by HousingPlus | Jul 2, 2020 | Case Study
We have significant experience managing the complexities associated with tenancy and property management transfer in a regional centre.
Between 2005 and 2007, we worked in partnership with Housing NSW to transfer tenancy and property management services of over 297 properties in the towns of Mudgee, Gulgong, Rylstone and Kandos in Mid West NSW. This property management transfer included almost all social housing in the area.
Since 2007, we have had full management and financial responsibility for the ongoing responsive, cyclical and planned maintenance, and tenancy services of these properties.
Secret of our success
We established a dedicated transition team, reportable to the CEO and Board of Directors, to ensure effective oversight and delivery. The transition team was effectively resourced, and a detailed transition plan with key milestones and reporting arrangements, was implemented. The transition team worked with FACS to develop a phased handover plan as the local Housing NSW office was closed, and leases and former FACS employees were transferred.
This plan supported us to move into a new area, establish a local presence and lead the delivery of services.
The priority – and measure of overall success – was to ensure service continuity with no drop in service quality.
Tenancy management services
As part of the agreed property management transfer, all Housing NSW tenants were offered the choice to transfer to Housing Plus. Those that transferred were required to sign a new tenancy agreement. There was significant consultation and communication with tenants and local partners during this process including: face to face visits; the establishment of a 1800 information number; media activities; community events; and tenant advocacy.
The aim of these activities was to dispel rumours and fears by providing accurate and timely information for affected tenants and partners, thereby ensuring a smooth transfer, no drop in service standards, and maintaining the reputations of both FACS and Housing Plus.
Property management services
As part of the transition, a survey of all properties was conducted to establish any maintenance backlog and to agree future maintenance plans with LAHC. Capital contributions from the Department of Housing and Housing Plus supported delivery of maintenance programs to bring properties up to agreed standards. Renewal proposals were developed for consideration by LAHC to ensure long-term retention of value in the assets and better meet the changing needs of the area.
Maintenance management
As part of the transition, it was agreed that the LAHC maintenance contract would continue with the existing head contractor, Pro Group, for 18 months. The maintenance service contract was re-procured to ensure service continuity. Throughout this process, we fulfilled all obligations for responsive maintenance and property condition under the Residential Tenancies Act, residential tenancy agreements and lease.
Access and demand services
As a result of the management transfer program, we became the primary access point for access and demand services in the Mid West NSW region, assisting people to seek safe, secure and affordable accommodation. A phased withdrawal of services was agreed to ensure service continuity. Services include face to face assessment and advice, and remote application assessment using telephone, MyHousing self-service tools and the Housing Contact Centre to:
- Manage applications for housing assistance under Housing Pathways (Homes)
- Manage the NSW Housing Register (Homes)
- Facilitate access for clients requesting assistance with Rentstart, including: the Rentstart Bond Loan; Advance Rent; Rentstart Move; and Tenancy Assistance
- Facilitate access to temporary accommodation.
Whole of location networks and services
As the primary social housing provider in Mudgee and surrounds, we support a number of key groups and networks:
- Mid Western Regional Interagency Group: this group brings together community services, welfare agency employees and other members of the community in a collaborative environment to:
- Share information pertaining to the delivery of services within Mudgee, Gulgong, Rylstone and Kandos
- Share resources
- Identify and promote collective priorities
- Develop strategies to identify and address priority issues and target groups
- Support the development of new services.
- Mudgee Homelessness Brokerage Group: this group coordinates brokerage for the homelessness service. Membership includes Housing Plus, Mid Western Regional Council and other NGOs. Regular meetings with FACS are organised based on individual case requirements.
- The Mudgee People Against Violence Committee: this group is committed to awareness raising, community education and integrated service responses to domestic and family violence in the Mudgee and Mid Western Regional Council area. The committee provides education about all forms of violence and its effects on women, children, individuals and families to:
- Promote strategic and collaborative work practices that support an integrated response to domestic and family violence
- Support better justice responses to domestic and family violence
- Support education, training and professional development of committee members and service providers
- Promote and support early intervention and prevention strategies aimed at ending domestic and family violence
- Facilitate a voice for children in domestic and family violence
- Identify gaps and monitor emerging trends in the area of domestic and family violence.
by HousingPlus | Jul 2, 2020 | Case Study
In 2014-15 In 2014-15, Central West NSW was experiencing a critical shortage of affordable housing. Vacancy rates were very low, real estate agents were reporting waiting lists for affordably priced accommodation and rent increases were well above CPI. The surge in mining activity, particularly in Orange and Mudgee, was driving the conversion of unfurnished affordable dwellings into furnished or serviced accommodation for high-income resource workers, leading to a subsequent increase in rent. Local schools were struggling to attract teachers due to the lack of affordable housing. Housing stress was high.
In major urban centres, a localised shortage of affordable accommodation is not a huge problem as people have the option to move to other suburbs. However, in Central West NSW, there are no reasonable and accessible alternatives. Residents must choose between long distance commuting with the consequential cost and social dislocation, or leave the area altogether.
To respond to the affordable housing crisis, Housing Plus developed 53x Social and Affordable dwellings in Orange, Bathurst and Mudgee, NSW, through debt and equity finance, and subsidies from the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS). The dwellings comprised a mix of 1BR, 2BR and 4BR villas, with a development value of $14.5M.
Dwellings were designed to the Platinum level of the Liveable Housing Design Guidelines and 6-star energy rating, which provides living comfort and reduced utility costs for tenants and Housing Plus as the owner. Their design was intentional to ensure suitability and adaptability for a range of housing needs. All sites are centrally located, close to services and facilities, and public transport.
Housing Plus contracted leading regional builder, Rawson Homes, to deliver the dwellings on a turnkey contract. Rawson Homes was responsible for negotiating and purchasing the land, design, subdivision, construction planning approvals, civil works and construction. Housing Plus purchased the dwellings on completion for a pre-agreed price and specification, insulating Housing Plus from the risks associated with property development. The homes were delivered in an 18-month staged handover.
All 53 dwellings were completed on time and within budget, and all tenancies were filled within six weeks of Practical Completion.
by HousingPlus | Jul 2, 2020 | Case Study
In 2014, Orange was chosen as the regional launch site for the NSW State Government’s ‘It Stops Here: Safer Pathway’ reforms, which aimed to improve the Government’s response to domestic and family violence in NSW.
Housing Plus played a leadership role in the launch, implementation and delivery of these reforms, including:
- Application of a new domestic and family violence Safety Assessment Tool to be used by NSW Police and support coordination services
- Establishment of a Local Coordination Point to provide an immediate safety response and wraparound support coordination
- Implementation of the State’s first Safety Action Meeting
Partnering for change
During the implementation stage, we worked collaboratively with NSW Police and Legal Aid to provide a number of information sessions about Safer Pathways: how it would work and what would change. These sessions were designed to bring individuals, agencies and community groups onboard to ensure the reforms were as effective as possible.
We also consulted with impacted stakeholders to address any underlying concerns. For example, the reforms meant that information could now be shared at Safety Action Meetings without the consent of the client, causing concern for some segments, particularly Aboriginal groups, who were apprehensive about the presence of child protection authorities at these meetings. To address these concerns, we presented to Aboriginal women’s groups and service providers, sent out newsletters and other resources, undertook media activities, and kept groups and individuals updated on how the Safety Action Meetings were progressing.
Our success
We worked closely with Legal Aid and NSW Police to refine the Safety Action Meeting processes and policies, and became renowned for an incredibly successful reform that others in the State sought to replicate.
Housing Plus is now part of the Western Region Governance Group for the Safer Pathways reforms and performs an advisory role to other locations rolling out the reforms.
by Rochelle | Jun 29, 2020 | Developments, News
Article Published in the Western Advocate 26.6.20
CAPTION : David Hines of Hines Constructions, Member for Bathurst Paul Toole, Sam Farraway MLC, mayor Bobby Bourke and Housing Plus CEO David Fisher.
A NEW affordable housing development will be available to some of the city’s most vulnerable before the end of the year.
Work is moving at a great pace at The Brickworks on the corner of Havannah and Baillie Streets, where Housing Plus has invested $6.4 million to have an affordable housing complex built.
Housing Plus is delivering this project through the NSW Government’s $1.1 billion Social and Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF), and local company Hines Constructions has been hired to do the work.
Housing Plus CEO David Fisher, said the location was chosen due to its proximity to the central business district.
“Housing Plus started in Bathurst over 30 years ago as a housing provider, so we have over 300 properties in Bathurst at the moment,” he said.
“In terms of this development, it’s a convenient location for the centre of town, so it will be convenient for our tenants to access shopping and other services and it provides enough space for the number of properties we wanted to provide.”
Twenty units will be built and they’ll be a mix of one and two bedroom dwellings.
The complex has been designed to fit within the existing heritage area and Hines Constructions’ David Hines said they’re being built with all the mod-cons.
“We’ve got twenty brick veneer dwellings here. Each has got its own carport, there’s a mix of one and two-bed units, they’re fully insulated, they’ve got all the mod-cons in it, so I’m sure they’ll be good for another 50 or 60 years,” he said.
The complex will be utilised by people who are on low incomes, including people at risk of homelessness, victims of domestic violence, older women, people with serious medical conditions and people with disabilities.
Member for Bathurst Paul Toole, who visited the site on Thursday, said it was an important project for the community.
“It’s going to make a big difference to the lives of so many people in our local area; it actually prevents things like homelessness and it provides affordable rent for people in our local community,” he said.
Construction on the complex is due for completion in October and shortly after that tenants can move in.
People who would like to live in this development are asked to contact Housing Plus to signal their interest.
“Basically you’re put on a property register and those most in need are allocated a property,” Mr Fisher said.
The development application was lodged with Bathurst Regional Council in 2019 and approved in August 2019.
Mayor Bobby Bourke said he was pleased this site was finally going to be utilised, especially for something so important. “I grew up in a Housing Commission house, so I know what it’s like for families to struggle, so I’m glad to see in my term [as mayor] for something to come about for people in need,” he said.
The Brickworks development is part of Housing Plus’ $75 million investment to provide 220 new homes across the Central West as part of the SAHF.
There will be 51 affordable homes built in Bathurst over a three-year period, which equates to a $16.5 million spend in the local economy.
by Rochelle | Jun 29, 2020 | News
Caption: Father Paul Devitt, Gary Wright, Housing Plus, Justin Cantelo, Housing Plus, Project Director, and Catholic Bishop of Bathurst, the Most Reverend Michael McKenna, outside the former Opal Aged Care Facility.
Article published in the Western Advocate 23 June 2020
PLANS to reopen the former Kelso nursing home as emergency accommodation are still afoot with Housing Plus hoping the project will be operational later this year.
Last year the former Opal Aged Care Facility was purchased by the Catholic Diocese of Bathurst with plans to utilise the former 80-bed facility to house the homeless, and those fleeing domestic violence or other situations.
The operation of the facility is being managed by Housing Plus, a specialist service provider directly supporting individuals in the region who are experiencing homelessness and family violence.
While COVID-19 has delayed the reopening, Housing Plus Chief Executive Officer, David Fisher, said there is plenty of work going on behind the scenes.
“The former, currently unused, Opal Nursing Home at Kelso will soon be operating as Housing Plus Connect and will serve as both an office and community space for our housing and community services staff as well as for community purposes with a further proposal to provide accommodation and services to women and children who are escaping domestic and family violence.
“These services include tenancy and maintenance services and our community programs including training and employment program, 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.”
Mr Fisher said from July 1, the Bathurst and Lithgow Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service will also operate from our current Bathurst office and in due course relocate to Housing Plus Connect as will the team responsible for building 51 new homes currently under construction by Housing Plus including those at Havannah Street in Bathurst.
“While there have been some delays, we expect to be open in mid – late September.
“In the meantime we have been working with the local Bathurst Rotary Daybreak to redistribute medical supplies and furniture left by the former operator.
“This was done with the support of the Bathurst Diocese who are the owners of the building,” he said.
by Rochelle | Jun 18, 2020 | News
Orange’s first Domestic Violence Crisis Centre, The Orchard, is on track to be operational later this year, thanks to a $75,000 donation towards the fit out and provision of furniture from Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley Operations (Cadia).
The donation is part of Newcrest’s $20M Community Support Fund which has been established to assist their local communities cope with the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The project was approved during National Domestic Violence Prevention month in May, when authorities reported a concerning increase in domestic violence which was attributed in part to the impacts of COVID-19.
The financial support has been welcomed by Housing Plus.
Housing Plus Chief Executive Officer, David Fisher, said “Cadia were one of the first local businesses to show support for The Orchard and have again been willing to help by committing a further $75,000 towards the remaining fit out costs. The Orchard is now nearing completion and we look forward to helping those women and children in need of support.”
Acting General Manager, Aaron Brannigan, said Cadia donated $75,000 towards the construction of the Orchard in 2017 and is proud to step up again with a further donation to ensure the completion of the project.
“We share the vision of Housing Plus for this facility. We were one of the first organisations to support their ambitious fundraising campaign for the Orchard in 2017, and we were proud to stand with them as it comes to fruition. This donation will enable Housing Plus to complete the project and to provide access to safe accommodation and support for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence in Orange,” Aaron said.
“COVID-19 has affected everyone in many different ways. Due to recent government restrictions we were advised that upcoming fundraising opportunities had been postponed. We felt Orange had waited long enough for this facility and we didn’t want the hard work of Housing Plus to be met with delays.”
Construction of The Orchard commenced in November 2019 and Cadia’s donation will provide the furnishings towards the Centre’s common area kitchen, lounge room and outdoor areas, with furniture being sourced locally.
The Orchard will provide a safe, multi-purpose crisis centre for women and children that are deemed high risk and require 24-hour support.
Sadly, rates of domestic violence in the Orange region are double the state average and until now, Orange was the only regional NSW city that does not have refuge for victims, assessed by NSW Police as “at serious threat of further injury or death.”
Photo Caption: L to R
Aaron Brannigan, Acting General Manager Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Valley Operations, David Fisher, CEO Housing Plus, Justin Cantelo Projects Director Housing Plus, Penny Dordoy, Head of Community Services Housing Plus
by Rochelle | Jun 2, 2020 | News
Housing Plus is soon to commence renovations to transform the former Opal aged care facility in Boyd Street, Kelso, into a local service base for a range of its community services as well as a multipurpose centre for residents and groups of Kelso/South Bathurst and the wider community.
The new Housing Plus Connect office will contain meeting, conference and event facilities for up to 60 people. Housing Plus will also relocate its existing Bathurst-based community services to the centre. These include tenancy and maintenance services and its training and employment program, 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. From 1 July, the Bathurst and Lithgow Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service will also operate from there as will the team responsible for building 51new homes currently under construction on Bathurst.
The Catholic Diocese of Bathurst purchased the property in late 2019 and has since entered into a lease agreement with Housing Plus to manage and operate the premises. Housing Plus is a not for profit, charity that provides both accommodation and community services and has operated in Bathurst for over 30 years.
Housing Plus CEO, David Fisher, says, “We have outgrown our current Howick Street office and with a range of new community services we were looking for new premises. This arrangement with the Diocese is ideal as it brings back into use a large facility for community use.’
As part of the renovation process, the Diocese and Housing Plus have distributed furniture to the local homelessness service in Bathurst. The Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak is helping Housing Plus to distribute the medical equipment and furniture left at the aged care facility when the patients were relocated.
The medical equipment will be going to a charity called Donations in Kind who will be accepting the beds, battery operated lifters, walking frames and wheelchairs and donating them to hospitals in the Pacific Region.
“Members of the Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak have donated their time to assess the equipment and make it ready for transport to their warehouse in Castlehill. From here it will be distributed throughout the Pacific region with the first shipment to Timor-Leste. This has been a most valuable gift and we have been delighted to work with Housing Plus and the Catholic Diocese in this way” said Erik Mol, Club President.
Photo Caption – L to R: Fr Paul Devitt, the Vicar General, Catholic Diocese, Irene Jones, Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak, Gary Wright, Manager Assets & Procurement, Housing Plus, Erik Mol, President, Rotary Club of Bathurst Daybreak, David Fisher, CEO, Housing Plus
by HousingPlus | Apr 8, 2020 | All
The Australian Government has announced strict measures to limit the spread of the coronavirus in the community. People are advised to limit their movements to essential things like grocery shopping or getting to and from work, and to maintain “social distance” by avoiding close contact with other people. Rest assured that Housing Plus is here for you during this time but we are reducing the face-to-face contact of our services.
Please click on the Covid-19 April Update for information about processes that have been implemented to meet social distancing requirements and for the health and safety of staff and customers.
by HousingPlus | Mar 31, 2020 | Media, News
Media Release
30 March 2020
Housing Plus welcomes government commitments to ensure tenants are safely housed during the COVID-19 crisis.
Housing Plus support Real Estate Agents and owners who are working with their tenants experiencing rental stress due to job loss as a result of COVID-10, to help to keep them in their homes.
If there are private tenants who are worried about being evicted, Housing Plus encourages them to get in touch with their real estate agent and if necessary, there is helpful advice from organisations such as Verto or their local Homelessness Service provider.
David Fisher, CEO, Housing Plus says “My message to Housing Plus customers is we are here to help. You will not lose your house if you have lost your job. We invite any Housing Plus customer who as a result of COVID-19, are now in financial distress and unable to meet their commitments to contact us on 1800 603 300. We will work with individual households to tailor arrangements based on their needs and keep them in their home.”
“We wish to reassure our customers that the additional Coronavirus Supplements, Special Payments or the Government Stimulus Payment are not assessable income for social housing tenants. This means around 90% of our customers will have more money in their household budget, almost double, to meet expenses whilst continuing to pay their rent.” says David.
“Our priority remains in keeping our customers in their home, maintaining our services and helping the most vulnerable. We will be introducing a new Good Neighbour service for customers isolated by COVID-19 later this week.” David says
Housing Plus are ensuring their other essential services continue to operate including homelessness, domestic family violence and employment and training. Clients and customers are encouraged to call the office to talk to service specialists, rather than dropping into their local offices. Details on how to contact Housing Plus has been provided to our customers and will be part of our regular updates.
Though the way Housing Plus operate has changed for now, we continue to serve and support our communities. Housing Plus would like to thank its partners, government departments and wider community for its support.
Details of how Housing Plus are delivering their services can be found on our website www.housingplus.com.au
ENDS
For further information, or to organise an interview telephone Communications Coordinator, Rochelle Monaghan, on 0419 960 710 or email rochelle@housingplus.com.au
For more information about Housing Plus, visit www.housingplus.com.au
