Winter 2021 In this issue: Housing Choices Australia
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Winter
2021
In this issue:
• Meet Our Resident Photographer, Guru
• Home is Where the Art is Competition
• Tips for Staying Warm This Winter
From the General Manager
As part of our COVIDsafe Plan, we will continue From Homelessness to A Home
with the following measures to help prevent the Thank you and farewell to Jane Crombie
The Victorian Government released a $150 million
spread of the virus: It is with great sadness that we bid farewell
package called From Homelessness to a Home in
November 2020 for Registered Housing Agencies to Community Development Officer Jane
• We will ask you some health related questions
and Support Agencies to work in partnership to Crombie. As some of you may already know,
when staff / contractors require access to
enable access to approximately 1,700 homes Jane’s time with Housing Choices Australia
your home. Please let us know if you are
for people experiencing homelessness. I am will come to an end in July.
feeling unwell before we visit.
pleased to announce Housing Choices Australia
• If you or a member of your household have
was successful in tendering for the program
tested positive for COVID-19, we need you to
and is now participating with three support
tell us as soon as possible.
partners – NEAMI, Star Health and Greenlight
• Our staff will continue to practice social Plus (an initiative of Sacred Heart Mission and
distancing and wear as required personal the Salvation Army). It has been very rewarding
protective equipment (e.g. masks, gloves, eye to assist people in this program into homes and
Welcome to the gear) when attending our offices and when
they meet with residents. In addition to this,
work closely with our support partners.
Winter edition of staff have been instructed to stay home if they
are feeling unwell or have potentially been Policy Updates
Home Stories exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case.
We have recently updated some company
• We will continue the very robust cleaning Many of you will know Jane from the
policies, which are available to read on our
regime we implemented at the start of the various events and resident initiatives she has
website. The policy updates relate to our Rent
Hello everyone! pandemic at our medium and high-density coordinated over the years. Whether it be
Setting Policy, Eligibility and Allocation Policy
residential properties, specifically in the helping in community gardens or sporting
I hope all residents have settled into the colder and our Financial Hardship and Temporary
common areas. More frequently touched a spectacular pair of antlers at the Resident
months and are managing to stay warm on Absence Policy.
surfaces and high traffic areas will continue Christmas Party, Jane’s positivity and vibrance
those frosty mornings. Housing Choices Australia is committed to
to be sanitised regularly. has made her an invaluable asset to the
Since the previous edition of Home Stories, supporting residents to sustain their tenancies
Community Development Team.
life in Victoria has been impacted by some and prevent homelessness. Further to this, we
COVID-19 vaccine eligibility I would like to thank Jane for all her hard work
COVID-19 outbreaks. As a company, we will believe residents and their household members
continue to adjust to the COVID-19 situation as As residents of Community Housing in Victoria, who experience family violence have a right to and wish her nothing but the best for what is to
it evolves. As always, the health and safety of Housing Choices Australia residents are part of expect our support in a way that ensures their come!
our residents, contractors, staff and the wider Priority Group 1 identified for vaccination against safety. As of April this year, Housing Choices
community remains our first and foremost priority. COVID-19. Housing Choices Australia residents Australia now has obligations as an Information
and members of their immediate household (i.e. Sharing Agency (ISA) under the Family Violence
We strongly suggest you continue to access
people who live with you) aged 16 years and Multi-Agency Risk Assessment and Management Melissa Palframan
COVID-19 updates from: General Manager, Housing Services
older are now eligible to receive a COVID-19 Framework to safely support residents and
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/ vaccine. I strongly recommend you check the their household members that may be at risk of
Victorian Government’s coronavirus website family violence. Over the coming months, we communitydevelopmentvic@hcau.org.au
https://www.australia.gov.au for more information: www.coronavirus.vic. will be issuing new policy that outlines our new
gov.au/who-can-get-vaccinated. obligations. 1300 312 447
2 3
Home is Where the Art is
competition is now open
Theme: Freedom Prizes:
Freedom is an interesting concept to explore, 1. First Prize: $200 voucher to an art store of
particularly in the COVID-19 impacted world. your choice
Especially in Victoria, our homes took on a dual 2. Second: $50 Coles / Myer gift card
role in our lives – a secure sanctuary as well as a 3. Third: $25 Coles / Myer gift card
space of confinement.
In addition, our winners will receive an offer:
Victorians worked together as a community
and were able to not only flatten the COVID-19 • to have their work professionally framed when
curve on several occasions, but also eliminate it is safe to do so (i.e. post COVID)
community transmissions, which allowed us, as a • to have their piece included in the Home is
State, to enjoy a sense of freedom again. Where the Art is Exhibition (post COVID)
It is important to reflect on what freedom means • to have their artwork used in Housing Choices
to us, as well as explore ways to feel and express Australia promotional materials and internal
freedom within our homes and neighbourhoods. publications (i.e. Home Stories, Annual Report,
FriYAYs at the Preston Hub
Board Report etc)
Naturally, ‘freedom‘ has a much broader meaning
• to have their artwork hung in our Melbourne
for people and is not limited to our COVID-19
Office foyer for a period of 12 months (this
experiences for the purpose of this competition.
offer is reserved for the First Prize winner).
The theme is entirely open to your interpretation Prior to the ‘circuit breaker’ COVID-19 lockdown in May, our
as an artist!
Entries must be received by Tuesday 31 Community Development Team resumed activities at our Preston
Categories: August 2021.
• Children (14 years and younger)
Hub. FriYAY activities include:
• Youth (14-25 years) For more information about the Home is Where
the Art is competition, please contact us via the Artists in Action: We provide a studio space for To register your interest, please contact our
• Fine Arts aspiring artists and offer a simple craft activity Community Development Team via the details
details shown below:
• Mixed Media for interested residents, with all craft supplies shown below:
• Mindful Expressions: Exploring Wellness communitydevelopmentvic@hcau.org.au provided free to residents.
Through Art Game Gobblers: Come down, meet your Housing Choices Australia
neighbours and join us as we play a board or ATT: Community Development Team
• Best Representation of Theme 1300 312 447
card game! All games and card sets provided. 3/350 Queen Street
Melbourne 3000
When restrictions are lifted to an appropriate level,
and we receive advice from our Workplace Health
communitydevelopmentvic@hcau.org.au
and Safety Manager that enables the safe resumption
of FriYAY activities, we will be in touch with residents
who have expressed an interest in attending. 1300 312 447
COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility
Community Housing residents in Victoria are people who live with you) aged 16 years and
part of Priority Group 1 identified for vaccination older are now eligible to receive a
against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccine.
As mentioned in General Manager, Housing You can book a vaccination appointment by
Services Melissa Palframan’s column on page visiting https://portal.cvms.vic.gov.au/ or by
two, Housing Choices Australia residents and calling the Victorian Coronavirus Hotline on
Photograph taken by Taylor Phoenix members of their immediate household (i.e. 1800 675 398.
4 5
notable figures including Indian Prime Ministers
and Presidents, Mother Teresa, Nelson Mandela
Future Scholarship
and many other prominent figures.
Program
After joining the Army Postal Service in 1971, Guru
went on to work for two branches of the Indian
Government as an independent photographer.
Our Future Scholarship Program is
He served as the official photographer for Kerala open now for applicants studying
House in New Delhi for 16 years and worked for in Semester 2, 2021. We have 10
the Tamil Nadu Government.
scholarships available!
Guru and his wife, Kokila, travelled to Melbourne
in the mid-2000s to be by their eldest daughter’s This program is part of our commitment to
side when she was diagnosed with a brain working with our residents to support access to,
tumour. In 2008, they permanently
Resident Profile relocated to Melbourne.
and engagement with, education and training.
Successful applications will receive up to $500
of financial support towards out-of-pocket
Meet Guru “We came here again because my daughter said
she needed us for moral support…we settled here One of the many photographs taken by Guru
during gardening days at Chetwynd Street.
expenses associated with their studies. Expenses
may include course fees, textbooks, stationery,
and became citizens,” Guru said.
excursions and tutoring. If awarded, scholarship
In this issue of Home Stories, we Guru and Kokila lived with their daughter and her apartment at North Melbourne. They moved into funds will be supplied direct to the education or
begin a series profiling the people husband for a year at their Glenroy home before their new home in October 2012 and love its training institution or provider.
they found their own accommodation through central location.
who live in our communities. the private rental market. Scholarship applications can be made by
“Catching the train, tram and bus is easy. Housing Choices Australia residents and/or their
Guru said he and his wife “suffered like anything” Everything is here,” Guru said. children who will be participating in the following
to keep up with rental payments while living in a recognised and accredited courses:
In the Autumn edition of Home Stories, we put the small place in Richmond. “Housing Choices Australia is fantastic. These
call out to all our residents to find out who wanted people are very helpful. My wife is studying at • Year 11 or Year 12
“After that, we shifted to a small house in language school and they have provided us
to share their creative talents with us. Soon after, Broadmeadows and, while there, I met the people • Vocational Educations and Training (VET) Course
we received an email from Guruswamy (Guru for financial support for the duration of her studies.”
from Housing for the Aged Action Group and • Certificate courses (Levels 1 to 5)
short). Guru is a passionate photographer with they helped me to get this house,” Guru said. Kokila attends language school several times
more than 60 years’ experience in the field. • Diploma certificates
each week to improve her English.
Housing for the Aged Action Group put Guru in • Bachelor qualifications
In India, Guru had a very successful photography touch with Housing Choices Australia, which was Guru emphasises how keeping busy and giving
career. He photographed an extensive list of • Apprenticeship courses
able to offer him and Kokila a two-bedroom back to his community provides him with a deep
level of satisfaction. For nearly 12 years, Guru
To apply for a Future Scholarship, eligible Housing
has been on the Committee of the Northern
Choices Australia residents will need to complete
Region Indian Seniors Association (NRISA),
a Future Scholarship application form. This form is
where he helps organise events on every
available through our Community Development
third Sunday of the month. At both NRISA and
Team, which can be reached by phone or email.
Housing Choices Australia events, like our annual
Resident Christmas Party and community garden
working bees, Guru volunteers his time to snap communitydevelopmentvic@hcau.org.au
photographs and capture memorable moments.
“I am satisfied when I am doing community 1300 312 447
service – it makes me very happy. Whatever work
I did and whatever credit I got was so many years
ago, now it is just about doing what I enjoy. That
is very important and I try to give any help I can,”
Guru said.
One of Guru’s photographs. Guru and Kokila as a young married couple in
New Delhi. The couple migrated to Australia in
2008 to be with their daughter.
6 7
Victorian Resident Advisory Committee New Program
applications now open!
The Victorian Resident Advisory Committee (VRAC) is If you are interested in joining the VRAC, or have
Partake Small Grants Fund
now accepting applications for new members. any questions about the Committee, please We are pleased to announce the launch of our
contact us via the details shown below:
The VRAC is the resident voice. Members Partake Small Grants Fund.
participate directly in Housing Choices Australia’s Housing Choices Australia
decision-making processes and provide invaluable ATT: Community Development Team
feedback and input into our policies, procedures To help make participating in community
3/350 Queen Street programs a little easier, Housing Choices
and programming. Melbourne 3000 Australia residents who are aged 18 and older
Additionally, the VRAC is responsible for the can apply for grants valued up to $100.
planning and implementation of five annual VRAC communitydevelopmentvic@hcau.org.au
meetings and two social events for residents that Grant funds can be used to help cover out-of-
are paid for by Housing Choices Australia. 1300 312 447 pocket expenses associated with participating
in programs run by:
• Neighbourhood House/s
• Rotary Groups / Lions Clubs (and equivalents)
• Recognised sporting organisations
Customer Service Journey • Recognised Housing Choices Australia partner
organisations
Focus Group and Outcomes Out-of-pocket expenses may include
membership / class fees or the purchase of
required tools / equipment / uniforms.
Housing Choices Australia is actively investigating ways
If you are interested in applying for a Partake
to enhance our customer service. grant, or if you have any questions about
Partake, please contact us via the details
As part of this process, we held a resident focus our website. The report will also help shape the shown below:
group where we asked residents: Housing Choices Australia Group Business Plan
2021-23. Housing Choices Australia communitydevelopmentvic@hcau.org.au
• what they look for in Housing Choices
If you would also like to provide feedback about ATT: Community Development Team
Australia’s service provision
our service provision, please contact your 3/350 Queen Street 1300 312 447
• what they think a good resident experience Melbourne 3000
Housing Officer.
looks like
• what they think Housing Choices Australia
employees need to deliver good customer
service
Housing Choices Australia is developing a Ready to Connect: Digital Inclusion
strategic framework to embed continuous
improvement into our service provision and
feedback from residents about our services is
Housing Choices Australia has been organising digital
helping shape our framework. education workshops for residents in collaboration with
After the focus group, we consulted with our the City of Melbourne and our partners at Ready Tech Go.
staff, using the themes and goals established by
residents who attended the group and consulted
Earlier this year, we began delivering a six If you are interested in participating in the
with the Victorian Resident Advisory Committee
week program called Ready to Connect at our workshop series, please contact the Community
to further develop our understanding around
Melbourne office. We have since had to postpone Development Team on 1300 312 448 or via
what residents think about our service provision.
the workshops due to COVID-19 restrictions but communitydevelopmentvic@hcau.org.au.
The findings from these groups will be collated are aiming to resume them as soon as possible. We have a couple of spots still available!
into a report, which will be available to read on
8 9
6 Easy Tips to Stay
Warm this Winter!
Curtains & Blinds Rug it Up
Curtains and blinds can be used for more Just like curtains and blinds, rugs can be
than decorating! By keeping them open used for more than decorating! Using a rug
during the day, you let sunlight and heat in to cover your floorboards or tiles will add a
through the windows. Once the sun goes layer of insulation to the room and help to
down, you can close your curtains and keep your feet warm.
blinds to trap the heat inside.
Re-position your furniture
Use Heavy Curtains Your home is full of warm and cold areas,
Using thicker or heavier curtains adds a so try rearranging furniture so you can
layer of insulation to your windows, which spend more time in warmer areas. This
helps trap heat in. might be near windows that receive a lot
of natural light and heat or closer to the
heating unit on your wall.
Heating and Cooling Upgrades
Heaters for more than 600 properties!
A small portable heater can be used in
short bursts to quickly warm up a room Cosy Clothes Housing Choices Australia is working through delivery
and can be a cheap and easy solution. of an $8.5 million property upgrade plan aided by
The simplest and most important tip is to
Just remember to avoid using them for
wear your cosy clothes! Rugging up in a warm
prolonged periods and to always switch
jumper or some slippers is a great way to
a government stimulus package.
them off once the room has warmed up.
retain the heat your body produces naturally.
The program includes 1,250 improvements In the coming months, our Assets Team will:
across more than 600 properties in Victoria.
Most upgrades relate to energy efficient • utilise the Victorian Government’s $1,000
products like solar, split system and hot funding opportunity through a four-year
water heat pump installations. Home Heating and Cooling Upgrades
program to replace more than 400 gas space
We have worked in conjunction with Banyule and heaters with energy efficient split systems for
Moreland Councils to deliver 12 energy efficient our residents’ benefit
upgrades for residents and are currently working
• deliver significant common area
with the Shire of Mornington to deliver a further 24.
improvements at our Nation Building
Different properties require different solutions; apartment complexes
solar becomes viable when there’s enough roof • evaluate a tender to deliver 88 hot water heat
space to work with and when ageing systems are pumps to residents across Victoria.
replaced by modern efficient ones.
Property Condition Surveys allow us to evaluate We look forward to sharing the progress of
the condition of a property and plan future these projects with you!
upgrades. The stimulus program has allowed us
to fast-track some of this work and complete
other maintenance work.
10 11
You’ve Got Talent!
We know there are so many talented and creative people in our
communities and we are on the search for story ideas as well as for
people who want to contribute articles or pictures to Home Stories.
If you’re a photographer, a writer, a cook, a Please contact us at:
gardener, a knitter, a film buff, a model builder, a communications@hcau.org.au
painter, a poet – a hobbyist of some kind – let us for more information.
know! We’d love to write a story about you
and/or commission one from you about your
area of passion and expertise! Artwork: A Galaxy Somewhere Out There by Stephen Bishop
Preston Hub
137 High Street
Preston VIC 3072
Cover Photo: General Enquiries Maintenance
Lotus by Guru P 1300 312 447 P 1300 321 185
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