Summer 2023
Spring Garden Competition
winners P3 End of year
tenant lunches P6 Are you bushfire ready? P7
HChoicesWA
From the General Manager This edition I get to welcome you all to 2024! I can’t believe a new year is upon us already. We had a fabulous end to 2023 at our end of year tenant lunches. We did three lunches this year, to make sure tenants and staff in the South-West had a chance to celebrate, and we think it was a big success based on the turn- out and the smiling faces! Some other fabulous pictures you will find in this edition are of the Spring Garden Competition showcasing all the green thumbs across Housing Choices WA. This year we have added a spotlight on your four-legged friends – make sure you submit your fabulous furry and feathered faces to be featured in our next edition!
There is also some important information about blocked
Housing Choices WA, but across the whole
drains that we hope will save you unnecessary
community housing sector in WA. It is a real privilege to work with tenants who are so committed to benefiting something bigger than your own backyard! Finally, I wish you all the very best for 2024. As we move further away from the rough time that was COVID, and through some challenging cost of living times, we hope to continue to support you to be happy and well in your homes and look forward to seeing and chatting with you throughout the year.
maintenance costs as well as a reminder about being bushfire safe as we come into the harshest part of our Western Australian summer. I also want to update you on our Annual Tenant Survey. Overall, we’re pleased to see that our services are improving, and we will continue to work on areas that did not score as highly. I would like to thank our residents that spent the time to give us this feedback. We will be sharing the detailed results with you in our next edition along with our action plan based on the feedback you gave us. I would also like to draw your attention to the ongoing work we are doing with the Advisory Committee of Tenants (ACT). In November, Sue, the Chair, other members of the committee and local tenants joined our staff training day to help develop a shared understanding of what good communication looks like. Sue also visited Foundation Housing to talk to their committee of residents and tenants about the journey of the ACT and what has worked well in our tenant engagement work.
Natalie Sangalli Acting Chief Operating Officer
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.
A big thank you to Sue for giving up your time to not only improve services at
Cover: Tenants at our Gosnells End of Year Lunch.
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Spring Garden Competition winners We had 30 tenants who entered or were nominated for our 2023 Spring Garden Competition and once again we saw a fantastic variety of vibrant and well cared for gardens. As we can’t showcase all the winnings gardens here, we will be featuring each of our winners on our Facebook Page over the coming weeks – visit facebook.com/HChoicesWA or search for Housing Choices Western Australia in your Facebook app. Each winner has received a $100 Bunnings voucher and our highly commended gardeners have received a $50 Bunnings voucher. All tenants who entered have received a free native seed packet to help keep their gardens growing. As always it is wonderful to see green thumbs in action and we look forward to another great competition for 2024.
Above: Ronald’s backyard is full of lush greenery, sculptures and beautifully maintained pathways.
2023 WINNING GARDENS Best Overall Garden – South West Joan from Capel Best Overall Garden – Peel Ronald from Mandurah Best Overall Garden – Metro Monique from Belmont Best Flower Garden Darren from Medina Best Succulent Garden Geoffrey from Queens Park Best Verge Garden Leone and Gary from Bunbury Best Transformation Garden Jason from Hilton
HIGHLY COMMENDED Colin & Elaine from Medina, Debra from Queens Park, Raymond from Mandurah, Leanne from White Gum Valley and Debra from Bertram.
Below: Jason transformed his front verge from a plain grassy patch to a colourful water wise native garden.
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Advisory Committee advice: ring our maintenance hotline
Tenant Tails: a spotlight on pets We’re excited to announce a paw-some new segment in our newsletter and on our Facebook page that celebrates the joy our beloved pets bring into our lives. We know that pets can improve our mental and physical health and provide meaningful companionship. Each pet – be it cats, dogs, fish, birds or reptiles – have their own unique personalities and heartwarming stories. To see your pet featured in our next newsletter or on our Facebook page share a photo of your pet with us, along with brief background about them and the difference they make in your life. You can submit the photos by texting Alex on 0437 887 675 or emailing alex.kepes@hcau.org.au . You can also send photos via our Facebook page. Let’s spread some joy and share your feathered, furry and finned friends with the wider Housing Choices community.
Recently our Advisory Committee of Tenants provided feedback that some tenants may not know they can call our Maintenance Hotline for an update on their current maintenance requests and work orders. We want to reassure tenants that your questions matter and being well-informed about your maintenance requests is important to us.
provide feedback about a recent job or just want more details about the maintenance works due to happen at your property, please don’t hesitate to call our Maintenance Hotline on 1800 203 383 . Please note that we are still experiencing some delays in materials and shortages of tradespeople which may impact our response timeframes and we encourage tenants to contact us to see if their maintenance requests have been impacted.
If you want an update on the timeframe for your request, want to
Maintenance Hotline: 1800 203 383 Regular Hotline Hours: 8am-4pm Monday to Friday
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Words from the Chair 2023 is over but I am very proud to say that the collaboration between Housing Choices WA and our ACT, has been so successful this year in achieving, not only good communication, but some amazing outcomes. So much so, that I was asked to meet with another large community housing provider Foundation Housing and their Committee of Residents and Tenants to share our success story! A big highlight for this year was being involved in the planning and delivery of a training session for staff about communications. This is something that the committee and I have
Above: ACT Chairperson Sue (middle) with Claire and Neil from Foundation Housing’s Committee of Residents and Tenants.
has contributed to our continuing work to achieve good communication between staff and tenants. I am so grateful to our committee members for their dedication, time, and willingness to share their lived experiences. We hope that the work we do will enable tenants to feel safe, heard and feel their lives matter. Well done everyone and a big thank you to the staff at Housing Choices WA who have facilitated this. I hope you have all had a wonderful holiday and wishing you a safe and happy year ahead. Suzanne
advocated for over the past year, and it was amazing to see it in action. Some advisory committee members and local tenants took part in the training which involved sharing their real life examples of good communication with Housing Choices WA. Listening to the positive experiences of staff was very rewarding and being able to share our experiences of good communication in return was powerful. There were some great learnings all round about the impact small interactions can have. I believe this session
Below: Housing Choices staff and tenants at our communication sharing training session.
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2023 end of year tenant lunches More than 200 tenants and Housing Choices WA staff joined us for the 2023 end of year lunches in December. This year we held events in Hilton, Gosnells and for the first time in Bunbury. To have the event in Bunbury this year was a great opportunity to connect and get together with our tenants in the South-West area. Attendees had the opportunity to celebrate with staff over a delicious lunch and participate in games and quizzes. Tenants also had a chance to take photos at the photobooth and will be sent a copy of photos to keep. Thanks to everyone for attending and celebrating another year with Housing Choices WA.
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Are you bushfire ready?
As we find ourselves in the middle of bushfire season it’s crucial for tenants to be well-prepared and informed about bushfire safety measures. Here’s a comprehensive guide on being bushfire ready informed by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES).
3. Prepare your Property: • Keep your property well-maintained by mowing regularly, removing weeds, racking up leaf litter and removing shrubs under trees. • If you notice your gutters are full of leaf litter, or there are overhanging branches causing a fire hazard, call our maintenance hotline on 1800 203 383. • If using a barbeque this Summer, make sure it is kept away from flammable materials and you do not leave it unattended.
1. Stay Informed: • Regularly check local news, radio broadcasts, and the DFES website for bushfire updates and alerts. • Familiarise yourself with the Fire Danger Ratings to gauge the level of risk on any given day. • Be aware of Total Fire Bans which are declared on days when fires are most likely to threaten lives and homes – during Total Fire Bans it is illegal to light an open-air fire.
4. Know where to go for more information: • DFES provides valuable guidelines to help residents stay safe during bushfire seasons. Know how to access their website, phone lines, social media channels, and mobile apps to stay updated and access valuable information during bushfire events.
2. Develop a Bushfire Plan: • Create a bushfire plan for your household, including evacuation routes, meeting points, and emergency contacts. The DFES website provides a guide on how to do this. • Discuss and practice the plan with your family members or housemates.
DFES Website: www.dfes.wa.gov.au/ Alerts and Warnings: emergency.wa.gov.au/ Emergency Information: 13 3337
Remember, early preparation is key to ensuring the well-being of yourself, your loved ones, and your property in the face of potential bushfire threats.
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Summer snake safety As Summer is in full swing it’s time to take precautions to minimise your chances of encountering snakes in and around your home.
Quick guide: your water bill charges The Water Corporation takes a water meter reading approximately every two months to assess your water use and calculate your charges . Water bills are calculated and based on how many kilolitres (kL) of water you have used in your home and garden in that time. The amount you are charged per kilolitre depends on what pricing tier you are on. The Water Corporation has a tiered pricing system to encourage the careful use of water. The more water you use, the higher the price of water per kilolitre. Water use charge = Water use in kL for the period x current tier pricing Your account starts in tier 1 (the lowest tier) at the beginning of your bill year which is from July of the current year to June of the next year. If you have jumped to tier 2 or 3 within your bill year, you will revert to tier 1 when your new bill year starts. The front of your bill shows your current tier based on your total water use so far. This may explain some increases in water bills you may see throughout the year. Water use charges and tier charges can vary depending on where you live. Charges also work differently for properties that share a water meter, such as an apartment complex.
Keep your garden tidy: Keep trees and shrubs trimmed and clear away any clutter or debris in your yard that might attract snakes.
Watch your step: When walking around, take care not to step on or disturb any potential hiding spots.
Respect their space: If you come across a snake, please refrain from approaching or provoking it in any way. Most snake bites occur when people try to capture or kill snakes.
Call In professionals: Contact a local professional snake catcher or call the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055 to be referred to a reptile remover.
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Beating blocked drains
Blocked drains are a common cause of tenant liability as many tenants are not aware of what should or should not go down toilets or kitchen drains. Housing Choices WA is responsible for repairing burst pipes or naturally blocked drains. However, if we find that the blockage is directly caused by the actions of the tenant they may be charged for the repair.
Are you going away?
5 things that can’t go down drains
Grease or cooking fat
We recognise that on occasion you may need or wish to be away from
Food or food scraps (including eggshells)
Cleaning products
your home for an extended period.
Produce stickers
If you plan on being away from your home for more than 4 weeks, please get in touch with your Tenancy Officer. It is important for us to know you are going away and how long you plan to be away for, so we can check that arrangements have been made to pay rent and to keep the property well maintained while you are gone. We also need to know who to contact about any property or tenancy issues when you are away. If we don’t know you are away and can’t contact you, it may seem that the property has been abandoned which could risk your tenancy so please keep us informed.
Medication
5 things that can’t go down toilets
Wipes or products advertised as flushable
Sanitary/hygiene products
Tissues or paper towel
Cotton buds
Too much toilet paper at one time
Tips for avoiding blocked drains • Drain covers can help prevent hair going down shower drains and can catch food debris in your kitchen sink. • A slow or weak toilet flush often indicates that a clog is forming in your toilet drain. Use a plunger to try and release clogs or small blockages before they become a more serious issue. • Regularly clean your drains to dislodge any build up that may occur. Pour 1 cup of bicarbonate soda, 1 cup of warm water and 1 cup vinegar in and around the drain and leave for 20 minutes then pour warm water down and around the drain.
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Small Sparks Fund starts strong
We’re thrilled to announce the implementation of our first Small Sparks Fund initiatives in Hilton and Australind. The Small Sparks Fund provides financial assistance to empower tenants to start their own initiatives that foster community and inclusion.
Noticeboard in Hilton Tenants in a Housing Choices WA complex in Hilton are passionate about helping each other and wanted to improve residents’ awareness of tenancy and community information. Peter, a resident at the complex, applied for a Small Sparks grant to put in a professional notice board so they could have a permanent and weather resistant place to share information with others. In November we installed the notice board and handed over the keys so Peter and the gang can put up information for all to see. Above: Peter from Hilton who applied for Small Sparks funding.
Above: Australind tenants Nicola (right) and Maureen (left) who help organise their complex street party each Christmas.
Christmas street party in Australind Every year Maureen from Australind helps organise a Christmas Street Party for the residents in her complex. Maureen says the street party is a great way for residents to get to know each other and celebrate the end of the year. With increasing cost of living pressures Maureen reached out to Housing Choices and applied for Small Sparks funding to help keep this successful community initiative going over the next few years.
From neighbour lunches to book clubs, we’re open to funding a variety of initiatives that bring people together and create inclusive communities. For more information about the Small Sparks Fund please contact Alex on 0437 887 675 or via alex.kepes@hcau.org.au.
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Actioning tenant feedback in 2023
While we are busy analysing the results of our 2023 Tenant Survey, we wanted to share how we have actioned tenant feedback throughout the year.
Improving communications • This year we ran a communication sharing session with tenants and staff. The tenant- designed session focused on sharing real examples of positive communication to highlight the small but impactful interactions that make up meaningful communication. • We have reviewed our maintenance inspection letters to provide more clarity and information about why we visit your home. • We continued Maintenance Information sessions in 2023, and introduced the first Rent Information session in Mandurah, with plans for more in 2024. • We are finalising a new tenant handbook to provide clear and comprehensive information to new tenants about their rights and responsibilities.
Empowering tenants to manage neighbour issues • We held Police and Community Safety Sessions for tenants to voice concerns, ask questions and better understand who to call about neighbour issues. • We launched a subsidised mediation service to provide affordable and effective options for tenants to resolve neighbour disputes.
Responding to feedback about property alterations • We have worked with the regulator of the Residential Tenancies Act WA (1987) to amend our leases, so tenants don’t have to remove property modifications if they are compliant with building codes and have sufficient longevity. • This means the next tenant can benefit from existing modifications for as long as they remain functional, however, Housing Choices WA will not take responsibility for maintaining or replacing these items should they stop working and incoming tenants can chose to do so if they wish.
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Home Stories Summer 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. Lunar New Year, often called Chinese New Year, is the most important holiday in China and Chinese communities around the world. This year’s Luna New Year falls on February 10 and to celebrate this word search is themed around the different Lunar New Year animal zodiac signs. This year is the year of the Dragon!
Q Z X P W E
S
E M O N K E
Y P
I
T
FIND THESE WORDS IN THE GRID:
Z N D B V M T
L A
J R H G B A V X D Y
T O O
HORSE GOAT
RAT OX TIGER RABBIT DRAGON SNAKE
R T O Q W E K R Y U I
K G
A R Z O X C V E
B N G M L
MONKEY ROOSTER DOG PIG
T
S D
F
S G H Y U
I
E O P
A X B
C D T R T U Y R B V
G L H O R S
E
J D F
S
Z X
I
K T
G W O X R C B D O G
Congratulations to Alan from Gosnells , last edition’s puzzle prize winner.
P R Z
X R U K P
I
T
E Q V
A
I W M N T
I
B B A R
E W
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 Stories Summer Puzzle, Housing Choices Western Australia , PO Box 105, Burswood WA 6100 . Competition closes Friday 8 March 2024. 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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