Welcome to our Spring Newsletter for 2023.
In this newsletter, we welcome our new CEO, Justin Cantelo, alongside some new faces in the team, who have recently joined us.
You will also find some handy tips to perform some Spring cleaning on the filters around your house and information on resources to help ease the cost of living.
Read HERE now!
This Design Guide has been developed by Housing Plus in collaboration with Custance Architects. It explores the importance of providing thoughtful and high[1]quality design for those affected by domestic and family violence (DFV) and key factors that need to be considered when new facilities are designed and built, through design that meets their need for dignity, independence, safety and connection. The Design Guide outlines the necessary standards, principles and features that are essential in delivering successful future housing for those affected by DFV and has been developed in collaboration with other key stakeholders with experience in providing DFV accommodation across Australia. The Guide is a work in progress document that will, over time, continue to improve with the feedback and survey work that we intend to continue with local, state, and federal stakeholders.
This design guide has been developed for organisations or individuals involved in developing new or refurbished specialist DFV accommodation in Australia. It is proposed that this guide will be used by community housing providers, government agencies, specialist DFV and homelessness providers, private developers, Architects, Planners and other development professionals. The guide has been developed in such a way that development professionals can apply the design standards and features, included within this guide, to the different state planning policies across Australia.
We are confident this guide will prove a valuable resource in the provision of fit for purpose housing that truly encompasses the diverse requirements of those affected by DFV.
Design Guide: Specialist Domestic Violence Accommodation
Introducing the Housing Plus Shot of Support fundraising and awareness campaign for The Orchard Dubbo, The Orchard is crisis accommodation for women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
Participating cafés and businesses will be donating $1 from every coffee sold on the day or donating a percentage of their profits.
We would love to see the Dubbo community get behind this great cause and join us for a coffee on Friday 21st October.
The money we raise will go towards furnishing one of the 4 self-contained units we are building as crisis accommodation for women and children escaping domestic and family violence.
The Orchard will be purpose-built accommodation specifically for women and their children who are escaping domestic and family violence. With women also having access to the Housing Plus Frith Street Office, which provides office space, counselling rooms, meeting rooms, group programs and communal spaces for clients accessing Housing Plus’s Dubbo-based services, including domestic violence support, social and affordable housing, and training and employment support.
A volunteer fundraising committee has been started and they are meeting monthly to organise other fundraising events and support other organisations who are fundraising on our behalf. This amazing group of volunteers are passionate about supporting the women and children of Dubbo and surrounding towns. If you are interested in supporting this vital project in Dubbo either by volunteering or donating, please contact Housing Plus via info@housingplus.com.au or calling 1800 603 300.
Housing Plus has relocated all our existing Bathurst based tenancy and community services to our new premises at 61 Boyd Street.
These include tenancy and maintenance services, Opportunity Pathways, which supports social housing clients to access practical and financial assistance, training, and work opportunities to help them prepare for employment, find a job, work more hours, or improve their employment options.
The Bathurst and Lithgow Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service will also operate from Boyd Street.
The new premises contain meeting, conference, and event facilities for up to 60 people, we encourage community groups and service providers to get in touch with us if they would like to use this space for meetings and client appointments, please contact us via email bathurst@housingplus.com.au
The Cadetship Project is a new opportunity that provides successful applicants to undertake paid employment with a Community Housing Provider and study a Certificate IV in Social Housing for a period of 12-months. This combination of training and work means you can earn as you learn!
Applications Are Now Open
With only 25 cadetships on offer this year, now is the time to submit your application and commence the process of assessment and review to see if you’re a suitable candidate. Be sure to get in early as applications close at 5pm on Friday 6 April 2021.
For full details about the Cadetship Program and application process, read the Information Pack to ensure you follow all required steps and understand what’s involved.
For further information please go to the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) website Cadetship – Community Housing Industry Association NSW. When you’re ready to start your application, simply click on the Apply Now button to complete and submit it. Once received, CHIA will be in contact with you directly.
If you have any further questions in the meantime, feel free to send CHIA an email at cadetship@communityhousing.org.au.
Thanks again for your interest and best of luck with your application!
Wiree is a refuge for individuals experiencing homelessness in Orange managed by Housing Plus.
In 2019, Housing Plus received $325,000 from the Department of Communities and Justice to fund the renovations through the Outsourced Maintenance Program for crisis accommodation.
There are nine single rooms which include a TV, fridge, bed and ensuite, communal area that includes a kitchen and a lovely outdoor space for residents, and an office for Housing Plus staff.
One of the rooms has been modified to be wheelchair accessible.
Housing Plus deliver the specialist Homelessness Service in Orange and assist people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Our Case Management is a client centred, trauma informed, and strengths-based approach aimed at empowering and working in partnership with clients to effectively meet their individual needs.
One of our tenants has given us permission to share their story about their experience with the Housing Plus specialist homelessness service to read more click on the link below