Impact on the client and their family

When considering whether to make a Bond Grant, MSD must consider the likely impacts on the client, their partner (if any), and their dependent children (if any) if the client's accommodation need is not met.

MSD should consider what other accommodation or options are available to the client if they do not get the grant.

Factors that MSD may consider include (but are not limited to) if:

• the client is likely to require emergency housing if assistance is not granted
• the client will need to stay in accommodation that is close to a perpetrator of violence if assistance is not granted
• the client will need to stay in accommodation that is near drug use or gang related activity if assistance is not granted
• the client can afford any of their other options
• there are enough bedrooms in the other accommodation option/s
• the client is likely to stay in suitable accommodation if they do not get the grant
• the client is a reasonable distance from work, school or essential services if assistance is not granted
• their other options meet the accessibility needs the client, partner (if any), or their children (if any) may have

MSD must assess each client's circumstances on a case-by-case basis and determine how significant any impacts on the client's family will be.

Sam lives with their partner and two children. Their current tenancy is ending due to the landlord selling the property. Sam has applied for a Bond Grant to move into a cabin in a campground near her old tenancy. The cabin is suitably sized and appropriate for her family.

Sam and their family have an option to stay with their brother that would have a lower weekly accommodation cost for Sam, however it would take over an hour and a half for Sam to get to work and to their children's school during peak traffic times. MSD and Sam agree that the impacts on her family to travel and pay for travel costs will be significant, and MSD grants Housing Support Product assistance for the cabin.

MSD can consider the impacts that having a pet would have on the client and their family. This could also include the impact if the family were unable to keep a pet. However, this also needs to be considered alongside the client's decision to adopt a pet and appropriate planning and budgeting for this decision.

Note the definition of pet in the legislation excludes a disability assist dog and a person does not need consent for these animals. A disability assist dog is a dog certified by an authorised organisation as being a dog that has been trained (or is being trained) to assist a person with a disability.