Homeswest’s RENTAL FUNCTION

Homeswest’s major business is the provision of rental accommodation for low and moderate income-earners. As at June 30 2005, the organisation has 34,870 rental properties housing approximately 67,260 people. During 2004/2005 close to 4071 households moved into Homeswest accommodation.

While Homeswest’s stock accounts for 4.53% of total housing by tenure in Western Australia there are much greater concentrations in particular areas such as in the Kimberley where the Ministry’s presence is as high as 16.7%.

Homeswest provides rental housing for low-income households who are often unable to obtain secure and affordable accommodation in the private rental sector. Special needs groups such as Aborigines, aged, people with disabilities and singles are also not well catered for and often face discrimination by private sector landlords.

POLICY RENTAL MANUAL

The first edition of the manual was published in 1990 and has just undergone its first major revision. The main objective of the first manual was to bring together all the policies relating to rental housing so that Homeswest staff and community groups could ensure that the Department’s customers received the best service available.

Experience since 1990 has shown the importance of having all of the rental policies in one manual. This has assisted in making the application of Homeswest rental policy more consistent across the organisation and has helped community organisations to better understand our policies.

Rental Policy is updated from time to time as the need arises and is published and updated on the Department of Housing and Works Internet site www.dhw.wa.gov.au

LAYOUT OF THE MANUAL

The manual is divided into various policy categories. Within each category all policy aspects are set out down the left-hand side of the page with the related guidelines and procedures on the right-hand side. Where appropriate, examples of implementation of the policy are given under “guidelines and practices”.

PROCESS

Homeswest now reviews policy continuously. The version appearing on the Department’s Internet site should be taken as current.

FREE TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Homeswest provides toll free numbers for customers. These are:
Aboriginal Housing Directorate – 1800 621 826
Head Office – 1800 093 325
Kununurra Office – 1800 646 960
Karratha Office – 1800 631 320
After Hours Maintenance – 1800 193 320
Customer Service Feedback – 1800 628 165

SPECIALISED SERVICES

E-mail: info@housing.wa.gov.au

TTY phone – (08) 9221 3985

Customers wishing to speak to a country office, which will require an STD call, can ring Head Office and be transferred to that office at Homeswest's expense.