Learn about the variety of housing options available, from 1 to 4 bedroom apartments, townhouses, and houses, and understand the application process from start to finish.
Providing you with a safe and secure place to call home
If you've successfully applied for community housing (also known as social housing) through the Queensland Government, you may be eligible for one of our homes. The allocation of vacant INCH properties is managed in partnership with the Department of Community, Housing and Digital Economy.
Vacant Properties
When an INCH property becomes available, INCH notifies the Department’s Housing Service Centre (HSC) of the vacancy. The notification includes details about the property, such as its type (unit or house), location, number of bedrooms, property attributes (e.g., highset, lowset, number of stairs), and any lease requirements (e.g., pets allowed or not, by-laws).
The HSC Allocation Team reviews the Queensland Waitlist Register to identify eligible applicants who are in the highest need and may be a good match for the vacant property. Referrals are then provided to INCH.
INCH’s Properties
INCH manages a range of property types, with options from 1 to 4 bedrooms. Allocation of a property is based on your eligibility as outlined in your Department of Housing eligibility letter.
Two single people sharing, or a single person or couple with 1–2 children.
3 bedrooms
Three single people sharing, or a single person or couple with 2–4 children.
4 bedrooms
Four single people sharing, or a single person or couple with 3–6 children.
Are you eligible for community housing?
Find out more about the Queensland Government's community housing program.
From Applicant to Tenant
Once INCH receives referrals from the HSC, the average time to house an applicant is about 7 working days. The process includes:
Contacting the applicant
INCH staff will reach out to the referred applicant.
Completing an INCH form
If the applicant wishes to proceed, they will complete and return an INCH form to provide up-to-date information bout their housing and other needs.
Review and match
INCH reviews the returned form to ensure that the applicant's needs match the vacant property. If matched, an interview is arranged. If not matched, INCH staff will refer the applicant to their local HSC to update their circumstances.
Ranking and property viewing
After interviews, a ranking is completed to identify the best match. A property viewing is then arranged with the offered applicant.
Acceptance or decline
The applicant can accept or decline the offer. (Note: Acceptance and decline follow the Department's policies.) If declined, the property will be offered to the next suitable applicant.
Final steps
- Arrange property bond: You may be eligible for the Department of Housing's Bond Loan Program. - Arrange rent: Four weeks' rent is required; you may be eligible for the Department of Housing's Rent Assistance Program. - Complete Support Service Arrangement Form: This is for each support service assisting you or your family member. - Outstanding Debt: If you have previous debt with INCH, a percentage must be paid before signing the lease, with an agreed repayment plan. - Sign-up Process: Book a date and time to complete INCH's sign-up process. All INCH tenancies are governed under the Residential Tenancy and Rooming Act 2008, including Chapter 13A - Matters relating to particular leases by State and Community housing providers.
