About
The Priority Project (TPP) involves the prioritisation of private rentals to provide appropriate housing for women who have experienced domestic and family violence in the Nepean and Western Sydney region, NSW.
Mission Australia is delivering this pilot to provide assistance to women can afford a private rental. This involves working with real estate Property Managers to secure a home, plus providing transition and ongoing tenancy sustainment support for women housed. Landlords are asked to prioritise rentals to women who need a hand. This program does not involve headleasing but provides extra support to tenants who sign a Tenancy Agreement independently.
Who we assist
Women led Families who have experience intimate partner violence.
Eligibility criteria
Eligibility criteria
1. Women can be referred by Specialized Homelessness Services and Domestic and Family Violence Services
2. Women applying have enough income to afford weekly payments – this generally means women can afford to spend 30%-40% of their income on rent (see Referral Process).
3. Applications need to be submitted within 5 days – before rentals are advertised online, or so applications are prioritised alongside others.
Referral process
Referral process
Women can be referred by Specialized Homelessness Services and Domestic and Family Violence Services.
A Mission Australia intake worker will work with services to assess eligibility and complete the intake for the program. A woman can choose when case management support is no longer required.
Services please note that Property Managers are not accepting tenancy applications that are 40-50% of a woman’s income (regular and/or Centerlink income). Please don’t submit referrals for women until you confirm they meet the 4 eligibility criteria as we don’t want stakeholders to be disappointed.
Getting involved with The Priority Project
Are you a landlord/property owner?
You can absolutely help by prioritising rental to women who really need a hand - 12 month tenancies are desired. This project is designed to provide extra supports to women (through the project partners) so they can settle and not be 'stuck' without the security of a tenancy - your help is critical in this project. Landlords who are sympathetic, want to be part of the housing and homelessness solution, and who also appreciate the possible advantages to them (such as long-term tenancies and minimal vacancy times), are able to help. In a recent survey, 75% of landlords told us they were interested in prioritising rental to our target women.
Are you a real-estate agent?
If you are a real-estate agent, you can help too. Agents managing properties are a critical partner as it is also you we need across Greater Western Sydney. We know through surveying that landlords are interested in supporting women and this project provides a way to involve new stakeholders to the housing crisis. It can also support your commitments to community impact and does not require significant change to your processes. In fact, it may reduce time spent securing tenants.