Winter 2025
Our national service model P3 2025 Resident Art Showcase P4
Pat’s crochet for a cause P6
Bronwyn - artist and winner of the Packer's Prize at our Resident Art Showcase.
HChoicesWA
Foreword from
Hannah Harvey Executive Director – Customer Services
Dear Residents, As we move through this exciting time of growth and positive change at Housing Choices, I want to acknowledge and thank you for your continued patience and understanding. We’ve heard your feedback, and we know that connecting with the right person and adapting to new processes hasn’t always been easy.
This is a work in progress, and we are committed to doing better. We have shared updates with you along the way and will continue to do so in an open and transparent way. We want you to know that you matter and that the “people” part of our work will never be lost in the process. While these national changes are underway, our local teams continue to work hard to support residents and build strong, connected communities. In WA, despite the cold weather, we are keeping spirits high with creative activities like the recent Art Show, local craft groups, and a resident writing competition. We are also relaunching our award- winning Money Matters groups which are informal, practical sessions where residents share cost-saving tips and connect with local financial counsellors. Thank you for your patience, your feedback, and your ongoing engagement.
I want to reassure you that we are listening. While our focus has been on reshaping our systems to make them more efficient and responsive, we know that the transition has, at times, made it harder for you to feel heard and supported. For that, I sincerely apologise. At the heart of everything we do are the people and communities we serve. We know that change is not always easy but please know that it is being driven by a deep commitment to building a stronger, more sustainable foundation for the future. One that ensures a more consistent, accessible, and people-centred service experience, no matter where you live. As you are aware, Housing Choices is introducing a new national service model designed to bring greater cohesion across our teams and deliver better support to residents across the country. As part of this transition, we are actively recruiting new team members in several locations to strengthen our ability to meet your needs.
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.
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Above: State and national leaders from our Housing, Rental Compliance, and Allocations teams across the country.
Our national service model
Housing Choices is making some important changes to how we work, introducing a new national service model to strengthen how our teams work together and support residents across the country. The goal is simple – to provide better, more consistent services no matter where you live. We're currently recruiting for roles around the country to support the transition and put this new way of working into action.
Our Customer Services Department
Housing Services • Staff in our Housing Services team are your main contacts throughout your tenancy and can help with inspections, neighbour concerns and other tenancy matters. • The Rental Compliance team calculates and reviews your rent, making sure it’s correct and in line with your income and our policies.
Commercial Services • Our Property Services team is now part of the Customer Service Department to strengthen collaboration between housing and maintenance teams. • We are moving towards a national contact centre which will respond to enquiries by phone, online, or in person and will aim to resolve as many enquiries as possible the first time you contact us. Placemaking and Partnerships • The Community Engagement team ensured residents feel heard, connected to their communities and have opportunities to grow and thrive. • The Allocations team connects people in need of housing into secure homes, helping to create diverse and inclusive neighbourhoods. • Our Service Improvement team helps us respond to feedback across the organisation to deliver better services. • Our NDIS Engagement and SDA teams , support residents in our Specialist Disability Accommodation homes.
Supportive Services • The Supportive Housing Teams provide support for our specialist housing programs across the country. • They also provide short-term support coordination to help residents with at risk tenancies and link them with long-term support to sustain their tenancy.
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Above: Allira - Favourite Artist Award winner.
Above: Fatima - New Artist Award winner.
Colour, connection and creativity shine at the 2025 Resident Art Showcase
“The food, the company, and the best art ever.” That’s how one attendee summed up the 2025 Resident Art Showcase, held in Rockingham this May.
This year’s event brought together 190 unique artworks from 50 talented tenant artists, showcasing an incredible variety of creativity - from crochet, woodwork, painting, drawing, mosaics, photography and more. The showcase offered more than just art - it was an opportunity to connect. “Engaging with artists, reading their stories and sharing in their art journey” is how one attendee captured the spirit of the day. The event welcomed 130 visitors, including families and friends of artists, local tenants, partner organisations, and Housing Choices staff. We sold nearly a third of
the works available, raising $2,000 - all of which goes directly back to our residents. Among the highlights were the People’s Choice Awards, where guests voted for their favourite artwork and artist. We also presented the New Artist Award, the Packers’ Prize (chosen by our team), and the Dean Baylis Memorial Award, honouring one of our first art exhibitors and funded annually by his mother Ursula. While a highlight of our calendar, the event is just one way we celebrate and promote tenant creativity year-round. We look forward to sharing more tenant artwork in the community in 2025.
To see more from our resident art show, scan the QR code
to watch a video and hear directly from our staff and residents on the day.
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5 1. Joel - Dean Baylis Memorial Award winner with Dean’s Mum Ursula. 2. Bharti - winner of Favourite Artwork Award (right) with Community Engagement Officer Alex Kepes (left) . 3. Paul - Dean Baylis Memorial Award winner with Dean’s Mum Ursula. 4. Artist Margaret admiring the other work on display with her grandson. 5. Bronwyn - Packer’s Prize winner with Community Engagement staff Alex (left) and Amy (right) . 6. Signature rainbow crochet pattern by artist Kylie. 7. Hand made mosaic memory sticks by artist George. 8. Colourful paintings by artist Ivan.
Pat’s crochet for a cause
Pat has long loved crochet as a hobby. “Over the years I made many beautiful rugs and donated them to nursing homes to raffle and support their work,” she said. “When I got my Parkinson’s diagnosis, it gave me a real purpose for my crochet.” More than just a way to pass the time, Pat’s skills became a way to contribute. “Knowing I could help raise money, I was keen to keep creating. Every little bit could help fund more nurses to support more people with Parkinson’s.” Pat got to work learning new patterns she could raffle for charity. “Granny squares can be cheerful, but they can also get boring,” she said. “I searched online for new designs and joined ‘crochet-alongs’ to learn new stitches.” Pat crocheted colourful and intricate rugs, but it wasn’t until she discovered a fun new project that her crocheting really took off. “I became obsessed with making my cute, colourful ‘Cheeky Chickens,’” Pat said. “My Parkinson’s Specialist, Dr Ramesh, offered to have the Cheeky Chickens for sale in his rooms, where his wonderful reception staff handled the sales.” “In total, I made 109 chickens, and what kept me going was knowing that every little chicken helped to get another Nurse to help another person diagnosed with Parkinson’s.” While she might not be able to face crocheting another chicken, Pat still enjoys picking up her hook for her wellbeing. She’s part of a few crochet and knitting groups where she enjoys a cuppa and a good laugh. Pat has turned a challenging diagnosis into a meaningful way to give back - one Cheeky Chicken at a time.
Above: A rug Pat crocheted for a Parkinson’s fundraising auction.
After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease, Pat from Dardanup turned to her lifelong hobby of crochet to give back and support others living with the condition . “To be diagnosed with an illness that you know nothing about can be very daunting,” Pat said of her Parkinson’s diagnosis a few years ago. “Folk with Parkinson’s are supported by Parkinson’s Nurse Specialists. These nurses visit us at home and support not only us, but our family and carers. The best part is that it is a free service. Having a Parkinson’s Nurse come to your house and explain the illness and what I can do to help myself was a huge gift.”
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Above: Pat (centre left) with her Parkinson’s specialist Dr Ramesh (left) and members of his team (right) .
Above: A selection of Pat’s Cheeky Chickens ready to be sold at the Parkinson’s clinic.
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Home on Canvas project comes to life
Over the past few months, we’ve been collecting decorated canvases from tenants across our communities - from Balga all the way down to Bunbury - as part of our Home on Canvas project.
Inspired by the question “What does home mean to you?” , more than 40 tenants have contributed canvases to the project. Some took part through our regular craft groups, others were artists from our annual Resident Art Showcase, and some responded to our callout in the newsletter. Some canvases capture childhood memories, landscapes that reminded them of home, beloved pets and family members. Others focus on the simple comforts of home like a cup of tea or the flowers and birds out their windows. Tenants used a wide range of materials and techniques including paint, marker, resin, embroidery, driftwood, card, 3D elements, and more-resulting in a vibrant and diverse collection that reflects the creativity of our community. We’re now in the process of mounting and framing the finished canvases, which will be proudly displayed in our office alongside short stories or quotes from each tenant explaining what home means to them.
Right: Home on canvas project on display at our 2025 Resident Art Showcase.
Scan this QR code to explore more about the artworks and the personal stories behind them.
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Want to make a change to your home?
We know that making changes to your property can make a house feel like a home. New WA tenancy laws now make it easier to request modifications, but you still need to ask for permission using the right form.
Minor Modifications
Major Modifications
These are small changes that don’t affect the structure of the home and can usually be installed by yourself. Examples include: • Hanging picture hooks or shelves.
These are bigger changes that affect structure or safety or need a qualified tradesperson. Examples include: • Installing grab rails or ramps. • Air conditioner installation. • Putting up a pergola. • Any modification that isn’t listed on the minor modification form. To request a major change: • Fill out Form 27 – Major Modification Request. • Provide details about what you want to do, where, why, and who will do the work.
• Installing curtains or blinds. • Adding child safety latches or draft stoppers. • Setting up a veggie garden.
To request a minor change:
• Fill out Form 26 – Minor Modification Request. • Make sure you select your modification from the predefined list on the form. If your modification is not listed on this form you may need to use our Major Modification Request form.
Approval process
Approval process
• We’ll get back to you within 14 days. • We can only refuse a minor modification for specific reasons like if the change is against strata-by laws or will disturb asbestos. • We may need to include conditions like asking you to use a qualified tradesperson or agreeing on where the modification goes, like the positioning of a camera.
• We'll get back to you within 28 days. • We may approve the modification with conditions, such as requiring a licensed tradesperson to do the work or asking for relevant safety
certificates (e.g. an electrical certificate for air conditioner installation).
What else you need to know: If the minor or major modification is approved, you will need to: • Pay for the work and materials; • Maintain the modification; • Remove the change when you leave unless we agree it can stay; and • Repair any damage caused by installing or removing it (e.g. fill holes, repaint walls).
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Simple steps to stop mould this winter
Tips to prevent mould in your home:
• Open windows to ventilate rooms during the day especially when showering, cooking and washing to help remove moisture from the air. • Use your kitchen fan when cooking. • Open your curtains or blinds everyday - sunlight helps stop mould. • Wipe water droplets off walls, windows and windowsills when you see it. • Clean your exhaust fans regularly (if you struggle to reach ask a neighbour or family member to help). • Always use the exhaust fan when you shower or take a bath and leave it on until the steam is gone. • Keep your home at a constant temperature, rather than heating in bursts when it is cold or wet outside. • If you can, hang washing outside to dry. • Make sure shoes and clothes are dry before putting them away.
As we head into the cooler, wetter months of the year, it’s important to be on the lookout for condensation and mould in your home. Condensation starts as moisture in the air, which clings to surfaces like walls, ceilings, windows and mirrors. Over time, condensation can develop into mould. It is important that you play your part to prevent mould, as it can cause health issues and damage to your property.
Treating mould in the home If mould appears, treat it as soon as possible. You can buy household mould cleaners or spray it with white vinegar, leave for an hour then wipe clean with water and dry.
If you notice peeling paint or rotting wood this could be a sign of mould caused by structural issues. If you notice this kind of damp in your home call our Maintenance Hotline on 1800 203 383 .
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Calling all resident writers Have a story to tell, a poem to share, or thoughts to express? Based on tenant feedback, we're launching a new Resident Writing Competition to showcase the creative voices in our community. You can submit a short story, poem, reflection, review, essay and more. You can write something completely new or submit something you’ve already written. Whether you're an experienced writer or just starting out, we would love to hear from you. Need some inspiration? This year’s optional theme is: “Five Minutes in My Shoes” You might write about something you're passionate about, a daily routine, a memory, or a life experience that’s shaped who you are. Big or small - it’s a chance to share what life is like from your perspective. You can skip the theme and write and submit whatever inspires you. Winners will receive a prize, and selected entries will be published in our next resident newsletter. Want to enter? Contact Alex at Housing Choices WA: alex.kepes@hcau.org.au 0437 887 675 Competition closes Friday September 12
From craft to cost-saving – more resident groups based on your feedback We’re expanding our range of resident groups based on your feedback – and we’re excited to share what’s coming up over the next few months. Above: Kandi, Zena and Leone - Bunbury craft group. Crafternoon with Housing Choices Take some time out for your wellbeing, meet other residents, and see what your local library has to offer. Come along to a free guided craft activity, bring your own project, or be a part of a collaborative craft activity.
Thornlie Wednesday 6 August
Rockingham Wednesday 13 August
Armadale Tuesday 26 August
Money Matters – living well on a low income These sessions are a space to share cost-saving tips and hear from a local financial counsellor.
Rockingham Thursday 31 July
Coolbellup Thursday 4 September
Mandurah Wednesday 10 September
Manning Thursday 18 September
Armadale Monday 23 September
Interested in coming along? For more information please contact Alex from the Community Engagement team: alex.kepes@hcau.org.au 0437 887 675
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Home Stories Winter 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.
P X Q J H O T R T U O C J O Y S W K N L E F T S H N P C A N D L E I A E L O G C U M R D V A E O K I C D O Z A W E M A G A N P O B R N J Q P Z Y R B A P L O N V Y J T Y P O W L E A O M H P F M O V I E B R T K N W O P T E Z O O N S E W Z F J U Y B E A N I E K Z P I B O A R D U G Q P J G
HAVE A COZY NIGHT IN WITH THESE WORDS IN THE GRID:
POPCORN MOVIE SLIPPERS PYJAMAS TEA BOARD GAME CANDLE
BOOK SNOOZE PUZZLE HOT CHOCOLATE BEANIE BLANKET
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 Winter Puzzle, Housing Choices Western Australia, PO Box 105, Burswood WA 6100. Competition closes Friday 5 September 2025. The winner of a $50 Bunnings voucher will be drawn from all the correct entries after this date. Only one entry per household. Congratulations to Lee from Bertram , last edition’s puzzle prize winner.
Useful contacts National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007 WA Connect: waconnect.org.au/ Carers Gateway: 1800 422 737
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)
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
General Enquiries 1300 312 447
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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