Rent Choice Youth

Rent Choice Youth provides short to medium-term private rental assistance for people aged between 16 and 24 years who do not have a stable place to live.

Rent Choice Youth supports people by:

• helping them find a safe and affordable place to rent
• paying a portion of their rent for up to 36 months, and
• referring them to support services for education and employment support to help them become financially independent.

Clients must be connected with a support provider who will help them to identify and achieve education and employment goals.

Who is Rent Choice Youth for?

You may be eligible for Rent Choice Youth if you are:

• 16 to 24 years old
• homeless or at risk of being homeless, such as couch surfing or staying in a shelter or boarding house
• eligible for social housing
• committed to pursuing education, training and employment
• engaged with a support provider, and willing to stay engaged, and
• on low income or enrolled in studies.

Speak to your support provider to see if Rent Choice Youth is right for you.

How can I access Rent Choice Youth?

Complete an online application for housing assistance at facs.nsw.gov.au or call the Housing Contact Centre on 1800 422 322. Then speak with a support provider about a referral to Rent Choice Youth.

Where do I find a support provider?

To be assessed for Rent Choice Youth, you need to be referred by a participating support provider. Click the links below to reach out to a support provider near you.

Hunter New England and Central Coast District

• Armidale
• Moree and Narrabri
• Newcastle
• Tamworth
• Wyong

Western Sydney and Nepean Blue Mountains District

• Parramatta, Blacktown and Mount Druitt
• Penrith

Northern NSW and Mid North Coast District

• Coffs Harbour
• Lismore

South Eastern Sydney, Northern Sydney & Sydney Districts

• Inner City
• Inner West
• North Sydney
• St George and Sutherland Shire

South Western Sydney District

• Liverpool

Illawarra Shoalhaven and Southern NSW District

• Goulburn/Yass
• Queanbeyan/Eurobodalla
• Wollongong

Murrumbidgee, Far West and Western NSW District

• Albury
• Bathurst
• Dubbo
• Orange
• Wagga Wagga

Is there an income test?

To receive Rent Choice Youth, you must be eligible for social housing. One of the eligibility criteria is that your household must be within social housing income eligibility limits. This is dependent on your household size, type and gross household income.

When we calculate your subsidy, we include the full amount of Commonwealth Rent Assistance as income, even if you haven’t applied for it or are not receiving it.

You must let your social housing provider know within 28 days if there are any changes to your circumstances, including changes in income.

Is there an assets test?

You can receive Rent Choice Youth if you have assets but can’t access them right now because of circumstances beyond your control. For example, you might have a trust or inheritance that you cannot access.

Youth Share

Rent Choice Youth clients may also be eligible for help to share accommodation with other young people. For more information on Youth Share go to the Rent Choice policy .

What help will I receive?

A Rent Choice Youth subsidy is calculated according to your income. For the first 12 months, you pay 25% of your weekly household income plus 100% of any Commonwealth Rent Assistance you may be entitled to.

Once you have paid your share of the rent, we will pay the rest directly to your landlord or real estate agent. This is called a subsidy.

The amount you pay will gradually increase after 12 months, but we’ll chat to you about this closer to the time.

Your support provider will help you to achieve your employment and educational objectives. The goal is for you to get a job and increase your income, which will help you to rent privately without our help after Rent Choice Youth ends.

When your income increases, your share of the rent will be adjusted accordingly.

Rent Choice clients may also receive:

• Get Started: up to $850 for approved Rent Choice clients to help pay for a holding deposit on a property and costs associated with searching for and securing private rental accommodation such as transport, clothing and haircuts and photocopying ID; and
• Brokerage: for Rent Choice clients once they sign a tenancy agreement, to help pay for goods and services to set up a new home such as furniture, moving costs and study costs.

Rent Choice Youth clients can also apply for other types of private rental assistance, including:

• Tenancy Facilitation: help to search and apply for private rental properties.
• Private Rental Brokerage Service: help for eligible clients with complex needs to secure and sustain private rental accommodation.
• Bond Extra: a guarantee of up to $1,500 over the rental bond amount that may be paid to landlords or agents if there are rental arrears and/or property damage when a Residential Tenancy Agreement ends.
• Rentstart Bond Loan: an interest free loan to help you pay up to four weeks’ bond.
• Advance Rent: a grant to help pay for 1-2 weeks rent in advance at the start of your tenancy, provided in conjunction with Rentstart Bond Loan.

How will I know if the property is affordable?

A subsidy will only be approved for private rental accommodation that is considered affordable. A property is considered affordable if the rent is no more than 50% of your income plus any Commonwealth Rent Assistance you may be entitled to receive.

You might receive a bigger subsidy in certain areas where the rent is higher.

How long will I receive help for?

Initially, the subsidy will be paid for three months and can be paid for up to 36 months (maximum). Every three months, we will review your need for the subsidy and see if you need more support.

Helpful contacts

If you need more information or support, contact your local Homes NSW office or call:

• Housing Contact Centre 1800422 322
• Link2home Homelessness ‍1800 152 152
• Domestic Violence Line ‍1800 656 463
• Child Protection Helpline ‍13 21 11

You can also visit facs.nsw.gov.au for more information.