Further Housing Assistance Gift Stages 1 and 2

The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund has announced two housing Gifts for people who lost their Principal Place of Residence in the 2009 Victorian bushfires, are not yet in permanent accommodation and are experiencing financial hardship.

What assistance is available?

Assistance provided under this package will be delivered in two stages:

Stage 1

This stage is for households who require less than $20,000 to rebuild their homes. A financial assessment and eligibility test will be conducted, and then approved applicants will be referred to their local Rebuilding Advisory Service representative, who will carry out a building assessment on the property to ascertain what works still need to be completed to obtain an occupancy permit.

The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund will pay contractors / builders directly for their services.

Stage 2

This stage is for households who are rebuilding, purchasing a new home, securing long term leases, or moving into aged-care facilities. Assistance of up to $50,000 will be available for households to find permanent accommodation. A financial assessment and eligibility test will be conducted, and then approved applicants will be referred to their local Housing Association, who will work with the applicant to detail their pathway, step by step, to permanent accommodation.

A Housing Plan will be developed to identify the household’s needs, set out specific objectives addressing those needs, and the anticipated costs of implementing the Plan. The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund may also cover the costs of other support services such as psychological and/or financial counselling to assist the applicant through this process.

The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund will pay contractors and consultants directly for their services upon invoice for works or services completed. 

Am I eligible?

To be eligible for this gift you must meet all of the following three criteria:

• You are the owner of a Principal Place of Residence, sole asset or home under construction that was destroyed by the 2009 bushfires.
• You are not yet in permanent accommodation; and
• You are currently experiencing financial hardship 

As a general guide your building project must not exceed the total value of $350,000 (excluding the land, but including site works, service connections and meeting current planning and building standards). 

You are not eligible for this gift if:

• You have been issued your occupancy permit for your rebuilt property.
• You have a signed contract for purchase of an existing Principal Place of Residence 

The application form for this gift will be used to determine whether you meet the eligibility criteria.

What does 'principle place of residence' mean?

The destroyed residence was your Principal Place of Residence, sole asset or home under construction if the property was your sole residential property at the time of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires.

To be eligible for this gift you will have received the Rehousing and Recovery Destroyed Homes gift (including people who were eligible under the Sole Residential Asset or Other Dwellings criteria) in 2009. To confirm whether you have received this gift please contact the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund on 1800 180 213.

What does 'in need of permanent accommodation' mean?

• renting; or
• living in a temporary village for fire affected communities; or
• living in other temporary accommodation (you will need to describe your particular situation in your application); 

and:

• have not been issued your occupancy permit for your rebuilt property 
• do not have a signed contract for purchase of an existing Principal Place of Residence 

How do I know if I am in financial hardship?

Based on the information you provide in the application form your financial circumstances will be assessed to determine whether you are in need of financial assistance. 

What information do I need to provide?

If you have previously made a claim from the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund, your identity will have been confirmed in the earlier application and you will only be required to provide the following information: 

• proof of your current place of residence (e.g. Drivers Licence); and
• a completed application form, including signing the statutory declaration.

Who can witness a statutory declaration?

People authorised to witness statutory declarations include lawyers, police, pharmacists, school principals, ministers of religion, bank managers, doctors, vets, and Housing Services Officers.

How long do I have to claim?

The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund will receive applications until April 1, 2012.

However, people are encouraged to apply as soon as possible – the sooner you apply the sooner assistance can be provided. 

For further information

For further information or advice on this gift, please contact the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund on 1800 180 213 or via e-mail on vicbushfireappealfund@dhs.vic.gov.au.

To apply complete the Application for Further Housing Assistance Gift (Word 353.5 KB) form.