Winter 2025 Our national service model P3 Letitia heals with art P5 Sally's winter warmer recipe P7
Resident artist Letitia's colourful bee painting.
HChoicesTAS
1
Hannah Harvey Executive Director – Customer Services Foreword from
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. 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.
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 Tasmania we have been supporting new residents as they move into their new properties by providing New Resident Information Sessions. These sessions give an overview of staff roles and shared responsibilities to ensure that our residents are informed and have the opportunity to ask questions that are important to them. Thank you for your patience,
your feedback, and your ongoing engagement.
Acknowledgement of Country In the spirit of reconciliation Housing Choices Tasmania acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout lutruwita (Tasmania) 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.
2
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 ensures 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.
3
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 1300 512 583 .
4
Letitia heals with art
Above and below: Examples of Letitia's beautiful artwork.
Ulverstone resident Letitia first picked up a paintbrush to help support her mental health, but since receiving a terminal health diagnosis, art has been an important way for her to manage the challenges and changes this diagnosis has had in her life. Letitia loves sitting with her 8-year-old terrier Buddy and completing some of her artwork. She has always had a love for knitting but found that painting has pushed her creativity even further. Starting out as a self-taught painter, Letita now attends a weekly art class with the Aboriginal Health Service No. 34 NARTAS Group. Joining a regular class has provided Letitia with a supportive environment where she can connect with people with a similar interest, stay positive, and continue to develop her skills. Letitia is a talented painter who’s bold, signature strokes create vibrant and detailed works. Her joyful use of colour bring her landscapes and animal portraits to life, and we are delighted to share some of her work in this edition.
Letita’s main goal through her art is to share her work with others, to brighten people’s days, bring smiles to their faces, and perhaps even sell some of her pieces. For her, art has not just been a relaxing hobby, but a source of comfort and connection during a difficult time in her life.
5
Burnie City Council have made changes on the way their tip will operate from 1 July 2025. In response to community feedback and the shift to fortnightly waste collection, Burnie residents can now dispose of up to 100kg of general household waste per visit at the Burnie Waste Management Centre for free. How it works First, drive through the Resource Recovery Loop to drop off items like cardboard, cooking oil, steel, eWaste, Tip Shop resale items and other recyclables. Then weigh-in at the toll booth, drop off your landfill waste, and weigh-out on your way back. Burnie waste management
Above: Previous winner of our Spring Gardening Competition from Ulverstone.
Our annual Spring Gardening Competition is back for another year! Share your beautiful and creative gardens for your chance to win a $100 Bunnings voucher. All kinds of gardens are welcome - your entry could be a favourite flower, a vegetable garden, a potted plant or a creative patio area. A certificate of recognition will be sent to all entrants, and all entries will go in the draw to win a Bunnings voucher! We would love to visit you and take a photo of your garden to share in our next resident newsletter. To register please email communitydevelopmenttas@hcau.org.au or text or call Bree from the Community Engagement Team on 0436 408 572. Spring Gardening Competition is back!
If your load is under 100kgs , it’s free. If it’s over? You pay for the extra e.g. 120kg = pay $4.90 for the 20kgs above the limit.
Entries open: Monday 1 September Entries close: Friday 7 November 2025
Don’t forget to bring ID to prove you reside in Burnie.
6
Winter warmer recipe - Sally’s ‘Feel Better’ Chicken Soup
As the chill of winter sets in, there's nothing better than a hearty, comforting meal to warm you up.
This budget-friendly recipe comes from Sally (pictured above) , our Community Engagement Officer in South Australia. Now that we have a national Community Engagement team, we’re able to share ideas, stories and seasonal favourites like this winter warmer - from South Australia all the way to Tasmania. At approximately $3–$5 per serve, it makes 6–8 nourishing portions. Enjoy it fresh or freeze for a quick, comforting meal when you’re feeling unwell.
Ingredients
Kitchen items
• 4 tbsp crushed ginger • 50g of butter • ¼ bunch of parsley • 1-3 tsp chilli flakes (If you like spice)
• Water stock pot – the bigger the better • Chopping board • Knife • Wooden spoon • Tongs • 2 Forks
• 1 full chicken 1-2kg • 4 carrots • 4 celery sticks • 2 parsnip • 2 brown onion • 4 cloves of garlic or 4 tbsp of crushed garlic
• Large bowl • Paper towel
Preparation time: 15 - 20 minutes Cooking time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Step 1. Chop carrots, celery and parsnips into 1-2cm chunks. Chop brown onion into chunks. Finely chop parsley (If using cloves of garlic, peel and finely chop/grate garlic). Step 2. On a high heat using your wooden spoon, melt butter in stock pot with garlic and ginger for 1-2 minutes. Step 3. Add chopped carrot, celery, parsnip and onion to stock pot and stir with butter until veggies slightly soften, 3-4 minutes. Step 4. Add parsley and stir, cook for 1-2 minutes. Step 5. Place chicken on paper towel and lightly pat outside of chicken. While on paper towel, lightly press down on the middle of the chicken to flatten. Step 6. Place chicken on top of veggie mix in stock pot and cover with water. The water should only just cover the chicken.
Step 7. Bring to the boil, then lower heat to medium. Step 8. Leave to boil for 2-3 hours, a minimum of 2 hours. During this time if you see any fat rising to the top, lightly remove with spoon. Step 9. Once 2 hours is up, use tongs to transfer chicken into the large bowl. Step 10. Using tongs and forks, remove meat from bones, discard bones. (Careful in this process as it will be very hot and take care to remove all the bones.) Step 11. Use two forks to pull the chicken apart into strips. Step 12. Place chicken back into stock pot. Add chilli flakes if you like spice. Simmer for 30 mins. Step 13. Serve.
7
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
To go in the draw, contact our Community Development team with the remaining word by calling 1300 312 447 or emailing communitydevelopmenttas@hcau.org.au. Make sure you include your name, home address, and contact number. Entries for the competition close Friday 5 September 2025 . Maximum one entry per household. Congratulations to Christine from Acton , last edition’s puzzle prize winner.
Useful contacts
Emergency Relief Tasmania: 1800 647 995 Monday to Wednesday from 12:30pm – 2:30pm
National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007 Lifeline: 13 11 14 QLife: 1800 184 527
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 SANE: https://www.sane.org/
Hobart Level 7, 39 Murray Street Hobart TAS 7000
Devonport 5 Steele Street Devonport TAS 7310
Shorewell Plaza 11A Wiseman Street Shorewell Park TAS 7320
General Enquiries 1300 312 447
Maintenance
hctinfo@hcau.org.au housingchoices.org.au
1300 512 583
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.
8
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting