Strategy Launch: Celebrating Diversity & Inclusion P3 Spring into action: protecting your home from pests P5 Leanne’s Guide to gardening on a budget P7 Spring 2023
HChoicesWA
The Housing Choices Australia Board and Executive have made a public statement supporting the ‘Yes’ position on the Voice to Parliament Referendum, which will be held on 14 October this year. They are proud to support the Voice to Parliament as a step toward achieving the three key elements of the Uluru Statement from the Heart - Voice, Treaty and Truth Telling. We are respectful of individual opinions of our tenants and colleagues and encourage everyone to seek out information about the Voice referendum to inform your views and personal position on this issue. Voice to Parliament Referendum
David also met with our Minister for Housing and Homelessness John Carey and several other key stakeholders during his stay. In the first week of September, we had a visit from an assessment team to determine our re-accreditation against the National Standards for Mental Health Services. I am pleased to say the debrief from this review indicated that we would pass with flying colours thanks to the hard work of our Independent Living Program team and Tenant Engagement team. The assessors also had the opportunity to meet with members of our ACT during the review to get a sense of how Housing Choices tenants had input into our services. The 2023 Tenant Survey has now closed, a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to give feedback. We will share the results in the next edition of the newsletter as well as the winners of the gift voucher prizes. Looking forward, make sure you check this edition for an invite to the end of year (I can’t believe I am saying this already!) events in Gosnells, Hilton and for the first time, also in Bunbury. These are truly favourite days of the year for our staff to be able to share time over food and we hope
From the General Manager So, as I write my standard intro to the newsletter, Spring has truly sprung in Perth, and I start to look forward to the sea of Jacarandas we can see from the office window… almost as much as I look forward to the entrants in our Spring Garden Competition which is now open. Make sure you check out the guide to gardening on a budget in this issue if you need a nudge to get involved in this! Spring is a bringer of new starts in many respects, and for Housing Choices WA, it brought us a visit from our new CEO, David Fisher who shared lunch with our team as we launched our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, which was endorsed by the Advisory Committee of Tenants (ACT).
Some information and resources on the Voice
referendum that may be useful are available on the Housing Choices website.
Acknowledgement of Country
In the spirit of reconciliation Housing Choices WA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Noongar boodja (land) where we are based. We acknowledge their connections to land, sea and community and pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
they are for you too. Wishing you wellness.
Natalie Sangalli General Manager WA
Cover: Picasso’s Faces #2 by tenant artist, Jay Downey
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Above: Housing Choices Australia Executive Staff (L-R) Nat Sangalli, David Fisher, Tanya Adams and Brian Motz with Jay’s artwork “Picasso’s Faces #2”.
Eliminating Barriers to Inclusion • Ensure we have an easily accessible translator service. • Ensure staff are aware of core services available in the community that can assist people from diverse backgrounds. • Explore ways we can make our services more flexible to eliminate service barriers. Continuously Improving Diversity and Inclusion • Review the strategy quarterly with staff and tenants. • Report on outcomes
Embracing Diversity and Inclusion • Develop an events calendar to promote diversity with staff and tenants. • Develop a Charter of commitment to inclusion. • Implement prayer/ multifunctional rooms in all offices. Fostering Fairness, Equity, and Respect • Implement LGBTQIA+ inclusive service standards. • Improve data collection systems and practices to better record and respond to the diverse needs of our tenants. • Schedule annual diversity training sessions for staff. • Review and improve
Strategy Launch:
Celebrating Diversity & Inclusion In August Housing Choices WA staff were joined by Housing Choices Australia CEO David Fisher to help launch our new Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. The aim of the strategy is to make sure we are providing inclusive services to all our tenants and embracing the diversity of the people we house. The strategy sets out actions to address barriers to our services which may arise because of differences in belief, race, age, sex, sexuality, or disability. Our Advisory Committee of Tenants reviewed this strategy, and we look forward to working with them on the actions. A summary of some of the key actions in the strategy are featured here.
to the Board and in the Annual Report.
accessibility of our communications.
The artwork showcased in the strategy is by tenant artist Jay Downey (pictured left) . His painting “Picasso’s Faces #2” was exhibited at this year’s Tenant Art Showcase and is a true celebration of diversity. The artwork features different faces within faces which symbolise how diverse yet how connected we all are. If you would like to see our Diversity and Inclusion Strategy in full, please visit our website and head to the WA resident centre.
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Tenancy tips: when to contact us As part of your responsibilities as a tenant, it is important to contact us about things that impact your tenancy. Getting in touch about a tenancy request or when something changes can avoid any issues with your tenancy and enable us to give you the best advice and support, we can. Things to tell us during your tenancy: • If someone has moved in or out of your home. • If anyone in your household has had a change to the type of Centrelink benefits they receive. • If anyone in your household has started or stopped working. • If you are thinking about getting a pet. • If you want to make any alteration, addition or modification to the property. • If you are having problems paying your rent or other charges. • If there is anything that needs to be fixed at the property. Please don’t wait for your next inspection to report maintenance issues. • If your phone number or email address changes.
You are invited to our End of Year Tenant Lunches Join fellow tenants and Housing Choices WA staff to celebrate the end of the year at a social lunch this December . Come along and enjoy a free catered lunch, speeches from staff, games, raffle prizes and more. Due to the popularity of these events, and to be able to reach more tenants we are extending our schedule to host three lunches this year. Our events this December will be in Rockingham, Gosnells and for the first time, Bunbury! Tenants from all areas are invited to attend the lunch at the location that best suits them.
Bunbury Wednesday 6 December
Gosnells Wednesday 13 December
Hilton Tuesday 19 December
Places at each lunch are limited so please call 9430 0900 if you are interested in attending one of the events. Tenants who RSVP will receive a formal invitation closer to the date with more details.
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Spring into action:
protecting your home from pests
If infestation happens In the event of an infestation, local supermarkets or hardware shops are likely to have a solution. Sprays, baits, and treatments are available for flies, cockroaches, spiders, ants, mice, and rats. Be careful when using bait around children or animals and be sure to follow the instructions on the packaging. Tips to avoid pests in the home: Store food in airtight containers. Use sprays or baits regularly. Empty your bins regularly, use bin liners and wash bins with soapy water. Declutter your home regularly to reduce spaces for pest to live. Regularly wipe down countertops. Vacuum and mop any spills or messes when they occur. To avoid pests like mice in your garden trim overgrown bushes and mow lawns regularly. Avoid leaving pet food out for long periods of time – if your pet eats slowly feed them multiple times a day instead.
Who is responsible? Housing Choices is generally responsible for pest and vermin control that requires professional services such as mice, termites and ants. Tenants are responsible for taking basic pest prevention measures such as storing food properly and using sprays/ baits. If an infestation is caused by the activities of the tenant, they will be charged for pest control. As Spring weather warms up pests that have been dormant during the winter months like spiders, cockroaches, ants and mice start to become active again. With the increase in pest activity during warmer months it is important to know how to prevent and tackle issues with common pests in and around your home.
If the pest issues continue and you cannot remedy them yourself, please contact our Maintenance Hotline on 1800 203 383 between 8am-4pm from Monday-Friday.
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End of Winter Sprinkler Ban The Winter Sprinkler Switch off ended on 31 August, but it’s important to stay waterwise during Spring and Summer. Please remember to only water on your designated watering days either before 9am or after 6pm to avoid fines. Tenants in the Perth and Peel region can use the below table from the Water Corporation to find their correct watering days.
Above: Housing Choices WA tenant Ray entered our 2022 garden competition showcasing his beautiful flowers and skilled photography.
Spring Gardening Competition is now open
It’s time again for the Spring Gardening Competition! If you are an avid gardener, love indoor plants or want to give gardening a try - this competition is a great reason to give your green thumb a workout this Spring. We recognise that gardening is an amazing way to stay physically and mentally healthy and we want to celebrate the care people put into their home, and gardens. If you would like the chance to win a $100 Bunnings voucher , share photos of your garden with us!
All types of flowers, plants, or veggie gardens can be entered, including patio, balcony, backyard, front yard, or indoor plant gardens. To enter the competition, send photos of your plants/garden by texting 0437 887 675 or emailing alex.kepes@hcau.org.au including a few words about you and your garden. All tenants who enter the competition will receive a free seed packet for participating. Entries close on Friday 10 November 2023. Happy gardening!
Last digit of street #
Watering Days
1
Wednesday & Saturday
2
Sunday & Thursday
3
Monday & Friday
4
Tuesday & Saturday
5
Sunday & Wednesday
6
Monday & Thursday
7
Tuesday & Friday
8
Wednesday & Saturday
9
Sunday & Thursday
0
Monday & Friday
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Leanne’s Guide to gardening on a budget
Looking for some gardening tips to help you this Spring? Check out some of Leanne’s tips on how to have a nice garden on a budget. Leanne’s piece was selected from the tenant writer’s callout and her handy gardening tips will be featured in national Housing Choices publications.
Think having a nice garden is not in your budget? Think again. Let me share with you some ways you can have the best garden for next to no money. My main tip is to score plants for free! If someone you know, whether it’s a relative, a friend, a neighbour or even a garden you walk past every day... ASK for a cutting. Literally thousands of plants can grow from cuttings. Almost every suburb has a Buy Nothing group on Facebook. I cannot stress enough how many established plants, tools and sprays are gifted. Join up today, score great stuff, reduce landfill and meet others in your community.
As for fertilisers, you can make your own at home just using everyday bits and pieces. Put your banana peels in warm water in a jug, next day give your plants a massive healthy kick when you water them. I also throw in used teabags, peels from carrots and cucumber and my favourite, eggshells. DO NOT USE POTATO SCRAPS unless you want potatoes sprouting everywhere. I hope these tips help. Gardening is a fantastic way to calm your farm, help with mental health issues. I cannot put into words the pride you have in yourself while enjoying what you have created. My last tip, think outside the square! - Leanne
Gumtree free items...for example, I have big, beautiful rocks along the perimeter of my garden. I’m pretty sure I got $400 worth of rocks for no money. Verge collections are like Christmas for me. From lattice, pots, plants and discarded garden ornaments that need a bit of love. All can transform your garden. All Bunnings have a discount trolley in the garden section. Plants are marked down daily because they’re looking too haggard to sell at full price. Another tip to save money; if you have a big pot to fill with potting mix, use broken pots, tiles, even sticks and leaves to fill the bottom half of the pot. You’ll be amazed how much potting mix/soil you save.
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Safety in the home: securing your furniture Did you know you have the right to secure furniture to walls to help protect the safety of children and vulnerable adults? An often overlooked hazard in the home is the risk of furniture toppling over, which causes serious injuries each year in Australia. Children and people with disability are particularly at risk of toppling injuries. Young children are naturally curious and may attempt to climb or pull furniture and people with disabilities may have limited mobility or balance, making them more susceptible to accidents. In 2019, tenancy law changed to allow tenants to apply to their landlord for permission to secure furniture such as bookcases, drawers, cupboards, desks, and TVs to walls if it helps protect the safety of children or people with a disability who may live with you or visit your home. Housing Choices WA can only refuse the request if affixing the item to the wall would disturb material containing asbestos, the premises is listed as heritage or if there are strata by-laws prohibiting affixing to walls. If you would like to secure your furniture to the wall, please contact your local office and ask for a Tenant Request to Affix Furniture Form (Form 24) or visit the WA maintenance and repairs page in the resident centre of our website for a copy of the form. Please note that you are responsible for the cost and work involved in affixing furniture to walls. Housing Choices may need to check the work at your next inspection to ensure the furniture has been secured safely and to a professional standard.
Re-accreditation: National Mental Health Standards We are excited to share that Housing Choices WA has been re-accredited against the National Standards for Mental Health Services which helps ensure we are providing the high-quality housing services to our tenants with mental health challenges. As part of the accreditation process, we invited members of our Advisory Committee of Tenants to share their experiences of being housed with us and being involved in our tenant engagement work. We were privileged to invite our Chair and Deputy Chairperson as well as members with experience of being in the Independent Living Program, a housing program for individuals with long-term mental health challenges. During discussions with accreditors, our committee members were able to speak honestly and openly about their experiences with us and their feedback will contribute to our ongoing efforts to meet the national mental health standards. The Accreditors have specifically commended our organisation for its dedication to engaging with tenants in a meaningful way, actively listening to their feedback, and taking action to enhance and shape our services. We look forward to receiving the full report from the accreditation process, which will include any recommendations for further improving our services.
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Your guide to reporting repairs
Need to report a repair to Housing Choices WA? Have a read of the information and tips below which can help the next time you have a maintenance issue.
Help our staff record your issue quicker
Be home for scheduled appointments
When you call our Maintenance Hotline, please tell us your name and address first before explaining your issue. This means our property services staff can get your details up on our system and record your issue faster.
Once a contractor has been in touch to make an appointment, please make sure you are home at the scheduled time as you may be charged a call out fee if you are not home as they can’t enter the property. If you can no longer make an appointment, please call us on the Maintenance Hotline or call the contractor directly to reschedule.
Let us know your best contact details
Please tell us your most up to date contact number as our contractors will need to give you a call to schedule a time to visit to fix your issue. Submit non-urgent repairs by email If your issue is not urgent and you would rather not speak on the phone, you can report a repair by emailing maintenance-wa@hcau. org.au . Attaching photos to your email will help our staff to better understand the problem.
Report routine repairs during office hours Our Maintenance Hotline office
hours are 8am-4pm from Monday to Friday . All calls to the Hotline outside these hours will be diverted to our after-hours service which is for emergencies only. If you are reporting a routine, non-emergency repair, please wait until our offices open to report your issue to avoid call out fees. Please keep in mind we are still experiencing contractor and material shortages which is impacting our routine maintenance response times.
Any questions about our maintenance services please contact our Maintenance Hotline on 1800 203 383 or email maintenance-wa@hcau.org.au
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Margaret’s first time at the Foodbank
In July, Housing Choices WA tenant Margaret attended one of our financial wellbeing groups in Armadale, where all attendees received a six-month Foodbank referral. Recently, we asked Margaret to share her experience of using the Foodbank for the first time so other tenants can know what to expect and feel comfortable reaching out for help.
After attending a financial wellbeing meeting hosted by Housing Choices WA, my neighbour and I went to visit both the airport location of Foodbank and the Mobile Foodbank which visits our local area. The airport warehouse was huge and well stocked. Most things could be purchased for $1.25 per kg, some in packs for very cheap prices, some single serve meals for $1.50 per 200 grams, larger meals for $3 per 400+ grams, and a large fridge section.
The staff were very approachable and friendly and quickly helped us apply for our six-month card so that we could shop at the warehouse and the Mobile Foodbank. The Mobile Foodbank only accepts payments
via EFTPOS or your Emergency Relief
Voucher. A staff member was always available to help us with directions. They also had recipe sheets, and leaflets on financial support services available to read.
Above: Armadale Financial Counsellor Samantha (middle) with Margaret (left) and Kelmscott tenant AJ (right).
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Payment Reminder: your reference
for $10. Unfortunately, on the day we went there were no meat packs available. If you are not brand fussy you could easily purchase a week worth of everything for $50, excluding meat. Most of the goods are close to their best before use by date, but with adequate planning it is easy to feed your household
The Mobile Foodbank system is very efficient to use. You show your Foodbank WA card and ID, and you can choose as many of the hamper packs as you want. The prices were clearly signposted, and the staff were very friendly. There were pantry hampers for $10, frozen meals pack for $10, fruit and veggie bags for $5, a snack pack for $5, a cleaning pack for $10 and a beauty and hygiene pack
number matters
When making a payment to Housing Choices WA for rent, tenant liability or water charges it’s important to always quote your Housing Choices WA Reference Number so payments can be matched to your account. If a reference number is not quoted in the payment, we may not be able to apply the funds to your account. If you have made a payment online or have been to a Commonwealth bank branch to make a payment to Housing Choices and did not quote your reference number, please contact your Tenancy Officer. If you are unsure about what your reference number is, you can contact your local office and request a Payment Details card with your unique reference number and BPAY billing information.
for a week. - Margaret
The Mobile Foodbank is a wonderful service which can be utilised by people in many different suburbs. To get a referral for Foodbank you can contact your free local Financial Counsellor at www.fcawa.org . You can also contact The Emergency Relief and Food Access Service on free-call 1800 979 777 available Monday-Friday 9.30am – 5.00pm . All you need is a healthcare card and driver’s license or some other form of photo identification. Visit the Foodbank.org.au website to find metro and regional locations for Mobile Foodbanks or for branch locations. The branch locations are available at Perth Airport, Peel, Bunbury, Albany, Kalgoorlie, and Geraldton.
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Home Stories Spring 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. In celebration of Mental Health Week in October, this word search is themed around things that can help support your mental health.
FIND THESE WORDS IN THE GRID:
R W P Q D G N C C T G S E O Z E P X W P R Y H R G X U T E K M R O A U E A F E T R L B N T U F F R T R R I Q S Z E Y L T U A I X C N F R I E N D S O P T N I E J W A L K I N G Y U J S A C T I V I T I E S D K E T U M E R U T A N M E U E S O C I A L W M U S I C U A R T Z S A F A M I L Y K
FAMILY SUNSHINE SOCIAL ACTIVITIES FRIENDS THERAPY MUSIC
ROUTINE NATURE EXERCISE SLEEP GRATITUDE ART WALKING CRAFTS
Congratulations to Gerald from Armadale , last edition’s puzzle prize winner.
Tell us the remaining word for the wordsearch by emailing info-wa@hcau.org.au , messaging us through our Facebook page or posting it to us At Home Spring Puzzle, Housing Choices Western Australia, PO Box 105, Burswood WA 6100 . Competition closes Friday 15 December 2023 . The winner of a $50 Bunnings voucher will be drawn from all the correct entries after this date. Only one entry per household. Good luck!
Useful contacts
Lifeline: 13 11 14 Mental Health Emergency Response Line: 1300 555 788 (Perth region) 1800 676 822 (Peel region) Rurallink: 1800 552 002 (rural/regional WA)
National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007 WA Connect: waconnect.org.au/ Carers Gateway: 1800 422 737
Peel Office 4 Stevenson Street PO Box 1200 Mandurah WA 6210 P (08) 9534 0400
Perth Metro Office Level 7, 25 Rowe Avenue Rivervale WA 6103 PO Box 105 Burswood WA 6100 P (08) 9430 0900
South West Office 1 st Floor, 25 Victoria Street PO Box 1539
Bunbury WA 6230 P (08) 9722 7200
Maintenance Hotline 1800 203 383
info-wa@hcau.org.au housingchoices.org.au
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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