Our Housing

As of 30 June 2024, Homes North managed over 2,700 properties across the New England North West region of NSW, under a range of programs.  Much of Homes North’s portfolio comprise head lease contracts to manage Land and Housing Corporation properties for the purpose of social housing. We have provided a breakdown of our property portfolio by program area.

The capital program allows Community Housing providers to head lease Land and Housing Corporation owned properties, and sublet to eligible social housing clients. Homes North collects all rents and pays all expenses associated with the properties and is responsible for all aspects of long term asset maintenance planning. This includes Social Housing Management Transfer properties operating under a 20 year lease contract with NSW Government.

These are properties that are owned by Homes North which have either been acquired or developed by leveraging assets transferred with the Stimulus Program. The properties are let to households on low to moderate incomes, who pay rent at 20% less than the market rate so that they are able to meet other basic costs of living without experiencing rental stress (rental stress is defined as paying more than 30% of your income on rent).

The leasehold program provides a subsidy for Homes North to rent in the private market and then sublet to a low income household at a reduced rent.

Homes North contracts where we provide tenancy and property management services on a fee-for-service basis. This arm is managed separately from our Community Housing portfolio and caters to the needs of the client. These services are only provided to organisations with social and affordable housing, and include the Aboriginal Housing Office (Employment Related Accommodation), Eekinar Aboriginal Housing, Armidale Local Aboriginal Land Council properties, and Mrangalli Aboriginal Corporation.

These are properties where title was transferred from Land and Housing Corporation to Homes North for the express purpose of providing Homes North with the capacity to leverage against the transferred to procure additional social housing. Caveats on title ensure these properties are used for the purpose of Social Housing.

Housing Solutions

Temporary Accommodation
Homes North offers clients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, paid temporary accommodation in either hotels, motels or caravan parks. During their stay we work with the client to find more permanent housing and make referrals to support agencies where necessary.

Tenancy Facilitation
Homes North staff remain in close and supportive contact with clients who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, to help them with services and support to find a suitable housing solution. We also offer advocacy with landlords and support agencies, particularly when those relationships have previously broken down.

Rent Choice Start Safely
Homes North provides rental subsidies for our clients escaping domestic and family violence, and brokerage for relocation and re-establishment assistance through the Rent Choice Start Safely program.

Rent Choice Youth
Through the Rent Choice Youth (RCY) program, Homes North can provide subsidies for private rental support with wraparound services to young people who are engaged with, or who are willing to undertake study or work. There is also provision for brokerage support through the RCY program.

Bond Extra
Through Bond Extra, Homes North can guarantee an additional bond to landlords, giving them confidence to offer a private rental property to one of our clients.

Rent Assist
With Rent Assist, Homes North can provide up to four weeks rent to a client when they have fallen into arrears in a private rental.

Housing Register
Homes North can assist and assess clients to be listed for Social Housing. Where there is complexity in clients’ circumstances, for example mobility issues, we assess for Priority Housing.

Together Home Program
With the Together Home Program, Homes North aims to move very vulnerable people from street sleeping into a tenancy, with the support of additional wraparound services.

HYPAR (Helping Youth Progress, Achieve, Retain)
Through our partnership with Joblink Plus, Homes North is able to offer HYPAR for exceptionally vulnerable youth with complex issues who are not yet eligible for the RCY program. They are provided with internal case management with the support of external stakeholders.