Autumn 2022 In this issue: Find us online - Housing Choices Australia
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STORIE
HOM
Autumn
2022
In this issue:
Refurbishment Grant
Success P4
Resident Profile:
Pauline is Keeping the
Cover Painting Community Spirit Alive P6
In the Pink
by Simon Marchment Calling All Creatives P8
Find us online
www.housingchoices.org.au
From the
General
Manager
Salaam, kuso dhawaada coming year and we will begin During her talk Melanie
gacma furan iyo each newsletter with a different challenged staff to open
Warsidaha Housing welcome to acknowledge the a wrapped lolly and an
Choices WA 2022. diversity of our tenants. envelope without using
Hello and welcome In January, Housing Choices their fingers (as Melanie
everyone to the Housing WA staff celebrated the does every day). It was
Choices WA 2022 Autumn development of our national an important insight into
newsletter. Diversity and Inclusion Policy. considering life from the
perspective of others.
This Somali welcome comes We were lucky enough to be I challenge you to do
from Housing Choices WA joined by inspiring tenant and
advocate for people with a the same in your
tenant Luul, who featured day-to-day lives.
in our Summer edition. disability, Melanie Hawkes.
At Housing Choices WA, Melanie shared her experiences We look forward to inviting
we believe celebrating and ideas around how Housing more tenants to speak to
and respecting people of Choices could be more staff about their experiences
all backgrounds, cultures, inclusive for people living with in the year ahead as
genders, sexualities, disabilities. We all learnt a lot we work on projects to
and abilities is incredibly about Melanie and the full celebrate diversity including
important. It is a focus for and interesting life she leads. becoming a Rainbow Tick
our organisation in the accredited organisation,
A Word on COVID-19
As an organisation our way of working, and our
service delivery may look different depending on
the COVID-19 situation in WA in the coming months.
We will regularly review and revise our operations to
ensure we are putting the safety, health and wellbeing
of tenants, staff and the broader community first.
We understand that some tenants are concerned
for their safety and are anxious about the spread of
COVID-19 in WA. We want to reassure you that Housing
Choices WA are following all WA Government mandates
and advice regarding COVID-19. All of our staff and
contractors are fully vaccinated against coronavirus
and we have adopted the recommended hygiene
and physical distancing practices.
For the most up-to-date information about Housing
Choices WA’s business operations, please regularly
visit our website www.housingchoices.org.au.
2
Housing Choices WA
Public Holiday
Office Closures
developing a national impacted by COVID-19 All Housing Choices WA offices
Disability Action Plan, so we can help link you will be closed over the Easter
and progressing actions with services or support period from 4pm Thursday
from our Reconciliation you may need. 14 April 2022 until 8.30am
Action Plan. Please look after Tuesday 19 April 2022.
On another important note, yourselves and keep Offices will also be closed on
please read the following an eye on your friends, Monday 25 April 2022 for
information about our family and neighbours ANZAC Day and Monday 6
services and COVID-19. as we navigate the next June 2022 for WA Day.
If you have any questions few months together.
All calls to the maintenance
about our operations during In the meantime, enjoy team will be diverted to the
this time, please contact our Autumn edition of Emergency Maintenance
your local office. Home Stories WA. Hotline during office closures.
We encourage you to reach We ask that tenants only call
out if you are experiencing Natalie Sangalli maintenance when offices are
hardship or are otherwise General Manager WA closed if there is a maintenance
emergency such as a burst
Below: Melanie Hawkes pictured with Housing Choices WA water pipe or gas leak.
staff at the launch of our Diversity and Inclusion Policy. Maintenance Hotline:
1800 203 383
3
Maintenance
Refurbishment Response
Grant Success! Times
Impacted by
Housing Choices WA have done it without COVID-19
recently applied for your assistance.
grant funding under the We sincerely thank you
WA Government Social for your understanding, Due to the COVID-19
Housing Economic co-operation and pandemic our
Recovery Package patience, particularly maintenance team is
(SHERP) towards during our visits to your experiencing delays.
new homes and the home to take photos of This is due to shortages in
maintenance items we are hoping tradespeople and delays
of existing homes. to refurbish. in accessing materials to
complete repairs.
We are very happy to Even though we did not
announce we received receive funding for all the This means that if you are
$6.75 million to properties we completed waiting for a routine repair,
undertake refurbishments applications for, we are still it might take longer than
in 360 properties across completing the majority of usual to complete the
the Perth, Peel and these works in the future works. Our maintenance
South-West regions. as part of our ongoing team is doing all they can
refurbishment program. to ensure emergency
As a not-for-profit and urgent repairs are
organisation, these funds We have also applied to completed without delay.
will go a long way to build 55 new homes in
providing well maintained areas of high demand, We apologise for any
properties. The works will and we look forward to disruptions in addressing
be completed between hearing the outcome of your maintenance issues
2022 – 2024 and we will this application as well. and we ask for your patience
notify relevant tenants and understanding about
If you have any questions this matter.
of what works will be about this information,
undertaken and when please contact your
they will take place. closest Housing Choices
Our applications for WA office.
funding were completed
quickly and we couldn’t
4
2022 ACT
Members
Snapshot
From ACT
Chairperson 10 ACT
Sue Newman members
Hello fellow tenants, we are getting prepared to From Perth
I’m Sue and this is my try out Zoom meetings if Metropolitan and
first newsletter column we can’t meet in-person. Peel regions
as the Chairperson We welcome the very
of the ACT (Advisory helpful Leah from Housing
Committee of Tenants) Choices WA and her Tenants from
for 2022. tenant engagement team, a range of
who’s helping us navigate backgrounds
Firstly, a huge thanks
to Trish for doing an meeting online.
excellent job as the first I feel quite chuffed when
ACT Chairperson.
I feel quite daunted trying
I tell my grandchildren I
have a Zoom meeting to
Combined
90 years 90+
to fill her shoes! plan our next ACT agenda, experience as Years
as if I didn’t have to ask for Housing Choices
I would also like to
instructions three times on WA tenants.
welcome our new
committee members how to Zoom in!
for 2022. We had a At our last ACT meeting
wonderful training we had a look at the Your ACT members
session together in results from the 2021
January and I am sure our Tenant Survey and talked Chairperson:
new members will find about what issues we Suzanne from Rockingham
being in the ACT is both should work on for Deputy Chairperson:
insightful and enjoyable. 2022. It was great for Trish from Greenfields
I urge anyone who is able the committee to get a
to consider a year as an better understanding of Secretary:
ACT member. One new what issues were most Luul from Gosnells
member recently asked: important to tenants and
made us excited about the Independent Living
“But what can I contribute Program Representative:
to the ACT?” The answer year ahead.
Lynda from Greenfields
is that everyone has I look forward to being the
experiences, ideas and Chairperson of the ACT General Members:
different perspectives on this year and doing my George from Greenfields,
everyday life as a tenant best to make sure tenant Margaret from Armadale,
- that’s what you can voices are being heard. Adrienne from Rockingham,
contribute! Bob from Cannington, and
Melanie from Riverton.
We know this year is Sue
going to be challenging ACT Chairperson
with COVID-19 and so
5
Pauline, who lives with a number of health
conditions, says scaling the stairs to get
Resident to the third floor of the multi-storey
apartment she previously lived in each day
Profile: was a struggle.
Pauline is On seeing her first-floor Housing Choices
WA unit Pauline says she was sold.
Keeping the “I absolutely love it.
Community “I’ve been putting my own touches on it.”
Pauline explains that in her one-bedroom
Spirit Alive apartment she has not only found a stable,
secure and affordable place to live but a
community who care for one another.
Tucked in Hilton are 19 brick units “Peter who lives next door to me goes
that are home to a group of Housing around each morning and knocks on
Choices WA tenants aged over 55 years. everyone’s door and … calls out ‘morning’.
One of the youngest residents, Pauline And if the blinds are open that’s a sign
Culshaw moved into the complex they’re up.
after waiting a number of years on the “As a neighbourhood, we just generally
Department of Communities Joint look out for each other.”
Wait List. The mother of two says since
being allocated her Housing Choices The 59-years-old says many of the older
property, five years ago, she feels a residents don’t have family or support
sense of security and stability. networks. Instead, they rely on each other
to foster community spirit.
“The complex is not a nursing home;
it’s not a retirement village. The
apartments are our individual homes.
And the complex is very multicultural.
“You get lots of different things happening
throughout the year. For example, on
ANZAC Day each year I hold a dawn
service out the front. Last year, I crocheted
some poppies and gave them to my
neighbours.
“We’ve held barbeques for birthdays,
and I do a Christmas get-together in the
amenities room where we all bring a plate
and maybe have a few drinks.
“We had a game of cricket in the car park
a couple of times when we had lockdown
… Just to keep everyone active and make
sure they’re getting out of their units.”
Pauline (pictured left) holds a picture
from the Housing Choices WA end-of-year
celebration.
Right: (back row) Peter, David, Doug, Colin,
(front) Pauline, Maria and Ladda.
6
She says while the majority of residents “We’ve got some benches outside in
enjoy participating in the mix of activities, the car park and we’re actually going to
there are a few who prefer to keep to dedicate one of them to Terry because
themselves. that was his favourite spot.”
“We respect that, but they still get an The dedication to Terry is just one of a
invite in the post box whenever I handful of ways the community pays
arrange something like a morning tea tribute to one another, and Pauline’s hope
or Christmas. is that his bench will become a meeting
“Some of the residents we’ve lost in place for future residents to congregate.
the last year, so we’ll do a memorial The seat will occupy a corner of
morning tea for them. We’re also doing the property where residents are
a memorial garden in one section near naturally drawn.
the car park for the people who’ve lived “There’s about four or five of us who
here in the past and we’re putting a rose, tend to meet out there at about 3 o’clock
not a plaque just a rose, to represent in the afternoon. I don’t know why it
each person. happens at that particular time, maybe
“One of the residents, Terry, recently because the cool breeze is in.
died suddenly with some medical issues. “We don’t have a formal meeting as such,
But he got his wish - he wanted to die we just talk about what’s coming up.
at home. They don’t want to die in a
nursing home or in hospital. “It’s just chit chat but it’s nice.”
7
Queen
of Clean!
Helps You Deal
with Drains
Some tenants have had issues with blocked
drains and toilets, and been charged tenant
liability as a result. So, we have brought back
our Queen of Clean, staff member Maria Em, Calling all
to provide tips to help avoid this issue.
Creatives
What is your advice for tenants worried
about blocked drains, sinks and toilets? Housing Choices WA is holding
Prevention is always your best bet. You can a Tenant Art Showcase on
get a sink strainer to prevent debris from going 18 May in Rockingham to
down the sink and causing blockage issues. celebrate our tenants’ talents.
You can find ones for kitchen sinks and shower We are seeking Expressions of
drains at shops like Kmart and Bunnings. Interest from tenants who would
Toilet blockages are easy to prevent, just follow like to display their artwork.
this rule: if it’s not toilet paper, don’t flush it. All forms of creative expression are
Even though you may see wipes advertised as welcome including photography,
flushable, they will cause blockages as they absorb painting, sculptures, ceramics,
water and do not break down. Even tissues do woodwork, drawings or knitting.
not break down like toilet paper.
Based on feedback from our
What can tenants do to deal with blocked previous showcase, tenants who
drains and toilets? display artwork will have the
Regularly cleaning your drains is the best way opportunity to sell their art on the
to dislodge any build up that may occur. day. Housing Choices WA will also
be looking to purchase tenant art
My solution is to pour 1 cup of bicarbonate soda,
for our offices and for digital use.
1 cup of warm water and 1 cup vinegar in and
around the drain and leave for 20 minutes. Artists will also go into the running
Once it has had time to do its magic, pour a kettle to win a prizes during the showcase.
full of warm water down and around the drain. All Housing Choices WA tenants
For toilets, a weak toilet flush often indicates are welcome to attend on the day
a clog is forming in your toilet drain. Small clogs to enjoy the art and get to know
can also be caused by flushing too much toilet our tenant artists over some
paper at once. Use a plunger to try and release food and drinks.
clogs or small blockages before they become a Please contact our Tenant
more serious issue. Engagement and Capacity
Please note that hot water is not suitable for Building Officer Alex Kepes
use on ceramic sinks. If you are unable to deal on 0437 887 675 to register
with a blockage issue yourself, please call our your interest in attending
maintenance hotline on 1800 203 383. and/or displaying art.
8
Unhappy with a
Decision We Made?
Through the 2021 Tenant Lodging an Appeal
Survey you told us you
wanted more information
Ask for an Appeal Request
about our appeals process.
Form by phone, email or
We spoke with our Advisory
in person.
Committee of Tenants
about how to best share the
information with you in this WITHIN
You must appeal within
edition of Home Stories. 6 six (6) months of the decision.
MONTHS
If you are unhappy with a
decision we made you may
be able to appeal that decision. Provide as much information
When you lodge an appeal, and evidence as you can.
Housing Choices WA will review
the decision and how it was
made. The pictorial on the right A senior staff member will
shows our appeals process. review the decision.
Examples of decisions you can
appeal include housing transfer
WITHIN
applications being declined You will be notified of the
or being charged for damage outcome within 21 days. 21
DAYS
that you don’t believe you are
responsible for. You may also
choose to appeal a decision if If you are unhappy with the
we declined a request and you outcome, you can request a
believe we haven’t considered Second Tier Appeal.
all of the relevant information.
While you can make a
complaint about our policies,
Successful Appeal Example
you can’t appeal against our A tenant reported a With this new information,
policies. For example, you can’t broken window that the tenant’s appeal was
appeal the way we calculate needed replacing. successful and the
your rent, but you can appeal if This kind of damage is tenant liability charge
you feel the rent we charged is a tenant’s responsibility, was withdrawn.
based on incorrect information. so the tenant was Although successful,
Before lodging an appeal, charged for the repair. this example highlights
feel free to speak with us After receiving the that the charge for the
about why you are unhappy. bill, the tenant appealed repair could have been
Our staff can explain why the the charges. The tenant avoided if the tenant had
decision was made and give advised us that someone provided the PRN and
you an opportunity to provide had attempted to break more information when
any other information you into his home through the reporting the damage.
think is relevant. window and that he had However, the appeals
a Police Report Number process did help this tenant
(PRN) as evidence. achieve a fair outcome.
9
End of Year Tenant
Celebrations
In December, more than 130 Natalie said the End of Year Tenant
tenants and Housing Choices Lunches were a great way for
WA staff got together to celebrate tenants and staff to reflect on
the end of the year with events the year and enjoy each other’s
in Rockingham and Hilton. company during the festive season.
Tenants and staff shared stories “We had our inaugural end of year
over a hearty two-course meal. event in 2020 and it proved so
In between courses, guests enjoyed popular that we held two this year
games, quizzes, door prizes and so more tenants could attend,”
presentations from Housing Choices she said.
WA General Manager Natalie Sangalli “It was very important to us that
and Advisory Committee of Tenants we were able to celebrate the year
(ACT) members. with tenants in a relaxed, enjoyable
Both events had some eye-catching setting and the feedback we have
tenant art on display. They also received tells us we did just that.
featured a photo booth, run by We look forward to these being
tenant photographer Phillip Day, with annual events in the years ahead.”
photos sent to tenants as a keepsake.
10How to have
a Cup of Tea
Online
Would you like to join us
online for a catch up with
other tenants?
Our tenant engagement team
is committed to finding new
ways for tenants to connect.
Given WA’s ever-changing
COVID-19 situation we would
like to try an online group.
This is an opportunity for all
tenants with digital access to
get together from the comfort
of their own home. No matter
whether you are a tech whiz
or looking to learn more about
connecting online – everyone
is welcome, but you will need
a computer with a camera and
microphone to take part.
As part of the group, we will
share some tricks to make
Zoom fun, play some games
and chat with people in
small groups.
If you are interested in being
part of our online group,
please contact our Tenant
Engagement and Capacity
Building Officer Alex Kepes
on 0437 887 675 or via
alex.kepes@hcau.org.au
to register your interest.
11Home Stories Autumn Puzzle
Win a $50 Bunnings Voucher!
Find all of the words in the word search except for one, which is not actually
in the grid. Words may be forward, backward, up, down or diagonal.
A W G C T C L A E P P A D
U F N E E O W E B S I T E Autumn
T H I L L M L E K C D H F
U D N E I M Y N W R R F A
Brain Teasers
In response to requests
M G I B O U R I A E A S R
for more puzzles, we have
N U A R T N R L W A I Q T introduced Brain Teasers.
U P R A T I B N V T N C I Answers to the below can
K D T T F T G O Z I S X S be found in the content of
F A H E X Y G F T V E Y T this newsletter.
S T X V J L E A V E S T S 1. How many years
J E S P I R I T Y F A L L of tenancy experience
does our 2022
Advisory Committee
FIND THESE WORDS IN THE GRID of Tenants have?
AUTUMN TOILET UPDATE ONLINE
LEAVES APPEAL COMMUNITY CONNECT 2. What does PRN stand for?
FALL TRAINING SPIRIT CREATIVE
DRAINS WEBSITE CELEBRATE ARTISTS
3. How much funding did
Housing Choices WA
Please tell us the remaining word before Friday 27 May 2022 receive from the WA
by emailing info-wa@hcau.org.au or posting your answer Government to complete
to: Home Autumn Puzzle, Housing Choices Western refurbishments in
Australia, PO Box 105, Burswood WA 6100. our properties?
Only one entry is allowed per household. The winners will
score themselves a $50 Bunnings voucher and will be drawn 3. $6.75 million
from the correct entries. Good luck!
2. Police Report Number
Congratulations to Marilyn from Dardanup, last edition’s 1. 90
puzzle prize winner.
Perth Metro Office Peel Office South West Office
Level 7, 25 Rowe Avenue 4 Stevenson Street 1st Floor, 25 Victoria Street
Rivervale WA 6103 PO Box 1200 PO Box 1539
PO Box 105 Mandurah WA 6210 Bunbury WA 6230
Burswood WA 6100 P (08) 9534 0400 P (08) 9722 7200
P (08) 9430 0900
info-wa@hcau.org.au housingchoices.org.au
Maintenance Hotline: 1800 203 383You can also read
