Programs

The Catalyst Foundation is an inclusive and independent organisation seeking to improve the lives of all South Australians in the areas of Ageing, Disability, Lifestyle, Employment, Business and Learning.

The service is available to all seniors. They provide information on:

- Housing

- Low cost accommodation

- Independent living and home support

- Retirement housing

- Concessions and benefits

The Catalyst Foundation maintains a searchable retirement housing directory as well as lists of residential parks and supported residential facilities.

For further information contact the Foundation or go to their website.

HomeStart is a State Government organisation that is focused on providing affordable home loans for South Australians.

Homestart has a number of different loans that can reduce your upfront costs and boost your borrowing power.

For further information about their loans and your eligibility contact Homestart or go to their website.

Their website also has a range of easy to use tools and calculators about how much you can borrow and what your repayments may be.

The National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) helps low and moderate income households rent private accommodation at an affordable rate. NRAS offers incentives to private investors to build and rent properties out. NRAS properties are managed by non-government organisations or private real estate managers.

Rent can be no more than 80% of the market value for that area. You can get an indication of how much rent will be in certain areas on the NRAS Rent Guide. The 2018-2019 household income eligibility limits are:

First Adult $50,489

First Sole Parent $53,104

Each Additional Adult $19,315

Each Child $16,748

The website has examples of a family calculation for you to compare.

Further Eligibility Criteria may apply.

A number of organisations administer the scheme in South Australia. See links for full contact details.

This program is for people having difficulty getting a private rental by themselves, who could maintain a private rental with help.

You can be referred to the program after having a service option interview with the SA Housing Authority, having an assessment interview and have attended a Private Rental Liaison Program workshop.

The SA Housing Authority will provide information, practical assistance and support where possible to help maintain a private rental tenancy for up to the first six months of the tenancy.

You may be able to get help from the SA Housing Authority with paying for all or part of a bond and up to two weeks' rent in advance.

This is to help you get a rental property such as a private rental, boarding house & shelters, community housing . For more information about who can apply go to the website below.

You can apply online through the web site below yourself or a support worker can help you apply.

Assistance for rent for people who receive a pension, allowance or benefit or receive more than the base amount of Family Tax Benefit from Commonwealth Government. To be eligible for Rent Assistance, you must be paying more than the minimum amount of rent - refer to the website below for payment rates and further eligibility information.

Provides rental properties for people on lower incomes where tenants typically pay no more than 25% of their income. For further information the Centre is open from 8.30 am - 5.30 pm Monday to Friday and can be contacted on the number provided below.

The Affordable Homes Program gives eligible buyers the opportunity to buy affordable homes in South Australia, before they are available on the open market — meaning low to middle income earners have the opportunity to buy a home for a period of time at a fixed price, without having to compete with investors.

To be among the first to know about available Affordable Homes go to their website and subscribe to their email alert service.

The website has further information on the homes available and eligibility.

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is paid by the State Government to eligible first home owners.

The payment is made only after an application has been submitted and approved.

The grant is a one off payment of up to $15,000 that is for the purchase or construction of a new residential property such as a house, flat, unit, townhouse or apartment anywhere in South Australia.

The residential property must be occupied by you as your principal place of residence for a continuous period of at least six months starting within 12 months of the date of settlement for contracts to purchase, or the date construction is completed for owner builders or contracts to build. Full eligibility requirements and further information are available on the website.