Each year we produce this Impact Report to gauge how our business is doing and evaluate the real impact of our work.
2008 - 2018
Impact Report
Housing Choices Australia
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Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
Insights from the Chair + Managing Director
2018 marks our 10th Anniversary as Housing Choices Australia. It’s a good time to reflect on our practices, analyse what we do well and what we can do better.
Insights from the Chair + Managing Director 02
Each year we produce this Impact Report to demonstrate how we’re performing and evaluate the real impact of our work.
We are pleased to present the facts and figures that illustrate the impact of our work. While these are necessary and important, often just hearing one person’s story has a galvanizing e ect far stronger than any graph or chart will ever achieve. These human stories matter to us. As part of our 10-year review, we’ve upgraded our organisation-wide operational processes to better understand the journey and needs of our residents and build in the capacity to feedback this input directly into our service delivery. It sounds simple enough, but is in fact a bold strategy that requires us to gather and process better data, review our practices more rigorously, listen more carefully and respond more nimbly and courageously. We believe this will provide the best possible platform to support our growth over the decade ahead, with our residents at the heart of everything we do. We commend our expanding sta teams in all four states for their tireless and innovative work and the compassion they show for the people we house. Our Board continues to provide visionary counsel and careful governance. We will continue to grow and to expand our national footprint. This is our strategy - because it is the only way we can help more people achieve what is their fundamental right - a safe home.
Our sole purpose is to improve the lives of disadvantaged Australians. We do this by providing them with access to safe, sustainable and a ordable housing. By enabling them to make our house their home, where they can feel safe, plan a future and live better lives, the benefits are felt by their families and the whole community. Across Australia, the housing environment continues to be alarmingly challenging for people on low incomes, the aged and those living with illness or disability. The national property boom has delivered bumper revenues to governments and many in the private sector. But it’s also created severe hardship for those who struggle to a ord home ownership and access a ordable rental opportunities. Year upon year, our services are in greater and more urgent demand. We strive to work harder and smarter, driven by a need to ensure that our impact is being felt in the right places and by the right people. This report shows clearly that, yes, we continue to grow in response to the increased demand for a ordable housing. We now operate in four states: Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and New South Wales. But there is still so much to be done to put right the decades of political neglect, under-investment and legislative and policy imbalances that have created such deeply-rooted housing insecurity in our country.
Arthur Papakotsias Chairman
Michael Lennon Managing Director
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Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
10 years of impact.
Passing the 10-year mark is a milestone for any organisation. It’s a clear indication that you’re here to stay but still youthful enough to have the energy and drive to continue along a strategic determined path.
We manage well over $640m of assets, with an operating revenue approaching $40m per year.
We partner with over 200 support service providers and operate resident advisory
committees in each state. These provide us with invaluable feedback on how we deliver our services; they help us create the communities and neighbourhoods that are needed to support our residents.
When Housing Choices Australia formed as an operating group in 2008, our early goals were to improve the housing choices of people living with a disability in Victoria and expand and grow our national footprint. We began with 28 sta , 1,430 residents and 895 properties. We intended to think national, but to act local.
After a decade, our portfolio now includes shared-living, family houses, apartments and studios; in properties that meld easily into towns, cities and suburbs across four states. Our residents are young and old, of diverse cultures and backgrounds, some with complex needs requiring support services and some are just making their way steadily out of di culty and hardship towards independence.
A decade on, we operate in four states, employ over 130 sta and own or manage more than 4,700 properties; providing secure homes for over 5,000 residents - 44% of whom live with a disability.
10 years of impact 04
1,400+ Residents
5,000+ Residents
28 Sta
135 Sta
850+ Properties
4,700+ Properties
$647m Total Assets
$106m Total Assets
1 O ce in VIC only
8 O ces in VIC, SA, NSW + TAS
38 Partners
203 Partners
Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
This is the impact of our work and how wonderful to be reminded in this way.
Our work speaks for itself.
Statistics and images can certainly paint a picture, but then so can one person’s story.
In March 2018 we received an unsolicited email from a former resident. A drug user from age 11, from a broken home, in transient accommodation through his teenage years, he entered our housing orbit at age 19 with serious mental health issues and a dark outlook on life. His time with us, he said, re-established his sense of place and worth in the world. He was with us for five years, during which time he quit drugs and gambling, improved his health, re-started his education, began a career and started saving. When he left us, he moved into a property that he had saved to buy himself. He was 23. He is now a financially secure 29-year old man, with a property portfolio, a corporate management career and a desire to give back. He made contact because he wanted others to know there is hope and that with the right support it is possible to build a better life. His final words were; ‘please let me know how I can help’.
Our partnerships:
Creating pathways for residents to a better life.
Across Australia, Housing Choices has ongoing partnerships with over 200 high quality service and support providers. These agencies help our residents stabilise and improve their health, financial and personal circumstances so they can better plan their futures, maintain their tenancies and take advantage of personal development, education and training opportunities that will enhance their lives and enable them to more actively engage in their communities. These partnerships are a core element of our business operating model.
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Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
Live Your Best Life
Partners Mission Australia, Volunteer SA, Catherine House, Common Ground Adelaide.
About Self-Defense
Free course by instructors with a background in working in vulnerable women’s centres. 4-8 women attended each week with the course running for a total of nine weeks. Catherine House Program This free program worked to encourage and teach women about empowerment and self-confidence. The program ran for seven weeks with some women returning for the second part of the course. Women’s Group A number of female Common Ground residents experienced social isolation and expressed interest in building social connections with like-minded peers. The Women’s Group, developed in 2017, introduced fortnightly meetings with a focus on relationship building, skill development and interest projects.
Empowering Women
Impact All courses built confidence within individuals and also allowed the women to develop friendships which are still going strong.
Total Outcomes 8 women completed self-defense courses
5-9 women attended Common Ground each week 3-6 women regularly participated in the women’s group
Our Partnership Examples 08
Healthy Mind, Healthy Body
Partners Links to Wellbeing University of Adelaide Dr Simon Vanlint
About The Integrated Health Suite includes a dental clinic, general practitioner and psychology services. It provides free dental and health care for Common Ground Adelaide tenants and to those at risk of homelessness or homeless in the community.
Integrated Health Suite
Impact Major strides to close the gap in access to mental health, oral care and general health for some of Adelaide’s homeless population.
Outcomes (Since August 2017) 207 Dental visits 221 GP visits
138 Psych visits
The Dental service celebrated its 1,000th patient this year.
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Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
Strong Start
Partners Sturt Street Children’s Centre (A South Australian Government initiative) About The Community Playgroup is a chance for children under five to come together to play and learn in a fun and stimulating environment. Children are provided opportunities to socialise, develop skills and share new experiences while parents and caregivers can share their parenting experiences.
Community Playgroup
Impact Parents share knowledge and develop supportive friendships. Positive play is modelled through sta and volunteer involvement. Parents/caregivers report feeling happier, healthier and better-equipped in their day-to-day parenting.
Outcomes 2-10 participants each week. Over 30 participants in total.
Our Partnership Examples 10
Commercial Capability Mind Australia tenancy management transfer for Victorian Residents Purpose Housing Choices’ private real estate agency, Urban Choices Property has been appointed as Managing Agent for the tenancies of Mind Australia’s various accommodation sites across Melbourne. Objective Utilise our experience in disability housing and shared home management, apply Housing Choices’ tenancy management skills and experience to broaden our range of supported tenancies. Impact Increased e ciency and property management capabilities and an enhanced resident experience. This allows Mind to focus exclusively on core support services for its clients.
Management of approx. 100 tenancies
Defined as ‘supported tenancies’
Closely aligned values of both organisations
+ +
Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
Our communities: Many people coming into social housing have poor health, may have experienced disadvantage and trauma. This can often result in feeling isolated and disconnected. Once they have a place to live, we work to rebuild a safe and secure world around them through our investment in community development initiatives. A house is a building. A home is a house filled with people who care for each other. A neighbourhood however, is a community of homes where people feel they belong to something enduring and supportive, in which they can actively participate. Neighbourhoods are vital to delivering stable tenancies and providing access to opportunity, employment, education, good health and wellbeing. Good neighbourhoods make stable societies and stronger economies.
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Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
Inspiring Our Kids Initiatives
Resident Scholarships
Technology Tutoring
Common Ground Program
Resident Advisory Committees
Building neighbourhoods through... ...community inclusion.
International Women’s Day
Sue’s Food Shed
Your Choices Fund + Community Grants
Anti-Poverty Week
Community Gardens
Harmony Day
Christmas in July
Our Communities 14
Christmas in July TAS
Sue’s Food Shed TAS
A fun, converted shipping container venue. Supported by the City of Devonport. Healthy fruit, vegetables and home-made produce for the local community.
A much-anticipated annual event for local residents and the broader community to celebrate food, music and fun. Close to 170 residents attended the two Christmas in July events, hosted by Housing Choices with assistance from a range of organisations and residents
Meet and learn about healthy eating.
Community Gardens All States
Technology Tutoring TAS In partnership with Ulverstone Neighbourhood House.
Over $25,000 invested in community gardens in 2017.
Over 15 community gardens across VIC, TAS and SA.
Kommunity Kids Programs TAS
Certificate II in Business SA 12 week individually tailored education program, with an employment pathway.
Housing Choices supports the youth education programs.
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Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
Residents Scholarships TAS, VIC
The Music Collective SA
Weekly music group develop a piece of music which can be performed or recorded. People of all musical abilities and interests are encouraged to participate with a focus on acceptance and diversity.
Over 100 scholarships paid to residents who wish to futher their education. Payments go towards school supplies, course fees, transportation and tutoring expenses.
Harmony Day TAS
Your Choices Fund VIC
Major community festival to celebrate cultural and other diversity in Hobart.
Private donation created a fund for Rapid Housing residents, families fleeing family violence. Creates new memories and experiences they could not otherwise a ord. Applications assisted by our Rapid Housing support partner, Berry Street.
Over 200 attended.
Coming together of people from 19 di erent ethnic backgrounds coming together.
Resident driven pop-up op-shop in partnership with East Devonport Community House, supported by Housing Choices. Anti-Poverty Week TAS
Our Communities 16
Residents helping to create neighbourhoods After a long period of struggling with unemployment and escalating private rental costs, Wayne moved into his Housing Choices unit in Tasmania, 18 months ago. Other residents quickly learned he had an interest in gardening and as a group they decided to do something about the landscaping at the front of the building which was becoming too overgrown. The garden area is central to people’s movements in and out of their homes and as Wayne says: “People see things happening there. If what they see is good then it gives them pride and satisfaction. It gives good energy”. Wayne is now passing on his gardening knowledge to other residents who help maintain the area. “Not everyone is able to be physically involved and that’s fine”. Wayne says he is grateful to be able to beautify the garden. “I don’t know what I would have done had I not come here...”
I don’t know what I would have done had I not come here...
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Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
...it was such a wonderful trip. We managed to do the parks and the penguin parade was incredible!
Your Choices Fund
Our Communities 18
About Utilising a private donation specifically for our Rapid Housing residents, we created a fund for families fleeing family violence. The fund allows them to create new memories and experience things they could not otherwise a ord. Eligible residents apply for funds with the support of their Berry Street support worker. Impact Last year Jenny and her children fled from family violence and made one of our 69 Victorian Government ‘Rapid Housing’ properties their new home. In her fund application, Jenny said she had never been able to take her children on a holiday. The Fund paid the expenses for her and her family to stay on Phillip Island for the weekend, something that would have been impossible within her personal budget. “It was such a wonderful trip. We managed to do the parks and the penguin parade was incredible! We loved it so much we’re going to go back to the farm with my girlfriends.”
Partners Private Donor Berry Street Victorian State Government
Housing Choices sta demonstrated empathy, respect and professionalism in all their dealings with the women and children we work with. There has been an openness and willingness to think outside the box when challenges arise and in response to any concerns our sta may have. Housing Choices lives up to its name. We work with a group of people who experience power imbalances where they haven’t had choice. This might be the first opportunity a woman has to make a decision regarding safe and stable housing for herself and her children.
- Berry Street
Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
Our investment in disability: Over a quarter of our residents live with disability. We have over 30 years’ experience in specialist disability accommodation and over one in four Housing Choices residents live with a disability. Many live independently in modified accommodation with appropriate supports, while others require live-in support. Our properties are designed to incorporate appropriate carer accommodation, where needed. After the State Government, we are the second largest disability housing provider in Victoria. We own or provide tenancy and property management services for over 100 shared living homes in Victoria alone, accommodating up to 450 people, some of whom have highly complex disability needs.
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Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
As the NDIS is implemented across Australia, we have adopted a multi-faceted approach to meet the housing needs of those living with disability.
Design + Delivery We re-develop existing housing to meet the new quality and design standards that are required under the NDIS. We build new housing stock to the highest possible design standards, with the capacity to adjust to the changing needs of a resident over the course of their life. Seamless Transitions We provide property and tenancy management services for specialist disability accommodation owned by governments or other agencies. We have been particularly successful in ensuring a seamless transition for existing residents in long-term, shared-living properties, as their funding support under the NDIS moves to separate their housing and support service payments. In other words, in some circumstances sometimes the best impact is to have no, or little impact on the everyday lives of residents. Innovative Finance We actively pursue co-investment opportunities with like-minded investors and service providers to produce innovative housing solutions for people with a disability, which could include residential capacity for live-in support.
Our investment in disability 22
Rosella Respite Centre
Partners Aspect (Autism Spectrum Australia) , DHHS Vic, Wyndham Council. About A purpose-built residential respite facility for young people living on the Autism spectrum.
Impact
163 children spent time at the facility in its first year (100% capacity)
Booked 6 months in advance
Housing Choices has played a significant role in making this service a reality and hope you realise the contribution you’ve made to so many families in West Melbourne
Matt Donnelly, National Director, Autism Spectrum Australia.
Shared Respite
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Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
Singleton Housing
Partner Victorian State Government (DHHS)
Objective To reconfigure Singleton’s shared-living property portfolio to fit the new NDIS structure, with no disruption and no disadvantage to residents. Impact Housing Choices assumed full property and tenancy management of 45 shared-living properties in Victoria. This will enable us to embark on a $30million program of improvements and housing stock growth for residents with a complex disability.
Shared-Living
Our investment in disability 24
Expanding our disability reach NSW Disability Transfer Partner Life Without Barriers (LWB) About Housing Choices launched in NSW in February 2018 with its Specialist Disability Accommodation services in South Eastern Sydney. We deliver property and tenancy management services and maintain NDIS registration for the properties on behalf of the NSW government.
Transfer of 28 NSW Government properties
Impact Commenced delivering services in NSW, improving the amenity and comfort of the existing portfolio. We now manage over 120 tenancies in 28 houses across South Eastern Sydney, in partnership with experienced disability service provider, Life Without Barriers.
Management of over 120 tenancies
+
Closely aligned values of both organisations
Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
National development projects: Identifying demand, increasing supply.
Commercial collaboration with our partners and government allows us to leverage debt facilities and access innovative finance to fund projects that are tailored to the individual needs of our residents.
Property development and asset management is a core competency of Housing Choices’ national business model across our four states of operations. From ageing, stand-alone housing in East Devonport, to disability shared-living in Eastern Sydney, we actively manage our stock to ensure that the life of each asset and tenancy is maximised.
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Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
‘Reflections’, Haines St, North Melbourne
Property was gifted to Housing Choices as part of an a ordable housing requirement
High-end housing in highly desirable location
Brand new designed fit out
Secure car parking facilities
Access to transport; trams, trains, buses
Access to CBD
Parks, gardens and open space opposite development
29 March 2018
$450,000 Value
1
1
1
1 Unit:
Completed Project
Our national developments 28
‘The Lincoln’, Olive-York Way, Brunswick
Architect-designed, a ordable housing in desirable location
Brand new high-end fit out
Secure car parking facilities
Access to transport: trams, trains, buses
Access to CBD
Nearby open space and gardens
Late April 2018
$1.8m Value
1
1
5 Units:
1
Completed Project
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Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
32 Dana Drive, Devonport Better Housing Futures
Designed for people living with disability or who are ageing
Two detached dwellings, completed on one lot
Open-plan living
Level-entry shower bases, air-conditioning, double-glazing, window coverings, landscaping, driveway and fencing
710sqm
$503,000 Total Value
2
1
2 Units:
1.5
Completed Project
Our national developments 30
35 Dana Drive, Devonport Better Housing Futures
Five semi-detached dwellings on one large sub-divided lot
2-bedroom homes with good disability access incorporated in the design
Properties meet Livable Housing Australia (LHA) guidelines for improved livability bench marks for the NDIS and could attract Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) payments Situated within 450m of a bus route to all major services and amenities. Centrelink, banks, doctors, dental services, employment agencies, police station, City Council
1007sqm
$1.2m Total Value
2
1
5 Units:
1
Completed Project
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Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
Nation Building
Better Housing Futures + Supply and demand agreements
4 Units
4 Units
Gilmont Close, Kings Meadows Launceston
Coraki Street, East Devonport North-West Tasmania
3 Stand-alone Houses
5 Units
Brookston Drive, Mornington Hobart
Beaufort Street, Somerset North-West Tasmania
Our national developments 30
Pipeline projects:
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Impact Report 2018 Housing Choices Australia
Hemmings St, Dandenong Oxford St, Newport
• •
$4.9m grant from Victorian Property Fund Grant will be used to rebuild and expand two Housing Choices properties in Dandenong and Newport Close to shops, school and public transport. Dandenong property will be transformed into a five-storey, architect-designed apartment building, increasing the capacity from 7 exisiting dwellings to 19. Newport property will developed into five new architect-designed townhouses. Construction to begin by the end of this financial year.
• •
•
•
19 Apartments in Dandenong 5 Townhouses in Newport
$10.1m Total Cost
April 2019
VPF
Victorian Property Fund
Pipeline projects 34
Kororoit Creek Rd, Williamstown North
• A ordable housing in highly desirable location • Brand-new, high-end fit out and design • Stand-alone townhouse properties • No owners corporation • Secure car parking facilities per property • Transport hub nearby • Nearby open space and parks
6 Units
2
1
2
$4m Total Cost
August 2019
‘The Reserve’
Our purpose will always be to provide people with access to safe, sustainable and a ordable housing and opportunities to enhance their lives.
Future directions: Towards 2028
The implementation of the NDIS is something no one wants to see fail. We will work collaboratively and creatively with governments and partners to deliver housing solutions to support this vital reform. It won’t be easy, but it must be done. of the tasks ahead, nor how complex the operational barriers we come up against, the purpose of our business is very simple: provide people with access to safe, sustainable and a ordable housing. From here, they will be able to access opportunities to enhance their lives. We know that when we do this, our residents will themselves build the kinds of tolerant, stable, diverse and peaceful neighbourhoods in which we all deserve to live. At the centre of everything we do will always be our residents. No matter how daunting the scale
As we prepare for our second decade, our ambitions are undiminished because we know the demand for our services is only going to increase until the currently dire national state of housing insecurity is resolved. This will take considerable time and unwavering commitment. governments on improving housing a ordability by delivering real and sustained reform. We hope to witness impact that lasts beyond an electoral cycle, that will allow the community housing sector to deliver a ordable houses and pathways to life-enhancing opportunities for those who live in them. By 2019-2020 we hope to be operating under a revitalised National A ordable Housing Agreement. We look forward to the positive Aggregator will have on our sector’s capacity to grow, to access a ordable finance and to build innovative housing solutions in quantities that will make a di erence. This should dramatically reduce waiting-lists for public housing and the number of homeless people living on our streets. We look forward to seeing the outcome of the current focus by all state and federal impact the National Housing Finance + Investment Corporation and the Bond
Housing Choices Australia Limited ABN 23 385 731 870
We are a child-safe organisation Housing Choices is committed to embedding a Child-Safe culture throughout our organisation. For all children who come in contact with our services, we will provide a warm, welcoming and safe service; at all times act in the best interests of children and work proactively to help prevent child abuse and neglect in our communities; and appropriately address issues of potential or perceived child abuse and neglect in compliance with our policies and applicable laws. In the spirit of reconciliation Housing Choices acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional owners of this country and their connection to land, water and community. We pay our respect to them, their culture and customs, and to elders both past and present.
National O ce Level 3, 350 Queen Street Melbourne VIC 3000
P 1300 312 447
www.housingchoices.org.au
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