Welcome to the Country Housing Authority, which gives farmers, businesses and service providers in rural and remote areas of Western Australia access to affordable housing finance.
Since its establishment by the State Government in July 1998, the CHA has helped many country people who otherwise had limited housing finance options.
The CHA also provides flexible loans to local governments for housing projects with special benefit to rural communities, and to encourage investment in housing.
The two programs offered by the CHA are:
- Housing Finance Access Program
- Housing Incentive Development Program — Natural Disasters.
HOUSING FINANCE ACCESS PROGRAM (HFAP)
This program provides loans to rural employers, farmers and pastoralists to build homes for themselves or their employees.
CHA loans are standard housing loans with variable interest rates. You can make repayments of principal and interest monthly, quarterly or twice yearly, or tailored to your cash flow. The loan term is up to a maximum of 20 years.
Loans are usually secured by a registered mortgage. Priority can be given to other lending agencies with CHA taking a second mortgage.
Eligibility criteria
Farmers:
- you must be farming your own land holding
- the loan is for housing for yourself or your employees
- housing for employees can be in a local town.
Rural employers:
- you are eligible if you own a business that employs people, including yourself
- you may apply for funds to buy an existing house and land, or to buy land and build a house.
You can download a PDF copy of the eligibility assessment form (see below) or a form can be e-mailed, faxed or mailed to you on request. Call the Country Housing Authority on 9325 8200 or freecall 1800 158 200. Fill the form out and return it to the Country Housing Authority at the address given on the form. A staff member will contact you to discuss your housing needs and eligibility for this program.
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HOUSING DEVELOPMENT INCENTIVE PROGRAM - NATURAL DISASTERS
This program is tailored to meet the specific housing needs of businesses, including farmers and pastoralists, affected by a natural disaster. It recognises that the CHA has a role in the provision of housing to ensure the continued sustainable development of a town or region affected by natural disaster.
Eligibility for interest rate subsidies and their actual size is determined on a case by case basis.
Eligibility criteria
- The applicants' operation must be in or near the area affected by the natural disaster
- The finance must be used to replace or reconstruct housing damaged or destroyed by the natural disaster, or to increase the number of houses available in the town
- The business supported by the housing to be financed must benefit the town or region in terms of
- providing employment to residents
- provision of a necessary service or product
- restoring public infrastructure and services, or
- re-establishing export and value-adding industries.
To apply for a loan under this program, please call the CHA on 9325 8200 or Freecall 1800 158 200.
Maximum Loans
There are no limits, amounts are determined by ability to repay.
Service Standards
The Authority strives for excellence though continuous improvement in the delivery of its services and accountability. It is committed to collaborating with all levels of government, community, and individuals to ensure that its programmes will deliver services designed to best meet their needs.
The Country Housing Authority maintains the highest professional and ethical standards and strives for relationships that are based on fairness, honesty and trust.
What is the interest rate on CHA loans?
Country Housing Authority loans are standard housing loans with a variable rate of interest. The interest rate is 8.85 per cent (effective 10/04/2008).
What are the repayment options?
You can elect to make repayments of principal and interest on a monthly, quarterly or half-yearly basis, or tailored to your cash flow. The loan terms are up to a maximum term of 20 years.
What fees will apply?
There are no application or management fees, or penalties for extra payments.
What security will I need?
In most cases loans are secured by a registered mortgage.
How will the GST affect my loan?
You should make sure that all quotes obtained include GST calculations to avoid any shortfalls in the loan.
How much can I borrow?
There are no limits, amounts are determined by ability to repay.
Who decides if I am eligible for a loan?
The Country Housing Authority Board makes the final decisions on all loan applications at its monthly Board meeting. Submissions are presented to the Board when applicants have supplied all necessary financial and housing information.
Is any other assistance available?
First home buyers may be eligible for a grant. Please read the First Home Owners' Scheme page or telephone the First Home Owners' Scheme hotline on 1300 363 211.
Annual Reports
1999/2000 (1.1 MB).
2000/2001 (365 kB).
2001/2002 (249 kB).
2002/2003 (1.1 MB).
2003/2004 (977 kB).
2004/2005 (1.0 MB).
2005/2006 (1.6 MB).
2007/2008 (2.5 MB).
Pastoralists and Graziers Assoc
