Domestic Violence Policy

Purpose
Domestic Violence
Early allocation
Acceptable Documentary Evidence
Emergency/Interim Protection Orders
Eligible Applicants

• Inter-State applicant
• ACT resident
• Housing ACT tenant and resident
• Refugee or sponsored migrant experiencing domestic violence
• Multiple Relocations
• Waiver of Eligibility Criteria

Review of Housing ACT Decisions

Purpose

This policy outlines the requirements for establishing an applicant's eligibility for early allocation because of domestic violence.

Back to content

Background

Housing ACT is committed to providing Housing ACT assistance to the victims of domestic violence by:

• responding equitably to claims for early allocation due to domestic violence
• providing a consistent approach to claims for early allocation due to domestic violence.

Back to content

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is considered to be behaviour which is offensive or harassing towards a relevant person or causes physical injury, sexual and/or psychological damage, forced isolation, or economic deprivation or behaviour that leaves victims living in fear.

Back to content

Early allocation

An applicant or tenant, seeking to escape a domestic violence situation, may apply for early allocation assistance.

Refer to the Allocation Policy (early allocation section) for additional information.

Back to content

Acceptable Documentary Evidence

An applicant, seeking housing assistance because of domestic violence, must satisfy the program eligibility criteria and demonstrate a need for early allocation by providing documentary evidence to Housing ACT. Documentation must be no more than four weeks old (ie. signed and dated less than four weeks prior to the application) and be an original document from a recognised authority. Examples of supporting documentation acceptable to Housing ACT include:

• a current protection order
• a medical report
• a letter from a solicitor
• a letter from the Police
• a letter from a recognised domestic violence crisis service
• a letter from a relevant welfare service.

Documentation must state the nature of the alleged behaviour and whether it is regarded as domestic violence. Anecdotal information is not acceptable.

Back to content

Emergency/Interim Protection Orders

Emergency or interim protection orders may not be sufficient supporting documentation as such orders may not be progressed into a full protection order. Further documentary evidence may be necessary before early allocation can be approved.

Refer to Eligibility Policy for further information.

Back to content

Eligible Applicants

Inter-State applicant

Inter-State applicants must demonstrate a compelling need to move to the ACT before Housing ACT can waive its eligibility criteria. (Refer Eligibility Policy.) An interstate applicant seeking early allocation must provide documentary evidence of his/her claim of domestic violence (refer Acceptable Documentary Evidence above). The applicant will also be required to provide documentary evidence that he/she has tried to find accommodation in his/her own State prior to moving to the ACT. Anecdotal information will not be acceptable.

If an applicant can provide documentary evidence that he/she was a previous resident of the ACT, and/or he/she has family or a support network in the ACT, this will be taken into account when the application is assessed. An applicant may not be housed according to his/her full entitlement in the first instance.

Back to content

ACT resident

An applicant eligible for Housing ACT in the ACT must provide documentary evidence supporting his/her claim for early allocation because of domestic violence. (refer Acceptable Documentary Evidence above). An applicant may not be housed according to his/her full entitlement in the first instance.

Back to content

Housing ACT tenant and resident

A Housing ACT tenant or resident may apply for early allocation because of domestic violence. The application will be assessed as though it was an application from an ACT resident (see previous paragraph). The property allocated will generally not be in an area where he/she presently lives. A resident of a household (over sixteen (16) years of age) receiving public rental housing assistance may apply for relocation because of domestic violence. In some instances such as where a household wishes to relocate, mutual exchange may be an option.

Back to content

Refugee or sponsored migrant experiencing domestic violence

An eligible refugee or sponsored migrant experiencing domestic violence may apply for early allocation.

Refer to the Eligibility Policy for additional information.

Back to content

Multiple Relocations

Housing ACT would expect a tenant repeatedly requesting relocation because of domestic violence to seek further support from an appropriate agency/service prior to relocation.

Back to content

Waiver of Eligibility Criteria

The Housing Commissioner can waive all criteria for Housing ACT assistance except for the minimum age criterion.

Back to content

Review of Housing ACT Decisions

Applicants may appeal decisions by Housing ACT where there is new information or changed circumstances that could affect the original decision. There is an established review protocol that includes an initial internal review by Housing ACT and where appropriate, access to external review mechanisms.

Back to content

Further Information

For copies of brochures contact Housing ACT: click here for details

Go to Policy information