❓ Mr. Waldron questions the adequacy of asset limits for public housing eligibility, particularly for elderly residents in rural areas. The Minister acknowledges the concerns and requests further information from the Department of Housing and Works.
AnsweredQoN 2956Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(a) how long has it been since the Department of Housing and Works has reviewed the eligibility critieria, given an average country home now sells for more than $150,000;
(b) does the Minister concede that in the current economic climate, the limit of $80,000 needs to be reviewed, so that elderly country people can stay in their own communities;
(c) is the Minister aware that half of the 40 applicants for the Wagin Cottage Homes are now ineligible for public rental housing as they have cash assets in excess of $80,000 since selling their family homes; and
(d) when will the Department of Housing and Works increase the criteria for the amount of cash assets, and how much will it be increased to?
(b) does the Minister concede that in the current economic climate, the limit of $80,000 needs to be reviewed, so that elderly country people can stay in their own communities;
(c) is the Minister aware that half of the 40 applicants for the Wagin Cottage Homes are now ineligible for public rental housing as they have cash assets in excess of $80,000 since selling their family homes; and
(d) when will the Department of Housing and Works increase the criteria for the amount of cash assets, and how much will it be increased to?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
26 February 2008
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works
Response time
89 days
(a) to (d)
I approved an increase in the Department's income limits for housing assistance schemes in May 2006, the first change in limits since July 1996. The Department of Housing and Works advises that the cash assets criteria were adjusted in 2003 and an additional loading of 40% on income limits continues for all tenants living in North-West and remote regional communities. This loading has been determined based on escalating property values and lack of affordable private rental properties in those areas and will continue to apply should the income eligibility limits be increased.
Wagin Cottage Homes is liaising with the Department in relation to a housing development that is about to go to tender.
The Department advises that cash assets criteria in Western Australia compare favourably to other jurisdictions, in NSW for example where the maximum allowed cannot exceed $5,000. In Western Australia the current limit of $80,000 is exclusively set for senior 60 years and over including singles and couples. For couples under 60 the limits stand at $63,800 whereas a single applicant under the age of 60 is limited to $38,400.
However, given your specific concerns with seniors and applicants for the Wagin Cottage Homes, I have asked the Department of Housing and Works to provide me with further information.
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I approved an increase in the Department's income limits for housing assistance schemes in May 2006, the first change in limits since July 1996. The Department of Housing and Works advises that the cash assets criteria were adjusted in 2003 and an additional loading of 40% on income limits continues for all tenants living in North-West and remote regional communities. This loading has been determined based on escalating property values and lack of affordable private rental properties in those areas and will continue to apply should the income eligibility limits be increased.
Wagin Cottage Homes is liaising with the Department in relation to a housing development that is about to go to tender.
The Department advises that cash assets criteria in Western Australia compare favourably to other jurisdictions, in NSW for example where the maximum allowed cannot exceed $5,000. In Western Australia the current limit of $80,000 is exclusively set for senior 60 years and over including singles and couples. For couples under 60 the limits stand at $63,800 whereas a single applicant under the age of 60 is limited to $38,400.
However, given your specific concerns with seniors and applicants for the Wagin Cottage Homes, I have asked the Department of Housing and Works to provide me with further information.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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