Reviewing clients on the register

A client's eligibility for social housing may be reviewed by MSD at any time while they are on the register. This is to make sure clients with the greatest housing need are housed first.

Clients on the register are reviewed regularly to:

• establish if they still need social housing
• determine if their details are current
• determine if their circumstances have changed and
• promote alternative appropriate housing solutions

If a client has had a change in circumstances likely to affect or alter their priority rating, housing needs (property requirements), or rate of indicative Income Related Rent, their application must be reviewed.

The client must be advised if the outcome of the review changes their priority rating or housing needs (requirements).

If a client no longer requires social housing, they must be removed from the register.

From 1 July 2023, most types of Child Support are included as assessable income when determining whether a client qualifies for social housing. For more information see: Child Support is assessable income from 1 July 2023

For clients on the register, Child Support is included as assessable income at their next review or assessment on or after 1 July 2023.

Only Child Support the client gets for a payment or liability period on or after 1 July 2023, is included as assessable income.

Example

Adrian has been on the register since March 2023 with a priority rating of A20.

On 8 August 2023, Adrian contacts MSD as one of his nephews has come into his care on a permanent basis. 

MSD needs to review Adrian's housing need, including his priority rating and indicative Income Related Rent.

As part of this review, MSD asks Adrian about his income, including whether he is getting Child Support.

Adrian confirms he is getting Child Support for one of his own children of $45 a week under a private arrangement.

The most recent payment he got was on 6 August 2023 and he confirms the arrangement is expected to continue until further notice (a permanent arrangement).

As Adrian gets Child Support for a payment period on or after 1 July 2023, MSD needs to include Adrian's Child Support as assessable income for the review of his priority rating and his expected rate of Income Related Rent.

When a client cannot be contacted during an application register review, we do not know if the client is still eligible to be allocated social housing.

A client cannot be referred to a housing provider until their circumstances have been confirmed.

When a client's eligibility cannot be confirmed, they must be removed from the register.