We’re all different and we all live in different ways but having that voice is the key to changing things.
Luul, Western Australia resident
The WA NRAS team worked hard over the year to take on a national role, managing more than 530 assessments and submissions across four states and successfully met the deadline. Being part of the development will enable us to be part of a closed tender in 2023 and provides an opportunity to expand the Common Ground footprint from SA to WA. Co-design model to expand Common Ground to WA Housing Choices WA was successful in an expression of interest to co-design the WA Common Ground model. General Manager Natalie Sangalli and Tenant Engagement and Capacity Building Manager Leah Watkins participated in a series of sector workshops to design the operating model for a Common Ground in Perth and Mandurah.
Luul Steps Up
When Housing Choices WA resident Luul tragically lost her three-year-old brother, Muad, in the2019 Christchurch NewZealand Mosque terroristattack, Luul’spriorities changed. Thedevastatingevent became the catalyst forLuulto become moredeeplyinvolvedinher community. “I realised that I needed to step up.” Luul was born in the African country of Somalia before moving with her family to New Zealand as a refugee when she was eight. In 2003 she migrated to Australia where she met her husband, Ali. The pair began renting a two-bedroom private property but, over the years, the family grew and so did the need for more space. “We couldn’t find housing, when you have seven children … people have assumptions of properties being damaged.” The family of nine moved into their Housing Choices WA home after five years on the community housing waitlist.
After connecting with Housing Choices, Luul joined the WA Advisory Committee of Tenants (ACT). The Committee represents the state’s diverse residents and their needs, covering broad issues that affect residents through bi-monthly meetings. The Committee also aims to encourage community development through programs and initiatives. Recently Luul was made WAACT Secretary. Luul’s own involvement in the Committee has not only focused on providing meeting minutes as the secretary. She also sought to reduce barriers for culturally and linguistically diverse people by ensuring interpreting systems were available to residents wherever possible and that simple language was used in committee projects.
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2021-22 annual report
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