are like a real estate agent or landlord in the private rental market. They will:

• collect the rent
• make sure the home is being looked after
• arrange any necessary maintenance of the home
• follow up on any problems you are having.

My circumstances have changed. What do I do?

If your circumstances change – for example if your income or the size of your household changes – it may change the type of housing you are eligible for.

It is important to keep your information up to date so we can match you to a home that suits your current needs.

If you are already living in social housing and your circumstances have changed so that your current home is no longer suitable, you can apply to transfer to another social housing property.

Find out more about applying to transfer to another social housing home with the fact sheet – Transfers (PDF 129.1 KB).

To update your information, or to cancel your application, please call Housing Connect on 1800 800 588.