Under the Victorian Governments Strategy for Growth in Housing for low income Victorians’ Initiative, the agency was the first to be registered as an affordable housing association (AHA), funded to provide choice, flexibility and increased availability of affordable housing that will further expand our footprint into this exciting and challenging area of complementary service delivery.

LMHS acknowledges the debilitating effect the lack of affordable housing has on those affected and upon local economies, and the exciting possibilities identified through the AHA initiative.

LMHS has developed a strategy to bring about the expansion of affordable housing across Regional Victoria. At present 184 houses of two, three and four bedroom configuration have been constructed within the Loddon Mallee Region. Locations include Ballarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine, Echuca, Frankston, Geelong, Kyneton, Mildura, Swan Hill, Traralgon and Warrnambool. The first of the houses will be available for tenancy in April 2006.

The location and configuration of the houses has been determined by a combination of rental waiting list data and significant discussions with Councils, Area Consultative Committees and local stakeholder personnel predominately responding to labour shortage realities.

Affordable Housing differs from public housing in that LMHS own, maintain and manage housing units. LMHS is not a state government agency, but a not for profit housing association limited by guarantee. LMHS relies on rental incomes and maintaining the value of our houses in order to service debt finance obligations. Tenants will be required to sign a rental agreement that includes the maintenance of the housing unit and landscaped property.

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The eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Applicants are required to be residents of the area where housing is sought, have substantiated links within the area or be seeking to relocate due to secured employment.
• The primary applicant/s must be a low to moderate income person/s. Low to moderate income is capped at $86,079 as defined by the Office of Housing guidelines. In addition, applicants are required to be eligible for at least $1.00 payment of rental assistance under the Commonwealth Government scheme.
• Realisable assets must not exceed $30,000 in value for general households. Households that require major or full disability modifications may not exceed $60,000 in realisable assets.

• Employment
• Education, training or apprenticeships and/or
• Are planning relocation to pursue and/or enhance employment opportunities.

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For more information on Eligibility, Application and Rental policy please click the corresponding links.

Eligibility Self Assessment
Application Form
Rental Policy

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2 Bedroom Houses

• Built in robes to both bedrooms
• 105m2 of living space
• Quality floor coverings and window furnishing
• Single or double lock-up garage
• 5 star energy rating
• Consultant chosen interior colours
• Water wise, low maintenance, native landscaped gardens.

3 and 4 Bedroom Houses

• Walk in robe and ensuite to master bedroom
• 150m2 to 175m2 of living space
• Open plan kitchen/meals/family room
• Single or double lock-up garage
• 5 star energy rating
• Consultant chosen interior colours
• Water wise, low maintenance, native landscaped gardens.

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