Client has caused or contributed to their immediate need before applying for their first Emergency Housing Grant

When a client applies for an Emergency Housing Grant, MSD may consider whether a client has caused or contributed to their immediate housing need.

MSD can decline to pay an Emergency Housing Grant if the client caused or contributed to their immediate emergency housing need (or the situation that has led to the immediate need).

A client has caused or contributed to their immediate emergency housing need if:

• their situation is a result of their own actions (or actions of people they are responsible for) and
• they were reasonably able to predict and prevent the situation

For example, the client may be considered to have caused or contributed to their immediate emergency housing need if they:

• cannot remain in their place of residence due to damaging the property or other anti-social behaviour (e.g. threats, intimidation, drug or alcohol abuse)
• cannot remain in their place of residence because they have not paid their rent or board for reasons other than affordability
• left their place of residence and moved to another area without a good reason and before securing accommodation for themselves, their partner and dependent children (if any)
• cannot remain in the emergency housing provided due to instances of damage, theft, or other anti-social behaviour

MSD will also take care when considering whether a client was reasonably able to predict and prevent a situation, as this depends on the client’s individual situation and capacity.

Note people who left their housing due to experiencing family violence will not be considered to have caused or contributed to their immediate emergency housing need.

MSD may consider the following when assessing a client’s non-payment at previous accommodation:

• if the client attempted to make payments (e.g. has the client made any part payments towards their rent or board arrears, or no payments)
• the amount of rent or board arrears
• any previous conversations MSD has had with the client about the need to pay their rent or board and any financial assistance granted to the client to assist (e.g. Housing Support Products)
• any previous history of not paying rent or board MSD is aware of

Examples of reasons for not paying rent or board include:

• intentional non-payment or
• insufficient income to pay their rent or board or
• an unforeseen event that led to the client not being able to pay

Example - client has intentionally not paid their board

Joy is getting Jobseeker Support and has recently received budgeting advice. As part of her budget, Joy has agreed with MSD the portion of her income that can be used to cover her board.

Over the last three months Joy continued to use the portion of her income she’d allocated to her board costs for other, non-essential activities. As a result, she is now in arrears with her head tenant.

Joy made no attempt to pay the board arrears and did not contact MSD to check if she would qualify for assistance that could help her pay the arrears.

3 weeks ago, the head tenant asked her to leave, and she has been sleeping on her friend’s couch since then. Staying with her friend is no longer an option, and Joy applies for an emergency housing grant.

MSD decides Joy has caused (or contributed) to her immediate emergency housing need, as she knowingly used the income she allocated for board on other, non-essential activities.

MSD can decline Joy’s application for an Emergency Housing Grant.