If eligible, participant’s housing and support needs,
including their use of existing services is further
assessed to develop individualised case
management plans. Individuals who are not
eligible for loans following assessment are
provided with short-term case management
support for housing information and referral,
typically for one to two service contacts although
clients can reengage with their case manager as
housing needs arise. Clients are also provided with
support on how to prioritise existing debts and
become ‘loan ready’ and then return to the service
to be reassessed.
From January 2013 to October 2014, 136 clients
received housing related information and referral
support from the program. A further 18 clients
received a brokerage loan combined with case
management support. Initially, WCC planned to
provide up to three months of financial assistance
with rent in advance as a way of helping low
income households to secure the property and be
attractive to potential landlords. However, this
was not viable.
The loan repayments made by clients each
fortnight ensures that a proportion of the funds
are able to be replenished over time thereby
increasing the overall efficiency of the funds
invested. Tables 1 and 2 summarise the amounts
of funds borrowed, repayment schedule, and
whether the loan has been repaid. A total of
$17,925.30 has been paid out for brokerage loans
at the time of writing. The amounts of the loan
range from $286.50 to $2434, corresponding to a
respective average and median amount of $995
and $1162.50 per person. The average amount
borrowed in the first year ($1133) was higher than
in the second year ($824).
Clients supported through the brokerage program
are assisted in their search for affordable
properties and with their rental applications. Once
the client has located a suitable property and their
application is approved, WCC directly pays the real
estate agent. The amount borrowed typically
covers rent in advance for one month although it
can be used to cover other housing related
expenses.
WCC have established policies and procedures for
managing the processes of loan repayments and
defaults. Following informed consent on the
policies on the borrower responsibilities of the
loan, the client then negotiates with WCC a
fortnightly/monthly repayment schedule that they
can afford. Participants then sign an agreement
stating that they understand the conditions of the
loan and the amount to be repaid. The repayments
are paid to WCC through Centrepay or a direct
debit arrangement. The loan repayment contract
and schedule can be renegotiated to ensure that
the client does not experience undue hardship in
the event of unexpected expenses or if their
circumstances change.
4.1
The repayment schedule negotiated with clients
1
ranged from $10 to $450 a fortnight depending
on their capacity to pay and how quick