YOUTH POLICY

PREAMBLE
Homeswest defines youth as being persons between 15 and 25 years of age. The various Homeswest programs have a different age limits for eligibility.
There has been some controversy as to whether persons under the age of 18 years of age have the legal ability to sign a contract such as a tenancy agreement. However, Homeswest’s legal advice is that where the object of the contract is deemed to be a necessity of life, as is housing, a contract with a person under the age of 18 years is legally binding.
In any such instance, Homeswest will view a tenancy agreement for public rental housing agreement with a person under the age of 18 years as legally binding and subject to the same responsibilities as persons over the age of 18 years.
The Community Housing Program (CHP), which is administered by Homeswest, operates some programs which are for youth and which are not included here. For information relating to these programs, contact the administrator on 08 9222 4784.
POLICY

GUIDELINES & PRACTICES
Public Rental Housing
1. Applicants for public rental housing must be 17 years of age or above.
1.1 Applicants may make application for assistance but will not be housed until they are 18 years of age.
2. Applicants who are between 16 and 17 years of age will have their application assessed by management, according to available information regarding housing need.
2.2 Factors included in an assessment are:
  • Income of applicant (e.g. an independent income such as Sole Parent, Youth Allowance, wages)
  • Supports available (e.g. family, SHAP)
Viable housing options (bond, living at home)


POLICY

GUIDELINES & PRACTICES
Supporting Parents
3. Supporting Parents under 18 years of age may request special consideration be given to their application for housing prior to turning 18 years.




Youth Externally Supported Housing Program (YES Housing ) Fremantle Regional Externally Supported Housing (FRESH)
4. Applicants for public rental housing may be eligible for the YES Housing, or the FRESH programs.
 3.1 Assessing factors are:
  • Needs of the child
  • Homelessness (Definition – person without their own tenancy or lodgings, no fixed abode, residing in a refuge or a place designated as temporary shelter).
  • Support letters from doctor/community or government agencies
  • Income of applicant
  • Support available

4.1 YES Housing is managed by Anglicare, who provide the support and administrative component of the program. Homeswest provides and maintains the property.
Eligibility criteria
  • Homelessness
  • Under 18 years of age when applying for accommodation
  • Have independent income
  • Capable of living independently
For YES Housing, contact youth workers for north of the river on 9321 7033 and for the south-east on 9362 1557
4.2 FRESH is managed by the Fremantle Regional Externally Supported Housing and supports young families and single people. Homeswest provide and maintain the property.
Eligibility criteria
  • Have independent income
  • Should be requesting initial and ongoing support
  • Under 18 years of age for single (can be negotiated up to 25 years of age)
  • Young families up to 25 years of age.
For FRESH contact Youth Worker on 9432 9824
Housing Access Loan – HAL (Bond Assistance)
5. An applicant for HAL, must be 16 years or above.
Home Loan Assistance
6. Applicants for home ownership, must be 18 years or above.