The Victorian Government is providing more relief for Victorians struggling to pay their rent with new grants to help them keep their tenancies.

The funding will support Victorians in need to continue to have a safe place to stay – because nobody should have to worry about losing the roof over their head in a pandemic.

The COVID-19 Rent Relief Grant program will help renters who are experiencing rental hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Grants of up to $1500 will provide direct financial support to renters by making a contribution towards the cost of their rent directly to their landlord on their behalf.

The one-off payment is specifically for renters paying more than 30 per cent of their income in rent who are living in a primary residence to help them maintain safe, secure, and stable accommodation. Grants will be targeted at those who have lost an income of 20 per cent or more due to the pandemic.

There is an annual income limit of $62,860 for singles and $94,300 for couples, and to be eligible applicants can’t have more than $2,000 in savings. The landlord and renter will also need to enter into a rent reduction agreement for a period after 27 May 2021.

Applicants who may be eligible include casual workers on holiday and working visas, international students, skilled visa holders, seasonal workers, New Zealand citizens and all refugee and temporary protection visa holders.

Emergency hotel accommodation during lockdowns for people experiencing homelessness has also been boosted by almost $45 million, reducing the spread of coronavirus and ensuring rough sleepers can continue to have a safe roof over their heads.

A previous round of rent relief grants, which ran from April 2020 to March 2021, helped more than 33,000 Victorian renters maintain their tenancy.  To find out if you’re eligible, visit housing.vic.gov.au/help-renting/rentrelief