Apply for Housing
The Murchison Region Aboriginal Corporation manages over 120 properties throughout the Mid West and Gascoyne region of Western Australia.
The Murchison Region Aboriginal Corporation manages over 120 properties throughout the Mid West and Gascoyne region of Western Australia. We aim to provide quality homes for rent to Aboriginal people.
We have all sizes of homes from small 1 bedroom units to large 4 bedroom homes. Our homes are regularly maintained, have at least one split-system air conditioning unit and are located in regional towns and cities such as Three Springs, Mullewa, Yalgoo, Northampton, Geraldton, Carnarvon and Denham.
A stable place to call home is the foundation for better outcomes for our mob. It’s where families live happy, healthy lives while attending school, training, employment, and positively contributing to the community.
Am I eligible?
We understand that housing is hard to find, and we have a high demand for our homes. However, all applicants must meet our eligibility criteria to be approved and placed on a waiting list. Download our current criteria list to see if you can rent a home from us as per the below, and refer to the below Financial Eligibility Assessment.
Applying for a Home
We ask you to complete and return an application form. Please get in touch with us early in the process if you need assistance; we are happy to help. To process your application, we need you to:
complete all sections of the form;
provide all requested documents; and
include current details of two recent rental references – If the Department of Communities (Housing Services) is one of your references, please complete a release form to provide permission.
Submit your Application
You can submit your application in person or via email. Once we receive your application and all documentation, we will assess your eligibility, check that your rent payments will not cause financial hardship and contact your references. Assessment takes 2-3 weeks but can only be completed if we reach your references. We will send you a letter to advise of the outcome of your application.
Previous poor rental history does not automatically disqualify you from renting a home from us.
Financial Eligibility Assessment
MRAC Rents
MRAC sets rent at a maximum of 75% of the regional market rent, as benchmarked by the Australian Tax Office (ATO). This is the same as other not for profit community housing providers across Australia. This means MRAC rents are at least 25% below current regional market rates, ensuring affordability for eligible tenants.
Financial Capacity and Housing Eligibility
MRAC is committed to providing sustainable housing. To prevent financial hardship, MRAC is unable to offer housing to applicants whose income is insufficient to cover rent and basic living expenses. Rents are not discounted below the ATO benchmarked limit.
During the application process, MRAC assesses each applicant’s financial capacity using standard affordability guidelines:
Centrelink recipients: Rent should not exceed 25% of total income
Working applicants: Rent should not exceed 30% of total income
This ensures that housing remains financially viable and sustainable for tenants.
Example
If an applicant receives a Centrelink payment of $1,000 per fortnight and applies for a property with rent of $700 per fortnight, rent will consume 70% of their income. If Commonwealth Rent Assistance is included, the rent would still exceed 58% of their total income, leaving insufficient funds for essential living costs such as:
Utilities (electricity, water, gas, internet, phone)
Food and groceries
Health expenses
Living expenses
Transportation
Etc
In such cases, MRAC recommends applicants seek housing through the Department of Communities, which offers government-funded housing at significantly lower rents. MRAC’s Housing Support Program can assist with referrals to the Department of Communities upon request.
Successful Applications
If your application is successful, we will add you to the waiting list and match you to a suitable home depending on availability, location and your requirements. This can take time. Please let us know if your contact details change so we can be in touch when we have a home for you.
Unsuccessful Applications
Refer to the eligibility criteria to ensure that you meet all aspects. There are operational reasons that vary from application to application which may cause an application to be unsuccessful. We will explain our decision but if you feel it is not right, you can appeal. An Independent Appeals Committee will review your application and our decision and make their own decision upon their findings. If they find your application to be successful, you will be added to the waiting list.
Tenancy Agreement
Before you move in, we will ask you to sign an initial six-month tenancy agreement and become familiar with your rights and responsibilities.
During the first six months, we’ll visit twice to make sure everything is ok. If the house suits you and you have settled into the location well, you will enter a periodic tenant agreement. This means you can stay for as long as you meet your obligations as a tenant.
Click here to find out more information about what we expect from our tenants.
Accessing Urgent Housing
Please be advised.
MRAC has no crisis or priority housing.
MRAC commonly has full occupancy of our rental properties.
The waiting list to receive a MRAC rental is generally 3 – 5 years.
If you are seeking urgent housing, please contact the below agencies.
Department of Communities Housing Office: (08)6414 3320 – Social and affordable housing
Desert Blue Connect Chrysalis House Women’s Refuge: (08)9964 2173 – women & children domestic violence refuge
The Salvation Army: (08) 99640600 - Geraldton Emergency Accommodation Referral and Support Service (EARSS)
STAY: (08)9921 5696 - Short Term Accommodation for Youth
Neami National: (08)6323 8980 – Mental Health Step Up/Step Down Service short stay accommodation
Horizon House Geraldton: (08)9964 3042 / 0447 275 494 – youth accommodation
Ruah Community Services supports: (08)6496 0001 or 1800 124 684 – Homeless and housing support
Centacare Family Services: (08)9921 1433 – support services / accommodation
Sun City Care Inc.: (08)9964 1000 – support services / accommodation
Mission Australia: (08)9921 5441 or (08)9941 4260 - THRIVE Midwest and Gascoyne, Housing support program