What is Rent Choice Youth?
Rent Choice Youth (RCY) is a program that is offered by DCJ Housing to assist young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness to transition into and maintain a tenancy in the private rental market.
How does it work?
For the first 12 months, the young person pays 25% of their weekly income plus 100% of any Commonwealth Rent Assistance they may be entitled to get.
Once they have paid their part of the rent, the Housing Department pays the rest directly to the landlord or real estate agent.
The aim of the program is to support young people to gain employment and increase their income so they can afford to rent privately without any assistance.
The amount a young person pays towards their rent will go up gradually after 12 months to help with this transition process.
Once they have paid their part of the rent, the Housing Department pays the rest directly to the landlord or real estate agent.
The aim of the program is to support young people to gain employment and increase their income so they can afford to rent privately without any assistance.
The amount a young person pays towards their rent will go up gradually after 12 months to help with this transition process.
Who can apply for this program?
This program goes for up to 3 years and is suitable and available for anyone who:
- Is aged 16-24 years
- Is working and/or studying or willing to work towards the goals of RCY with support
- Is a low income earner – earning less than $650/week (before tax)
- Is an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident
- Doesn't have their own place to live (might be sleeping on a couch at a friend’s place, in a shelter or boarding house or is at risk of homelessness)
- Is struggling to pay rent each week in their current property
What kind of support does Allambi Care provide?
Allambi Care is an active member of the RCY program and provides outreach support to young people who are currently engaged with it.
As part of this, the young person will be assigned a caseworker who will maintain regular contact with them and offer additional support and guidance where necessary to address any barriers or concerns. Allambi’s services through the program can include, but are not limited to:
We are also available to support both the young person as the tenant, and the real estate, to address any issues that may arise throughout the course of the tenancy.
Find out more
As part of this, the young person will be assigned a caseworker who will maintain regular contact with them and offer additional support and guidance where necessary to address any barriers or concerns. Allambi’s services through the program can include, but are not limited to:
- Outreach and case management support – assisting the young person achieve their goals surrounding safe and stable housing, employment, education, health and wellbeing
- Training – helping the young person understand their rights and responsibilities as a tenant through completing the Rent It Keep It course
- Budgeting support
- Tenancy assistance and advice
- Collaborative work with real estates and advocating on the young person's behalf to help secure a property
We are also available to support both the young person as the tenant, and the real estate, to address any issues that may arise throughout the course of the tenancy.
Find out more