Movable Units
Movable units are fully self contained units that can be set up in the backyard of a friend or relative's home. They are designed to help older people or people with support needs, keep living independently while maintaining close contact with family and friends.
The units are suitable to accommodate one or two people and include a bedroom with an en-suite bathroom/toilet/laundry, and a living room with an annexe kitchen. Two bedroom units can be provided to households who require separate bedrooms or to single people who require an additional bedroom for medical reasons.
Movable units are not designed for family housing and for this reason, children are not permitted to live in the units. Movable units are also not allocated to organisations or for the purpose of group housing.
Movable units are only built on sites where the main house is occupied. They cannot be attached or joined to the existing main dwelling and should always be free standing.
Eligibility and application
You can apply to rent a movable unit if you are a permanent resident of Australia and:
- Aged 55 years or over and have a weekly income that is less than the current income limit for public housing in Victoria, or
- In receipt of at least $1.00 of an Australian Disability Support Pension and have a weekly income that is less than the current income limit for public housing in Victoria
- Have assets less than $30,000
- Agree to repay any money that you still owe from a previous public housing tenancy or bond loan
To assist the Department of Human Services with confirming your eligibility, you will be required to provide documents for yourself and any other person applying to reside in the movable unit with you.
If you meet these eligibility criteria you can apply to rent a movable unit.
A guide to applying for a movable unit will help you with information about applying for a movable unit. If you would like copies of the application forms sent to you or require help with completing your application, you can contact the Office of Housing on 1800 460 505. An interpreter can also be arranged.
Site assessment and hiring agreement
If the applicants meet all eligibility criteria, the application will be referred to the Movable Units Team who will contact the Property Host to arrange a time to conduct a site assessment to determine whether the site is suitable to construct a movable unit and a hiring agreement will need to be signed.
Construction and inclusions
There is usually a three to six month waiting period for a movable unit, from the time site assessment has been approved and the hiring agreements have been signed and returned before construction can begin.
Removing a movable unit
It generally takes four months to remove a unit from the date the Office of Housing is informed that the occupancy of the movable unit has ended and a Notice of Termination is completed by the property host or applicant.
The Movable Units Team can assist you with enquires about site assessment, construction and removing a movable unit on 1300 655 049.
