Spring 2025
Make your payments more secure and win P3
Updates to our Rent Policy P4 Exploring Illuminate P6
Housing Choices resident and artist Devi with her painting titled Dance Me To The End Of Love III.
HChoicesSA
Hannah Harvey Executive Director – Customer Services Foreword from
Dear Residents, Spring is a time of change and growth, and Housing Choices has been busy this season building new systems, refining our structures, and growing our housing to support more people in need of secure accommodation.
Aligned with this season of change I also want to provide an update on our leadership. David Fisher, our CEO, has moved on from Housing Choices. We sincerely thank him for his commitment and leadership and wish him all the best in his next chapter. Stepping in as interim CEO is Michael Lennon, who many of you will know as a previous CEO of Housing Choices. Having a familiar face in this role provides stability while we continue the search for our next CEO. During this time, our focus remains firmly on supporting you and delivering high-quality services to all residents. I’m pleased to share that we have welcomed many new team members across the organisation. You may see these fresh faces in your local teams, filling roles as part of our new national customer service model. This includes our state-based Housing
Operations Managers, who are focused on ensuring our housing teams have the guidance and resources needed to provide the best possible support to residents. Looking ahead, we are preparing to launch our new national digital contact centre in the coming months. This will expand the ways you can reach us, helping us respond more quickly and improve the support we provide. As part of this process, we’ll be reaching out to you to ensure your contact information is up to date, so we can continue to stay connected. While Spring brings growth and change for Housing Choices, this edition also highlights updates that matter to you alongside some fun opportunities like the Spring Gardening Competition and details about our upcoming end of year events for residents.
Acknowledgement of Country Housing Choices South Australia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where this publication is produced, the Kaurna people, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who are part of the Housing Choices community.
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Make your payments more secure and win!
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We’re encouraging residents to pay rent, water, and other charges using Centrepay or BPAY. These methods send your money straight into the right account, reducing the delays, errors, or lost payments that can happen with manual bank transfers.
Pay by BPAY or Centerpay to win a $50 voucher!
From November 2025 to February 2026 , each month two residents from every state who pay by Centrepay or BPAY will win a $50 gift voucher – we have over $1500 in prizes! • Already paying this way? You’re automatically in the draw. • Want to switch now? Set up your Centrepay or BPAY payments and you’ll be entered each time you pay by these methods.
Why pay with Centrepay? Centrepay is the easiest way to pay your rent if you get Centrelink payments. It’s a free service and means your rent is automatically paid from your Centrelink payments before they reach your account.
Why pay with BPAY? BPAY is a secure and reliable way to pay businesses through your bank. It uses a Biller code and a unique BPAY reference number, which means payments go into the right account without delays caused by incorrect payment descriptions.
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How to set up Centrepay: • You can set up and manage Centrepay deductions using myGov , via the Express Plus Centrelink app , at your nearest Services Australia Service Centre, or by contacting Housing Choices. • You’ll need Housing Choices’ Customer Reference Number and your Centrelink Customer Reference Number. • If you’d like help setting up a Centrepay deduction for your rent, or need the above details, please call us on 1300 312 447 .
How to pay with BPAY: • You can set up one off or ongoing BPAY payments at your bank branch or online via your bank’s app , online banking or phone banking . • You will need Housing Choices’ Biller code and your unique BPAY reference number. • Don’t have these details? Call Housing Choices on 1300 312 447 and we’ll provide them.
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Updates to our Rent Policy
Housing Choices has updated its Rent Setting Policy and Practices to make the way we set, review, and talk about rent easier for residents to understand. Most residents at Housing Choices pay income-based rent , meaning your rent is based on your household income. This is usually 25–30% of your income plus 100% of any Rent Assistance you may receive.
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Up to a maximum of 30% of your assessable household income
100% of your Rent Assistance (CRA / DVRA) entitlement
Your rent (capped at maximum rent)
Income reviews twice a year For residents on income-based rent, we will review your household income every six months and adjust your rent if needed. We will also review your income any other time your circumstances change. If anyone moves in or out of your home or your household income changes, please let us know within 14 days. Having two reviews a year means rent changes are easier to manage. It also ensures regular payment changes, such as Centrelink increases, are picked up at a similar time for all residents. We want to reassure residents that a lot about how we calculate rent hasn’t changed. Your rent is still set based on residential tenancy law, relevant government policies, and housing program rules. For residents on income-based rent - your rent is still capped at maximum rent. This will be either your income-based rent or the maximum rent for your housing program, whichever is lower. One-page income review form Our Household Occupant and Income Review form is now just one page, so it is easier for residents to complete. Most residents may have recently received income review paperwork. Please complete and return this form if you haven’t already. If you have any questions about how to complete the form, please get in touch – we are here to help.
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If you want to know more about how the rent policy applies to you or have questions about the new process, contact your Housing Officer or call 1300 312 447 .
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You are invited to our End of Year Parties!
It’s almost that time of the year again! This year’s Housing Choices End of Year parties will be held in Klemzig and Light Square. Come along for a free lunch and lots of fun! Klemzig party details: Location: Klemzig Community Hall Time: 11:30am – 3:30pm Date: Tuesday 09 December
Above: SA Police Crime Prevention Officer Bridgette.
SA Police Safety Presentation
Knowing how to stay safe in different situations can be tricky, but who better to learn from than the South Australian Police? Residents made their way to Campbelltown Public Library on a cool September morning to enjoy a presentation from Crime Prevention Officer Bridgette who shared practical tips on personal safety. Here’s some of the key tips to keep in mind: • When heading out, let someone know where you are going and the time you will return. • Be aware of your surroundings when using a mobile phone or wearing headphones. • Always keep your bag, wallet and mobile phone where you can see them. • Don’t use ATMs in isolated or dark areas and avoid withdrawing large amounts of money. • In life-threatening emergencies call 000 . • If it’s not life-threatening call the non-emergency police line 131 444 . • If you’d like to report a crime but want to stay anonymous call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 . You can also make a report on their website https://crimestoppers.com.au/
Light Square party details: Location: Outside 75 Light Square Time: 11:30am – 3:30pm Date: Tuesday 16 December
Please send your RSVP to communitydevelopmentsa@hcau.org.au or call 1300 312 447 by November 30 . Please note you are only able to RSVP for one event so let us know which event suits you best. Carers and support people are welcome so please include them in your RSVP.
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Right: Bill and his dog Poppy at the Emergence installation at Illuminate. Exploring Illuminate
As every Adelaidean knows, once the temperature starts to drop and winter settles in, the city comes alive with colour and creativity as the Illuminate Festival lights up Adelaide with stunning displays and immersive experiences from artists around the world. Each year, Housing Choices invites residents to join us for a walk to experience the magic of Illuminate together. This year was no different, as residents bundled up against the cold and set off from Light Square and followed a trail of lights through the city.
Our first stop was Emergence by the Festival Theatre; this was an interactive work made up of 75 mirrored panels and thousands of little lights. From there we walked to Government House to observe the colourful, projections on the front of the iconic architecture before making our way to the State Library. Next stop was the Art Gallery of South Australia and the Moon Garden where giant glowing spheres lit up the lawns, each one offering something different to discover. We then past Bonython Hall to finish our journey at Base Camp by the Australian Space Discovery Centre. Always a much-loved event, this yearly trip brings together those willing to brave the elements for a memorable night with friends and we can’t wait to see the displays again next year.
Below: Residents enjoying the Moon Garden display at Illuminate.
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Above: Fresh produce provided by Oz Harvest.
Housing Choices SA has been working with OzHarvest for many years to provide residents with regular food relief. It’s one of our longest-running partnerships - not only supporting residents with much- needed free meals but also helping to tackle another problem: food waste. According to OzHarvest, in Australia we waste over 7 million tonnes of food going into landfill, 70% of which is totally edible. Outside of the regular Saturday afternoon staples we provide with OzHarvest, residents can also check out the brand-new OzHarvest Market. It’s completely free and open to everyone - no ID or card needed. Just bring a shopping bag and help yourself to healthy fresh fruit, vegetables, and pantry staples. Free food, less waste with OzHarvest
Most Saturdays, resident volunteer Shane can be found at OzHarvest, greeting everyone with his bright smile and light- hearted jokes that bring joy to those around him. “I think OzHarvest makes a big difference for people that can’t get a lot of things. I enjoy volunteering because it’s people helping people, plus you get to hang out with others”, said Shane. Why not try out the OzHarvest market or drop by to our regular Saturday OzHarvest event and see what’s on offer? It’s a great way to pick up groceries at no cost.
Below: Housing Choices resident Shane (right) volunteering for Oz Harvest.
OzHarvest Market is located at 27 Manton St, Hindmarsh and open at the following days and times: Tuesday 9am -12pm
Wednesday 4pm -7pm Thursday 9am – 12pm
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Looking for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)? Housing Choices SA currently owns 10 SDA properties in both Adelaide CBD and Bowden – both with exciting vacancy opportunities. If you, a family member or friend are a NDIS participant and would like to know more please visit housingchoices.org.au/properties or for further information, contact our SDA Participant Engagement team at sdainfo@hcau.org.au or call 1300 312 447 .
Above: Residents Louise and Manisha at our Women’s Health Week event
Celebrating Women’s Health Week
Sally from our Community Engagement team partnered with our Common Ground support staff to host a special event for our female residents, focusing on health and wellbeing. Guest speakers included Poppy from the Common Ground Dental Clinic, who shared practical advice on oral health, and Laura from The Hospital Research Foundation Group, who highlighted the benefits of movement and exercise for overall wellbeing. Residents received tote bags filled with women’s health and wellness products, along with dental care packs generously provided by the Common Ground Dental Clinic. Printed fact sheets from Jean Hailes on a wide range of women’s health topics were also available to take home. Attendees enjoyed coffee and biscuits which created a welcoming space for connection and conversation. The women who attended left feeling informed, empowered, and encouraged to take positive steps in caring for their physical and dental health, with referrals provided to local community activities.
Enter your garden for your chance to win one of several $100 Bunnings vouchers. We’d love to see all kinds of gardens - indoor plants, balcony pots, veggie patches and front and backyard spaces big and small. Whether you are just starting out or are a seasoned gardener we would love to hear from you. To enter the competition, share some photos and a few words about your garden with our Community Engagement Officer Sally on 0417 919 500 or via communitydevelopment@hcau.org.au. Competition closes 17 November . Our Spring Gardening Competition is now open!
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Above: Devi’s paintings on display.
The South Australian Living Arts festival is a state-wide celebration of visual art, showcasing the work of more than 9,000 artists each year in over 600 venues. This year, Housing Choices was proud to take part in the festival, transforming our community space at Mellor Street, Wauwi Inparilla, into a vibrant art gallery showcasing the work of Paradise-based artist and Housing Choices resident, Devi. Devi’s exhibition included a selection of her award-winning oil paintings, mosaics, sculpture and functional ceramics which showcased her talents across different art forms. Reflecting on the diverse series, Devi explained, “The themes in my work are often those of human activity such as dancing or sleeping. “The sleeping figures in my sculptures imply an awakening, self-reflection and disengagement from the outside world. Dancing of course is the act of freely expressing the body and designing movement. “My ceramic sculptures often reflect a whimsical and humorous approach to artistic expression.” It was a privilege to showcase Devi’s works during the living arts festival, and we are delighted have one of Devi’s beautiful oil paintings on display in Housing Choices Resident artist Devi shines at Art Festival Exhibition
Left: Devi with one her paintings Dance Me To The End of Love III (pictured on cover).
reception. The painting on display is from the Dance Me to The End series and is inspired by romantic images of 1950’s Bastille Day in Paris. We hope having Devi’s artwork on display will help inspire both established and emerging Housing Choices artists.
Right: An example of Devi’s sculpture.
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Important Safety Reminder: E-Bikes and E-Scooters We have some safety reminders to share about e-bikes and e-scooters which have become a growing source of fires in the home in Australia.
Above: Our national Supportive Services team.
New support to help residents manage their tenancy Keeping well and managing your tenancy can sometimes feel overwhelming – and that’s where the national Supportive Services Tenancy Supports program can help. The Tenancy Supports program is delivered by our Tenancy Support and Sustainment Coordinators. They work one-on-one with our residents to provide short term supports to connect you with community services in your area and provide practical tools to keep your tenancy on track. Whether you’re experiencing health issues, financial stress, social isolation, or other pressures, these factors can impact your ability to manage your tenancy. The Tenancy Support program is here to offer support during those times. This team doesn’t manage your tenancy or carry out inspections but works alongside your Housing Officer to provide extra help when you need it most. If you are already linked to housing support, for example through Common
Your safety is our top priority, please remember:
Do not charge or store e-bikes, e-scooters, or other light electric vehicles (LEVs) inside your home, hallways, or shared indoor spaces. Never charge near soft furniture items like couches, beds, cushions, or pillows. Store outside and away from direct sunlight. If stored indoors, keep them away from exits and pathways.
Lithium-ion batteries in these devices can overheat and pose a serious fire risk if not charged safely.
Use only reputable branded chargers and batteries that meet Australian Standards. Disconnect batteries from the charger as soon as the item is fully charged to prevent overheating of the battery or charger. Charge only in safe, well-ventilated outdoor areas (or in a designated mobility charging station if available in your building). Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when charging. If batteries are damaged or discoloured, dispose of them in designated battery bins (e.g. supermarkets, Officeworks).
Ground in South Australia, you may not be able to access the Tenancy Supports program.
By taking these simple steps, you’re helping keep yourself, your family, and your community safe.
To find out more, speak with your Housing Officer or call us on 1300 312 447 .
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Above: Common Ground Support team (L-R) Tegan, Fran, Team leader Fiona H, Heidi, Morgana, Jess, Sharni.
Say hello to our Common Ground support team
We’re delighted to welcome our new Supportive Housing Team in South Australia. This team is here to work alongside Common Ground residents, lend a hand where it’s needed and help create a friendly and supportive community. You can look forward to seeing our support staff around for a chat, offering support and helping with activities and programs – all to make life at Common Ground more enjoyable. Let’s meet the team!
Heidi – Case Coordinator
“I’m deeply committed to community development and creating safe, inclusive spaces where everyone feels they belong. I look forward to creating programs that residents can enjoy and embrace as their own.” Morgana – Community Connections Officer
“My focus is on empowering residents to live their best lives and build a supportive community at Common Ground. My style is person-centred, respectful of boundaries, and always about doing with rather than for.”
Jess – Connections Support Worker
Tegan – Case Coordinator
“I look forward to working with residents to identify their goals and strengths, using the amazing community around us. My approach is about empowerment, advocacy, and achieving change with a social justice focus.” “I hope to bring fun, laughter, experience and openness to learn. Of course, with a sprinkle of rainbow and an Italian accent! I love empowering people, because when you are empowered, the sky is the limit.” Fran – Participation Officer
“I am passionate about creating a welcoming environment and building strong relationships within our community. My favourite part of this role is seeing residents participate, grow, and achieve their goals.”
Sharni – Case Support Worker
“I believe every person is the expert in their own life. My aim is simply to help them reconnect with that and support them to move toward their own goals and aspirations, whatever they may be.”
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Home Stories Spring puzzle Win a $50 Bunnings voucher! To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Month in Australia – our crossword is filled with things that can help boost your mental health. 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.
W R
I
T
I
N G F
A X E M C
FIND THESE WORDS IN THE GRID:
G Z E W Q Y T R E N X I V A D E A I K F I D O E N R R A R L Y M A E U I R D E D N U K V N R N T T C F E E C T I R O C D I A I U T N I A N K I P S T T S L N I N N G S Y B H A I E N U N G O U A W Z I R D X E L G R M J G T H P G E Z S O S U N S H I N E C M R S V
Nature Sunshine Exercise Music Writing Laughter Friendship Gratitude
Gardening Walking Volunteer Mindfulness Meditation Craft Dancing
Please tell us the remaining word before 10 December 2025 Email: communitydevelopmentsa@hcau.org.au Post: 192 Waymouth Street Adelaide South Australia 5000 Only one entry per household is allowed. The winner will be drawn from all correct entries. Good luck!
Useful contacts
Vinnies Emergency Assistance: Adelaide Metro: 1300 729 202 between 9am – 1pm Monday to Friday. Regional South Australia: Visit your local Vinnies Shop.
National Debt Helpline: 1800 007 007 Lifeline: 13 11 14 QLife: 1800 184 527
1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732 SANE: https://www.sane.org/
Contact us: Please get in touch at any time if you have any questions or suggestions. For maintenance requests please call 1300 153 850 or report via email: infosa@hcau.org.au
General Enquiries 1300 312 447
Maintenance
192 Waymouth Street Adelaide SA 5000
infosa@hcau.org.au housingchoices.org.au
1300 153 850
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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