The Western Australian State Government has extended the Residential Rent Relief Grant Scheme (RRRGS) which aims to help tenants facing financial hardship.
Government enforced lockdowns have negatively impacted millions of Australian’s, however, WA has been spared the worst of the economic fallout and job losses.
The McGowan Government initially implemented the Residential Rent Relief Grant Scheme (RRRGS) last year and that is now being extended until December 31, 2021. The scheme was due to end on June 28, 2021.
The scheme provides an incentive for landlords to maintain existing tenancies. While rent support grants will be available for tenants who are facing a significant rent increase and need financial assistance to meet rent payments. Grants are capped at $2000 per tenancy and their landlord must agree to a lease of at least six months.
Rent arrears assistance grants are available to help tenants pay a current outstanding rent debt incurred before December 1, 2020. Grants for 75 per cent of rent arrears, up to a maximum of $4000, will be paid directly to eligible landlords. In return, the landlord and tenant must enter into a minimum six month-long lease agreement.
WA Commerce Minister, Amber-Jade Sanderson said while the WA economy has been robust, there are many still in need.
“The Residential Rent Relief Grant Scheme has already made around 8300 grant payments worth more than $11.6 million, to assist struggling tenants and their landlords as part of the McGowan Government’s COVID-19 support measures.
“This final round of the scheme will continue to provide targeted assistance for tenants in financial hardship, who may be finding it hard to cope with rent increases and maintain their tenancies, including those who rely on Centrelink as a primary income.
“The Western Australian economy is performing strongly but it remains important to continue to offer this scheme to those still in need of assistance as we transition towards the end of the State’s COVID-19 roadmap.”
WA Housing Minister John Carey said because of the influx of people into WA over the past 12 months, many renters are being negatively impacted.
“The McGowan Government is aware of the current challenges in the property market and has put in place a range of measures to increase housing stock, to help improve the available and affordability of rental accommodation,” Mr Carey said.
“We’re incentivising home building and affordable ownership through our $20,000 Building Bonus Grant scheme and expansion to the eligibility criteria for Keystart.
“At the same time, we are investing nearly $1 billion towards upgrading and expanding our existing social housing stock, and other homelessness initiatives.”
