Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-11-17 Daily Xml

Contents

Homelessness Services

In reply to the Hon. E.S. BOURKE (13 October 2020).

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services): I have been advised:

A pilot program offering nine homes specifically to older women with finance assistance through shared equity was launched in August 2019 with properties made available for sale in early November 2019.

These properties were made exclusively available to single women over 50 years of age for a period of three months, after which they were made available to anyone eligible for the Affordable Homes Program.

During this three-month period there were 51 inquiries, of which 22 were eligible to buy under the initiative.

All 22 eligible buyers were directed to HomeStart Finance to secure finance, including assessment to receive the shared equity assistance.

Three single women over 50 years of age were able to meet finance requirements and were subsequently successful in purchasing a home through the program.

All nine properties have now contracted or sold to buyers eligible under the affordable homes program with shared equity finance.