Common use of Assistance Generally Clause in Contracts

Assistance Generally. The primary consideration in delivering housing assistance under this agreement shall be the needs of people. In determining the eligibility of applicants for assistance under this agreement: assistance shall seek to provide access to housing for those unable to obtain or maintain affordable finance for adequate and appropriate housing purchase from the private sector or from other sources outside of the agreement; assistance provided shall be available to all sections of the community irrespective of age, sex, marital status, race, religion, disability or life situation. Persons who need support to live in the community shall be eligible for assistance. It is recognised, however, that such support is not a responsibility under this agreement; priority in granting assistance shall be determined by the need for assistance; any limits on eligibility for assistance shall be based primarily on financial circumstances. In determining this, the level of income, the value of relevant assets and the income from them, the number of dependent children and costs arising from disability or other special circumstances, shall be taken into account; and to ensure consistency in the application of these eligibility principles, limits of eligibility shall be reviewed at appropriate intervals of time. In the delivery of housing assistance as far as is possible, people should be given an equal choice between the different forms of housing assistance programs under this agreement. Housing assistance programs developed under this agreement shall be designed so that maximum social benefit is derived from previous investment in housing. Assistance shall be provided in a coordinated and flexible manner to meet the changing employment and other needs and circumstances of people receiving assistance. To this end and where appropriate: housing assistance provided under this agreement should be coordinated with housing and accommodation assistance programs outside this agreement; the provision of assistance for people shall be coordinated between the specific purpose programs within the agreement and general housing assistance under the agreement; and assistance shall facilitate the portability of waiting times for applicants for assistance, and the transfer of tenants, between regions and forms of assistance within a State, and, where practicable, between States.