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 South East Queensland.
Mission Australia and The Salvation Army are delivering this service 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
Current service participants of Housing and/or Domestic and Family Violence Services.
Please ask your Case Manager to contact us. If you don’t have a Case Manager, we can connect you to one.
Eligibility criteria
1. Women are referred by a Housing and/or Domestic and Family Violence Service (HDFVS). Services need to ensure continuity of care for women throughout the tenancy. This ensures appropriate risk assessments are already in place and the referring service has a commitment to support the woman during her tenancy.
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. Women must be able to afford a weekly rental of at least $400 (this would be for 1 bedroom).
4. Applications need to be submitted within 5 days – before rentals are advertised online, or so applications are prioritised alongside others.
Referral process
Referrals are received from Housing and/or Domestic and Family Violence Service (HDFVS) in SEQ.
Mission Australia and The Salvation Army will coordinate support for eligible women if their current HDFVS cannot provide ongoing, structured support. A woman can choose when case management support is no longer required.
HDFVS please note that Property Managers are not accepting tenancy applications that are 40-50% of a woman’s income (regular and/or Centerlink income). There is some project funding for rental subsidies. 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 woman looking for a private rental?
Please first contact your Case Manager. If you don’t have a Case Manager, we can help connect you to one who can share available rentals and help you with your application. Applications for Priority Project rentals need to be completed quickly and are subject to your eligibility – please review the criteria above.
Are you a property manager?
If you are a property Manager - you are our most valuable and critical partners and we are keen to work together! Supporting this project does not mean great changes to your normal processes. In fact, it may reduce time spent securing tenants.
Please reach out, especially when existing tenancies are due to end, such as when a tenant is being asked to vacate. Property owners who wish to participate can voluntarily offer their properties to the Private Rentals Register.