Autumn 2025
2024 Resident Survey snapshot P3 Home is Where the Art is Competition P4 More homes, better homes,
across the country P5
Artwork ‘Come Away With Me’ by Housing Choices resident Rae Kop.
HChoicesAU
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everyone has access to an affordable, comfortable, and supportive home. Thank you for being part of our journey, and we hope you enjoy reading about the progress we are making together. I would also like to take this opportunity to share a good news story with you. A former Transitional Housing Management (THM) tenant, who had been homeless for five years, started his tenancy with us in 2020. With the support of our partners, Thorne Harbour, he has stabilised his physical and mental health, secured employment, and rebuilt his life. By the end of 2024, he reached an incredible milestone - purchasing his very own one-bedroom home and becoming a proud homeowner. This is a strong reminder as to why we do what we do - helping people find stability, security, and a place to call home. In Victoria, Alex from the Community Engagement Team has been working with the Resident Advisory Committee Working Group to create a Welcome to Housing Choices presentation. With all the new
homes we plan to build in Victoria over the next few years, this is a great initiative. In the coming months, information sessions will be held for interested residents to learn more about what we’re doing. We’ll keep you posted. I am also thrilled to introduce our new Director of Housing Services, Cynara Miles. Originally from Perth, Cynara brings over two decades of experience in the housing and community housing sectors. She is deeply committed to enhancing our services for you, our residents, through our national services model. Cynara is also passionate about addressing the needs of diverse and vulnerable communities, ensuring that we continue to improve and meet everyone’s unique requirements. We are incredibly fortunate to have Cynara join the Housing Choices team and she is looking forward to meeting you as and when opportunities arise. Please join me in giving her a warm welcome when you see her.
I hope you all had a wonderful summer and found some time to relax and recharge. This edition of Homes Stories is packed with exciting updates, stories, and important news. We’ve included a special section highlighting some of our most anticipated housing projects underway across Australia, where we’re not only building more homes but also improving the quality of living for people and families in need. From Hannah Harvey Executive Group Director Customer Services
From new developments to community initiatives,
we are committed to making a positive impact and ensuring
Acknowledgement of Country In the spirit of reconciliation Housing Choices Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Victoria and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
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2024 Resident Survey snapshot
A huge thank you to all residents who took part in our 2024 annual survey! With 31% of Victorian residents sharing their feedback, your input is essential in shaping our services. While the survey is conducted nationally, we’re highlighting state specific results to make sure what you see aligns with your experiences locally. Our learnings from each state will allows us to focus on local improvements but also share best practices across the country as we move toward a national service model, ensuring a consistent and high-quality experience for our residents across the country. We’re now developing local and national action plans based on your insights and will share updates in the Winter edition of Home Stories .
Your satisfaction with our services
satisfied with neighbourhood 84 %
satisfied with condition of home 85 %
78 %
76 %
satisfied with repairs and maintenance service
satisfied with repairs and maintenance quality
satisfied with resident involvement 66 %
satisfied with communications 78 %
71 %
satisfied with how we take your views into account
1. Repairs and Maintenance. 2. Overall condition of home. 3. Communications with Housing Choices. 4. Listening to tenant views and acting on them. Areas of service most important to residents
1. Social and wellbeing activities. 2. Understanding more about maintenance and repairs. 3. Dealing with anti-social behaviour. 4. Understanding more about rent and rent reviews. Activities residents are most interested in
Survey prize draw winners
Congratulations to the winners of our survey prize draw! 10 residents from across WA, VIC, SA, and TAS were randomly selected from all national survey respondents to receive a $100 gift voucher. Our winners are Glen, Alice, Scout, Michael, Anne, Beverley, Gaylene, James, Jayleesa, and Kylie.
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We are pleased to share our first Pet Social champion of the year, Shadow the Pug. Shadow is 7 years young, and a funny dog who has melted the hearts of the residents in Geelong. She makes everyone laugh and has been a talking point with the residents. Shadow enjoys cuddles and being social with the other animals in the building. She loves the kids, and all the residents’ kids enjoy coming to visit to see Shadow pug. Thank you to Aaron for submitting Shadow and her story to our Pet Social. Pet Social
Above: Tracey ‘Peep into the Peninsula’.
Home is Where the Art is 2025 – artist call out!
Hello artists! We are back for yet another year of Home is Where the Art is. If you want to enter your art into our 2025 competition, grab an entry form from Alex or scan the QR code . You can contact Alex at communitydevelopmentvic@hcau.org.au or 1300 312 447 . Do you have some artistic neighbours? Grab some extra entry forms to hand out. Let’s make it bigger and better! The competition is open to any and every artist, no matter your experience or skill level. We would love to see your artwork. Enter your artwork into the competition and have it showcased at our exhibition! Simply fill out the entry form, attach some high-quality photos and send it to Alex by the due date. Be mindful that the photos you attach will be the ones used to judge your artwork. Your artwork will be judged by our esteemed Resident Advisory Committee and various HCA staff, from Housing to Assets to Finance. Entries are due on Friday, August 1 st .
As you all know, Pet Social is a feature in each Home Stories newsletter. We love to share how your pets make your lives better. Don’t forget to submit your favourite pet photos and story to be nominated for a $100 gift card to communitydevelopmentvic@hcau.org.au
Scan me to download the entry form
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More homes, better homes across the country!
New and affordable homes at Riverwalk Estate, Werribee Victoria
Tasmania Construction at Queens Walk is well underway
Western Australia 30 new homes coming to Busselton
Residents have now moved into our 18 new homes at Riverwalk Estate in Werribee, delivered in partnership with Homes Victoria and EveryOne, a division of Metricon Homes. Eight of the houses were purchased by our valued partner Aboriginal Housing Victoria. We hope our new residents enjoy their beautiful homes and look forward to building a vibrant and welcoming community here - a part of the expansive Riverwalk Estate!
Great things are happening at our Queens Walk community in New Town, Hobart! Construction is proceeding smoothly for two new buildings, alongside the iconic 1950s towers that were renovated and expanded by Housing Choices over the last decade. This upcoming development will deliver 65 new architecturally designed social and affordable apartments for people in need. Located in the scenic surrounds of Cornelian Bay, the project will feature secure bike parking, improved landscape lighting, and inviting recreational spaces — all close to public transport and a range of outdoor facilities. Delivered in partnership with Homes Tasmania, this new community will offer comfort, connection, and convenience in a beautiful, well-connected location. Thank you to our wonderful Queens Walk residents, who have been so patient and cooperative during construction.
Located 220kms south of Perth, Busselton is a beautiful coastal town - home to the longest wooden jetty in the southern hemisphere, built in 1851! We’re excited to announce Housing Choices will build 30 new social and affordable homes here by the end of 2026, in partnership with the State Government and Development WA. Located opposite Churchill Park, a short walk from Busselton’s downtown hub of Queen Street, our residents will have easy access to public transport, shops, services, and amenities. The architect- designed development features 22 one-bedroom and 8 two-bedroom apartments, all with environmentally sustainable features. We can’t wait to kick off this exciting project.
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Do you know someone who is a particularly good neighbour and ticks some of the boxes below? Housing Choices Australia would like to help you thank them and recognise their contribution to the community by rewarding them. Is your neighbour: Friendly and helpful? Mindful of others? Respectful of others’ privacy and lifestyles? Or does your neighbour: Help others? Good Neighbour Initiative
Above: Previous winner, Troy's Garden.
Spring Garden Competition
Whilst Autumn has only just begun, it’s a great opportunity to remind you that our Spring Garden Competition is running this year. If you are an avid outdoor gardener, tend to your indoor plants or just want to give gardening a go, this competition is a great opportunity to work on your green thumbs. Gardening is an amazing way to get in touch with nature but also has great benefits to mental and physical health. All types of gardens can be entered, from veggie to flower to indoor sanctuaries. Share photos of your garden with us to get the chance to win one of four $100 Bunnings vouchers . To enter the competition, send photos of your garden to communitydevelopmentvic@hcau.org.au. Make sure to include some background information on you, your garden, and what your garden means to you. Send your photos in by Monday, 3 rd November. Your gardens will be judged by members of our Resident Advisory Committee. This year, we have four categories you can
Contribute to the local community? Do good deeds for others?
Maintain their property? Alert others to danger?
The Good Neighbour Initiative recognises the impact that good neighbours have on our wellbeing.
To nominate a Good Neighbour, give us a call on 1300 312 447 , send us an email at communitydevelopmentvic@hcau.org.au or tell your Housing Officer . One good neighbour and one nominator will be awarded with a certificate and voucher each quarter. If you have nominated a particular neighbour before, please nominate a different one, so everyone gets a chance to be the best neighbour!
submit your garden under: • Best vegetable garden • Best flower garden • Best backyard • Best indoor sanctuary Happy gardening!
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Community Engagement funding updates
The Community Engagement Team (CE) budget has undergone some changes. As the organisation goes through its restructure, the CE Team are shaping its goals and intentions. Due to budgetary constraints, there has been some reshuffling to ensure the Team is conducting work to a high standard. Please note this information is correct as of 28/03/2025 and may be subject to change. The HELP voucher and Resident Assistance Fund has ceased. This change occurred in late 2024. The Team encourages you to reach out to local support services such as your council, neighbourhood house or community health service for support in times of need. The CE Team can investigate options for you upon request. The Partake Grant has also ceased. This funding went toward supporting residents attend local community activities and groups, such as the gym or art classes. We encourage you to contact your local council-run sports or leisure centres to find options that suit your budget.
Ask Izzy – support service online tool With the changes to the Community Engagement Team in mind, we take this opportunity to share a great and handy resource. Ask Izzy is a mobile website that connects people who are in crisis with the services they need right now and nearby. Ask Izzy has over 450,000 support services for you to explore, covering topics such as food, money help, health and wellbeing, work and much more.
The Your Futures Fund Scholarship continues to be available to residents, capped at $500 toward out-of-pocket study expenses. However, this Scholarship is now only open to new applicants. If you have received a Your Futures Fund Scholarship previously, you will not be eligible to receive another one. This change is in line with the Community Engagement Team’s commitment to funding equity – giving all residents the chance to receive funding.
Simply head to https://askizzy.org.au/ and explore or scan this QR code .
Applications for Semester 1, 2025 are now closed. If you wish to apply for Semester 2, 2025, please send your application to communitydevelopmentvic@hcau.org.au from July 1 st .
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Home Stories Autumn puzzle Win a $50 Bunnings voucher!
Find all the words in the word search except for one, which is not actually in the grid. Words may be forward, backward, up, down or diagonal.
Find these Aussie Classics in the grid!
M A D M A X E
E X H Y U W
I
Z R
Y C M E
T B Q P
L O
L A U M O X Z N C M N M B K V R B R T W Z C L U U Y T L U A T V B M F G D K J L O P T Q L A M I N G T O N V C I P L A T Y P U S P L A B D W I G G L E S O R T D X N I V B U D A K A K M T W O P O C R O C O D I L E Q B B A Q D E D A L J
Lamington Uluru Crocodile Dundee Platypus ACDC Wiggles Mad Max
Pavlova Kakadu Bondi Wombat Mate Milo Vegemite
Please tell us the remaining word before Friday June 13 2025 by emailing communitydevelopmentvic@hcau.org.au or posting your answer to: Level 3, 350 Queen Street, Melbourne VIC 3000. Only one entry is allowed per household. The winner will score themselves a $50 Bunnings voucher and will be drawn from the correct entries. Good luck!
Useful contacts
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 Victorian Government free Energy Assistance Program: 1800 161 215 SANE: https://www.sane.org/
Anglicare Emergency Relief: 1800 809 722 or find a service: https://www.anglicarevic.
National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007 Lifeline: 13 11 14 QLife: 1800 184 527
org.au/our-services/ financial-counselling/
Preston Office 137 High Street Preston VIC 3072 General Enquiries 1300 312 447
Head Office Level 3, 350 Queen Street Melbourne VIC 3000
Maintenance
info@hcau.org.au housingchoices.org.au
1300 321 185
Disclaimer: To the best of Housing Choices Australia’s knowledge (Housing Choices), this information is valid at the time of publication. Housing Choices makes no warranty or representation in relation to the content or accuracy of the material in this publication. Housing Choices expressly disclaims any and all liability (including liability for negligence) in respect of use of information provided. Housing Choices recommends you seek independent professional advice prior to making any decision involving matters outlined in this publication.
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