Community housing is rental housing for people on very low, low to moderate incomes who are struggling to find suitable accommodation in the private rental market. Community housing is managed by a community housing provider, such as New Beginnings Foundation.
Eligibility criteria vary depending on the program (social, transitional, or affordable). Generally, applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents, demonstrate a housing need, and meet income and asset thresholds.
You can apply by completing an online application form or contacting us to request a paper application. You’ll need to provide information for example, about your household, income, and current housing situation.
Wait times vary depending on the demand for housing in your area and the availability of suitable properties. We assess applications based on need and priority, not just the date of application.
New Beginnings Foundation aims to make rent as affordable as possible. We follow government community housing rent policies, which vary by state and territory. Your rent is reviewed bi-annually. Here’s how your rent might be calculated:
For social housing: Rent is typically 25-30% of your household income, plus any government rental assistance you receive.
For affordable housing: Rent may be set below market rates for similar properties in your area.
We understand that everyone’s financial situation is different. Our team will work with you to determine the most affordable rent calculation for your circumstances.
We can connect you with support services to help you maintain your tenancy, such as financial counselling, case management, and community engagement programs.
Your rights and responsibilities are set out in a residential tenancy agreement between you and New Beginnings, and in New Beginnings Foundaiton’s Forms and Guidelines. These are important documents for you to read. Many of your rights and responsibilities will be the same as any tenant in the private rental market. You can access resources and information about private rental rights on the following websites:
New South Wales: https://www.nsw.gov.au/housing-and-construction/renting-a-place-to-live
Western Australia: https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-communities/department-of-communities-housing-rights-and-responsibilities-of-tenants
South Australia: https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/housing/renting-and-letting
Key differences, however, relate to how to apply, how much rent you will pay, how often your rent is reviewed, and ongoing eligibility requirements. If you have any specific questions about the differences, please contact us.
You are required to keep us updated about any changes in your circumstances, such as changes to your income, household size, or contact details. Please see our Change of Circumstances Guidelines and our Change of Circumstances Form for further details.
We understand that pets are part of the family! Pet policies can vary from property to property. To find out about specific pet rules for the home you’re interested in, please get in touch with us.
We’re committed to addressing your concerns. Please share your feedback or complaint with us by phone, email, or in writing. Our guidelines and forms can be found here. We will work with you to resolve any issues fairly and efficiently.
The length of your lease depends on the type of housing you are eligible for:
For affordable housing: Your initial lease is for a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of 3 years. This may be extended at New Beginnings Foundation’s discretion, provided you haven’t broken any terms of your tenancy agreement, and you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
For transitional housing: Your lease is for a minimum of 3 months and can be extended up to a maximum of 18 months. You must continue to meet the income and asset requirements and have an active tenancy plan in place throughout this period.
For social housing: Your initial lease is for 12 months. It can continue beyond that period depending on your ongoing eligibility and whether you are meeting the terms of your tenancy agreement.
We encourage you to discuss your individual circumstances with our team to understand the specific lease terms that apply to you. For more details, please refer to our guidelines.
New Beginnings acknowledges the importance of providing tenants with a fair and transparent process to appeal decisions related to their tenancy. Please read our Appeals Guidelines for information on what types of decisions can be appealed and the procedure for making an appeal.
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Contact Us
Corporate Details
New Beginnings Foundation Limited
ACN
672 814 363
Co-Type
Limited by Guarantee, unlisted public company
Main Business
Charitable not-for-profit, housing - community housing provider, supporting survivors of domestic abuse, currently applying for ACNC registration.
