by Rochelle | Dec 16, 2021 | All
Housing Plus conducted our annual Customer Satisfaction Survey earlier this year and we sincerely thank those who provided us with valuable feedback. The survey provides the opportunity for you to let us know what we do well and where we can improve. It provides us with a better understanding of what is important to you so we can plan and adapt our organisation to better service and support you.
From an industry perspective, the results are extremely positive particularly considering that we have been operating remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic for the better part of 18 months. This in turn has driven considerable change and re-engineering of our processes and service delivery. We are pleased to advise that Housing Plus exceeded all benchmarks set by Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) NSW, the industry peak body for community housing providers in NSW and NRSCH, the National Regulatory System for Community Housing, by up to 10% with the three key measures being; repairs and maintenance, condition of home and overall satisfaction.
The survey also seeks to determine what is of key importance to you so we can continue to seek out funding support and opportunities to improve living conditions and wherever possible reduce the running costs of your home. Our cyclical and legislated safety inspections are paramount to ensuring that homes remain safe and secure and while we have had to limit repairs and maintenance to emergency repairs during the pandemic, safety always comes first. Energy efficiency and thermal comfort have been a key focus for Housing Plus over the past 2 years,
having recently completed several initiatives to help you reduce energy bills and improve the thermal comfort of your homes. Co-funded by Housing Plus, the NSW Home Energy Action Plan (HEAP) as well as the Federal government the energy efficiency upgrades and rooftop solar installs have been completed to ensure residents stay comfortable both in winter and summer whilst using less energy as well as the addition benefit of a reduction in energy bills.
by Rochelle | Dec 16, 2021 | All
Welcome to our Spring/Summer Customer Newsletter for 2021.
In this newsletter find out about some of the key projects our team delivered this year as well as some great tips on energy efficient cooling and heating for your home.
by Rochelle | Dec 15, 2021 | All
An innovative collaboration is set to transform a neighbourhood into much needed new social housing for the people of Mudgee.
Housing Plus has developed a proposal for the redevelopment of the NSW Government properties on the corner of Winbourne and Mulgoa Way, Mudgee. The four existing occupied dwellings as well as the 13 unoccupied, ageing and unliveable bed sits, will be replaced with eight, energy efficient, new two-bedroom homes in 2022 after an agreement on the re-development of the site in partnership with the owners of the properties, the NSW Government’s Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC).
LAHC currently manage the unoccupied properties, while Housing Plus manage the occupied properties and will relocate the existing tenants into new accommodation that they are currently building in other parts of Mudgee.
“I think it’s great and there will be more housing for people and families and the old unused units are in appalling condition, so the new houses will make the street look a whole lot better” says Lynette a current tenant in Winbourne Street. “I can’t wait. I am looking forward to moving into a brand-new home that no one has lived in before. I have driven past the new home a few times and am very excited” she continued.
In addition to managing the construction of the $3 million NSW Government LAHC funded development, Housing Plus will also provide tenancy management and maintenance services for the new residents for at least the next two decades under a long-term lease with LAHC.
Housing Plus CEO David Fisher said “This redevelopment will replace some aged and empty properties with new social and affordable housing while also significantly improving the local area. Housing Plus have put forward a solution and is delighted to be working in collaboration with NSW Government in bringing this redevelopment forward. We expect to commence on site in late 2022 and will welcome our new tenants in early 2023. Those seeking housing can apply through the Pathways Register, our local office in Mudgee will also be able to provide advice closer to the time.”
This new development is in addition to the more than 300 affordable rental homes for low to moderate income earners that Housing Plus is currently building across Central West NSW between 2019 and December 2022.
David Fisher Housing Plus CEO, Dugald Saunders MP Minister for Dubbo Electorate, Lynette Housing Plus customer and Brad Cam Chair of Housing Plus Board at the Winbourne Street development site
by Rochelle | Dec 15, 2021 | All
The tenants of sixteen new affordable homes across Dubbo, Bathurst and Parkes are now all in their new homes ready for Christmas thanks to Housing Plus. The homes built for those on low to moderate incomes are part of Housing Plus’s affordable development program which will see the Community Housing Provider build more than 305 across Western NSW by the end of 2023.
The one and two-bedroom homes are all high-quality and energy efficient homes which successfully achieved greater than 7-stars under the National Home Energy Rating System (NatHERS). This rating has significant benefits to tenants for both thermal comfort, which is identified as one of the most important factors for tenants, as well as providing low energy cost housing.
Housing Plus also provide tenants with more than housing, tenants also have access to other support services to ensure that they sustain their tenancy as well as thrive within their community.
“We are delighted to be providing these much-needed new homes in regional towns across Western NSW. Our new customers in these homes will also benefit from the tailored support we are able to offer them to assist with their health, education and employment needs. Our work shows the impact that we can have in the regional communities by locally based regional Community Housing Providers working with Government to meet local needs” says David Fisher Chief Executive Officer of Housing Plus.
by Rochelle | Dec 1, 2021 | All
Housing Plus is delighted to announce that David Fisher, our Chief Executive Officer, has been appointed to the position of Chair of Homelessness NSW.
Homelessness NSW (HNSW) is a not-for-profit organisation that operates as a peak agency for its member organisations to end homelessness across NSW. They advocate and provide leadership on homelessness issues across NSW and support effective service delivery to those who are experiencing homelessness, have experienced homelessness or are at risk of homelessness. Their members include small, locally based community organisations, multiservice agencies with a regional reach and large state-wide service providers, Housing Plus is a proud member of Homelessness NSW.
David is passionate about improving the quality of lives of individuals and communities through the provision of high quality, secure and affordable housing.
Since joining Housing Plus in 2016 the organisation has secured and is delivering one of the largest regional social and affordable house building programs, expanded its domestic family violence services and is a leading proponent of improving the standards and service of emergency accommodation for victims of domestic abuse.
Housing Plus congratulate David on his appointment and look forward to seeing the benefits of the work that HNSW continue to provide to the communities of NSW.
by Rochelle | Nov 1, 2021 | All
Housing Plus is delighted to announce that our Head of Community Services Penny Dordoy has been appointed to the Domestic Violence NSW Board. Domestic Violence NSW (DVNSW) is the peak body for specialist domestic and family violence services in New South Wales. They work from a feminist, social justice perspective and recognise that domestic and family violence (DFV) is serious, prevalent, and driven by gender inequality.
Penny has 20 years’ experience in the NFP and Government sectors, including her previous role as Manager of the Central West Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy service (WDVCAS), and led the implementation of the first regional Local Coordination Point and Safety Action Meeting as part of the Safer Pathway reforms.
Penny, as Head of Community Services for Housing Plus, is responsible for the teams who deliver tailored support programs and maintains key partner relationships. She oversees two Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Services (WDVCAS), covering 22 courts in Central and Western NSW, other domestic violence and homelessness services including our innovative men’s behaviour change program, Commit and Change, as well as other services designed to break the cycle of disadvantage and poverty. She was central to the inception, design and development of The Orchard in Orange, a gold standard, purpose-built domestic and family violence refuge using the core and cluster model.
We congratulate Penny on her appointment and look forward to seeing the benefits of the work that DVNSW continue to provide to the communities of NSW.
