Client has caused or contributed to their immediate need while in emergency housing

When a client applies for an Emergency Housing Grant, MSD may consider whether the client has caused or contributed to their immediate emergency housing need. This includes whether the client has caused or contributed to their immediate emergency housing need while staying in emergency housing.

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

If they have, MSD may not be able to pay an Emergency Housing Grant.

A client has 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

A client who applies for a subsequent Emergency Housing Grant may tell MSD they cannot stay at their existing emergency housing supplier because of their actions or the actions of people they are responsible for.

MSD may consider the client has caused or contributed to their immediate emergency housing need if they had to leave their emergency housing because they:

• broke the supplier's rules of stay or
• intentionally damaged the property or
• caused theft or loss or
• showed anti-social behaviour (for example, threats or intimidation)

Before making any decisions about further assistance, MSD needs to:

• verify the client's reason for leaving the existing emergency accommodation and
• confirm the client's view of the issues

It is important accommodation providers report damage, losses, theft, or anti-social behaviour to police when it is warranted.

If the security deposit was approved at the time of the client's stay, accommodation providers can use it to recoup damages for lower-level losses (for example, cutlery and plates and other cooking utensils) or damage.

A single client (no children) getting Jobseeker Support has been staying in emergency housing for over a month. At each grant stage, the client has been advised of the expectations and conditions of payment for emergency housing (including the suppliers rules of stay).

The client confirms they understood and agreed to meet the expectations and conditions of payment while getting an Emergency Housing Grant.

The client applies again for another grant as they continue to meet the qualifications for emergency housing. At the follow-up appointment the client advises they need to change their emergency housing supplier.

The client advises their brother intentionally damaged the motel room during a visit, and the supplier has asked the client to leave the emergency housing accommodation.

The client will not provide further information about how or why the damage occurred.

MSD decides the client has contributed to their immediate emergency housing need because they were unable to stay in the accommodation because of damage to the emergency housing property.

The Emergency Housing Grant can be declined because the client has contributed to their emergency housing need.