Are you a young person struggling to pay rent?
If you are a young person (16 – 24 years old) who is studying or working and you’re struggling to make ends meet with your rent, or if you are worried about becoming homeless, there are programs available to help.
Government funded programs like Rent Choice Youth, can make it easier for you to afford housing while you focus on your education or job training, helping you to become independent in the future.
How Rent Choice Youth Works
Rent Choice Youth is a program that helps young people to afford a place to live. Here’s how it works:
- What You Pay: For the first 12 months, you’ll pay 25% of your weekly income towards rent. If you get any Commonwealth Rent Assistance, you’ll also use that for rent.
- What the Government Pays: The NSW Government covers the rest of the rent through Communities and Justice Housing (DCJ Housing).
- Support for Your Future: This program allows you to focus on studying or finding a job, without worrying about your rent. The goal is to help you finish your studies and focus on building a career so in the future, you’ll be able to rent on your own.
- Gradual Changes: Over time, the amount you pay will slowly increase. This helps you get used to paying full rent in the future.
Here are some other programs that can also assist you:
- Rent Choice – Helps cover rent for up to three years for those aged 16–24 who are homeless or at risk.
- Rentstart Bond Loan – Provides an interest-free loan to help with part or all of your rental bond.
- Advance Rent – Offers a grant for up to two weeks’ rent to help you get started in a new home.
- Tenancy Guarantee – Covers any unpaid rent or damage to the property beyond the bond amount.
- Tenancy Assistance – Provides up to four weeks’ rent for rent arrears.
Social Futures Connecting Home program can connect you to these rental support programs. We can also connect you to other supports you might need.
For more details, reach out to the Connecting Home team at 1800 719 625 or [email protected].
