ANNUAL 2018 - Access Housing

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ANNUAL 2018 - Access Housing
2018
ANNUAL
REPORT
ANNUAL 2018 - Access Housing
2018 WINNER

Haven @ Rockingham
ANNUAL 2018 - Access Housing
CONTENTS

OUR STORY                                              2

OUR BUSINESS PLAN 2018–2020                           4

CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT         6

OUR GOVERNANCE                                        10

OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM                                   13

OUR PEOPLE                                            14

OUR INFLUENCE                                         16

OUR AWARDS                                            18

OUR TENANTS                                          20

OUR PROPERTIES                                       28

OUR VALUED PARTNERS                                  34

OUR COMMUNITY                                        36

OUR FINANCIALS                                       37

                 2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // Contents   01
ANNUAL 2018 - Access Housing
OUR STORY

     OUR VISION
     Access Housing Australia is a leading
     affordable housing provider delivering
     strong growth in housing options which
     make a difference to people’s lives.

     OUR PURPOSE
     To make a difference to people’s lives
     through provision of affordable housing
     solutions and quality services.

     OUR VALUES
     \\ Fairness
     \\ Respect
     \\ Integrity
     \\ Sustainability
     \\ Cooperation

02     2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // OUR STORY
ANNUAL 2018 - Access Housing
ACCESS HOUSING
AUSTRALIA LTD

Access Housing is one of Western Australia’s leading not-for-profit providers
of Community Housing. We proudly manage, purchase and develop secure,
sustainable and affordable homes for some of WA’s most financially and socially
vulnerable people including seniors, people living with a disability or mental
health illness, families and singles.

With more than 1,800 homes under management
across the Perth, Peel and South West regions, we
are one of WA’s largest non-government social and
affordable housing providers.

Access Housing works closely with a range of specialist
support providers and government agencies operating
in the disability, aged care, mental health, homeless,
youth housing, domestic violence and substance
addiction sectors to further assist our tenants beyond
our primary role as landlord. We encourage at-risk
tenants to engage with appropriate support services to
assist them in the ongoing stability and sustainability
of their tenancy.

Our property development projects deliver new homes
in high demand areas for people seeking affordable
rental, owner-occupier and investment options. Our
property sales to National Rental Affordability Scheme
investors further increase the much-needed supply
of affordable rental housing in WA, complementing
the homes Access Housing builds and retains for our
Community Housing portfolio growth.

The company’s not-for-profit status allows us to
reinvest earnings generated through our core
business into funding programs to support tenants to
access education, training and employment options
to increase financial resilience and break welfare
dependency. It also allows us to reinvest profits into
maintaining and growing our property portfolio which,
in turn, enhances our capacity to facilitate pathways
into and out of the social housing system for current
and prospective tenants.

                                                          2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // OUR STORY   03
ANNUAL 2018 - Access Housing
OUR BUSINESS PLAN 2018–2020

                                            Creating
                                           Awareness

                          Creating                               Creating
                          Stability                               Homes

                          Creating                               Business
                          Choices                                Enablers

04   2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // OUR BUSINESS PLAN 2018–2020
ANNUAL 2018 - Access Housing
• Influence Federal and State housing policy.
STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP
                                          • Raise public awareness of housing
Creating Awareness                          affordability issues and the potential
A competitive and contestable               of the Community Housing sector.
affordable housing system that            • Increase Access Housing’s market profile.
facilitates the growth of a large-scale   • Demonstrate the social value impact of our
Community Housing sector.                   activities to leverage philanthropic, social
                                            impact and government investment.

                                          • Ensure continuous improvement in customer
MEETING HOUSING NEEDS                       focused services that are compliant with
Creating Stability                          legislation and regulatory requirements.
Sustainable, stable tenancies             • Proactively manage tenancy risks to protect
in well managed and maintained              tenants, Access Housing and the community.
homes located in livable and              • Provide responsive, cost-effective property
inclusive communities.                      maintenance services to ensure quality livable
                                            homes for tenants and protection of assets.

                                          • Expedite sustainable pathways into social
MAKING A DIFFERENCE                         housing for people who are in housing need.
Creating Choices                          • Invest in programs and partnerships that
Consumer focused services with              improve tenant wellbeing and social inclusion
greater choice and control, enabling        and facilitate positive exits from social housing.
effective pathways across the             • Expand service options in the disability and
housing continuum.                          seniors’ markets.

                                          • Develop strategic alliances to deliver
SUSTAINABLE GROWTH                          scalable housing supply solutions.
Creating Homes                            • Explore national and state strategic
Large scale, replicable housing             alliance or merger options.
supply programs delivering a              • Acquire and develop new housing stock
diversity of affordable housing             aligned with need and to address
outcomes.                                   targeted market segments.
                                          • Provide effective strategic asset management.

                                          • Productivity: Optimise business efficiencies.
BUSINESS ENABLERS
                                          • Governance: Strengthen governance systems
Access Housing is a substantial,            and performance to safeguard business risk.
diverse and viable business that          • People: Align people and culture
is well governed with effective,            with business strategy.
strategic leadership.

                          2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // OUR BUSINESS PLAN 2018–2020       05
ANNUAL 2018 - Access Housing
CHAIRMAN AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER’S REPORT

In many ways the 2017/18 financial year for Access Housing resembled the year
preceding it. The WA property market continued to feel the effects of the State’s
sluggish economy as residential dwelling values remained depressed and rental
vacancy rates hovered around the levels seen during FY2016/17. This climate
provided Access Housing with some challenges during the year but also drove
the company to consolidate, innovate and enhance our areas of expertise and
quality of service delivery.

Access Housing achieved re-registration with the WA          including overseeing the Creating Choices Scholarship
Department of Communities as a Tier 1 Community              Fund. This fund is designed to assist tenants with fees
Housing Provider under the new Community                     for education or training courses and associated costs.
Housing regulatory framework during the year. The            It is proudly funded by the Access Housing Board of
framework, harmonised with the National Regulatory           Directors who donated $10,000 this year from their
Scheme for Community Housing, requires us to                 sitting fees in lieu of receiving personal payment.
demonstrate capacity and compliance against seven            Thanks go to our Directors for generously supporting
key performance areas including Tenant and Housing           this meaningful initiative.
Services, Housing Assets and Community Engagement.
                                                             Access Housing’s enhanced focus on supporting and
Thanks go to our staff who ensured the re-registration
                                                             creating choices for tenants was positively received as
process went smoothly and delivered the outcome
                                                             was reflected in our annual tenant survey results. The
allowing the company to continue its role as one of
                                                             overall satisfaction rate amongst our tenants increased
WA’s leading Community Housing Providers.
                                                             3% from last year to 90% in 2018. Congratulations
The re-registration process with the Department of           and thanks to our General Manager Community
Communities provided a catalyst for the company to           Housing Natalie Sangalli and her team, as well as to
revisit and refresh our Business Plan for the 2018-2020      our Property Assets team, for their dedication and
period. Our Board of Directors agreed on an updated          commitment to our tenants to help us achieve this
strategic direction at the end of 2017, which will see the   pleasing result.
company focus on five pillars of operations and service
                                                             The year was another memorable one for our Property
delivery – Strategic Leadership (Creating Awareness),
                                                             Assets team. We celebrated the completion of an
Meeting Housing Needs (Creating Stability), Making
                                                             award winning 51 apartment development at Baldivis
a Difference (Creating Choices), Sustainable Growth
                                                             (Jervis Rise) in the first quarter of FY2017/18 and
(Creating Homes) and Business Enablers over the
                                                             collected a prestigious 2018 Property Council of
ensuing period.
                                                             Australia Innovation and Excellence Award for our
Our Community Housing department embraced                    Haven @ Rockingham development in May. Jervis Rise
their Creating Stability and Creating Choices pillar         was also a finalist in the 2018 Urban Development
responsibilities during the year. This resulted in an        Institute of Australia National Awards for Excellence
uplift in meaningful tenant engagement and outcomes          (Affordable Development category) following its win
and strengthening of our choice based, inclusive and         in the same category at the WA State awards in late
customer focused service. The department’s Tenant            2017. To be nominated for and win illustrious industry
Support and Capacity Building team successfully              awards like these is a boon for not just Access Housing
delivered a range of programs and initiatives to assist      but also the Community Housing sector as it generates
tenants aspiring to improve their circumstances,             greater awareness of the sector and helps mainstream

06    2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // REPORT
ANNUAL 2018 - Access Housing
Community Housing Providers within the broader
property development sector.                                 The year was another memorable
The completion of Jervis Rise took Access Housing’s          one for our Property Assets team.
total number of residential dwelling completions since       We celebrated the completion of an
FY2012/13 to 321, of which 203 have been retained
by the company for Community Housing purposes.
                                                             award winning 51 apartment
In addition to this, at 30 June Access Housing was at        development at Baldivis (Jervis Rise)
90% completion on a small scale over 55s complex             in the first quarter of FY2017/18 and
at Hamilton Hill. We extend our thanks to our General
                                                             collected a prestigious 2018 Property
Manager Property Assets Duane Moroney and his team
for their continued outstanding effort and achievement       Council of Australia Innovation and
in delivering quality new affordable homes.                  Excellence Award for our Haven @
Market conditions impacted our expected Property             Rockingham development in May.
Development sales targets in FY2017/18. To address
this, management and the Board spent the past 12             complemented by upgrades to desktop and server IT
months reviewing activities and opportunities to             infrastructure. These upgrades increased operational
interrogate our business model and have identified an        efficiencies for staff, improved our business continuity
area of huge potential in our assets, asset management       position and provided enhanced functional strength
practices and treatment of assets. Initiatives in this       underpinning our commitment to the best possible
space will be rolled out in FY2018/19. Unfortunately,        security framework to protect tenant, corporate,
one of these initiatives is the closure of our real estate   employee and stakeholder data. Thanks to our General
agency, Access Housing Realty Pty Ltd (trading               Manager Corporate Services Lyn Brun for her oversight
as Magna Realty). At 30 June the company had                 of the office relocation process and leadership of our
commenced winding down Magna Realty operations,              Corporate Services team. The team provides a valuable
with rent roll sale negotiations underway and the            back of office service to ensure the company can
staggered transfer to Access Housing of the affordable       continue to provide a high level of frontline service
housing business managed on behalf of the City of            delivery to our valued tenants and other stakeholders.
Perth and not-for-profit organisations. The finalised        In February we farewelled Rebecca Tomkinson and Su
closure of Magna Realty is expected in 2019.                 Groome from the Access Housing Board of Directors
Access Housing’s revenue increased $4.79 million             and Executive management team respectively.
from last financial year to $29.67 million in FY2017/18.     We acknowledge and thank them both for their
However, the severity of the depressed property              professionalism and commitment.
market in WA had a negative impact on the company’s          In June, Access Housing joined with Community
finances overall as properties held by Access Housing        Housing Providers across the country in welcoming the
experienced reductions in value in line with the WA          passing of National Housing Finance and Investment
property climate. The net result for the company was         Corporation (NHFIC) legislation in federal parliament.
a loss of $4.03 million. We acknowledge and thank            The NHFIC will administer a $1 billion National Housing
our Chief Financial Officer Ian Aiyathurai for his fiscal    Infrastructure Facility and Australia’s first national
leadership and our Finance team for their efforts            Affordable Housing Bond Aggregator. The bond
throughout a challenging year.                               aggregator is designed to encourage non-government
In December 2017 Access Housing’s head office                investment in affordable housing. The bond aggregator
relocated from Fremantle to a brand new open-plan            is accessible to Access Housing and will provide
space at Rivervale. The new corporate surrounds were         cheaper, longer-term finance than traditional lenders

                                                                  2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // REPORT      07
ANNUAL 2018 - Access Housing
to Community Housing Providers to help increase the
supply of affordable housing. The National Housing        The establishment of the NHFIC
Infrastructure Facility will provide Community Housing    was a massive step forward for the
Providers with funding to finance infrastructure
required to fast track affordable housing delivery.       Community Housing sector as
The establishment of the NHFIC was a massive step         it will enable a significant increase
forward for the Community Housing sector as it will       in social and affordable housing
enable a significant increase in social and affordable
housing construction across the country. Access
                                                          construction across the country.
Housing Chief Executive Officer Garry Ellender played     who selflessly volunteered their time to deliver
an important role in lobbying the federal government      strategic leadership and oversight expertise during
to create such a financial intermediary via his           the year. Thanks also go to our dedicated Executive
Directorship on the Board of PowerHousing Australia.      management team and their committed staff for their
PowerHousing Australia had a close engagement with        continued hard work and front-line service delivery to
the federal government as it pushed for the creation of   our highly valued tenants and other stakeholders.
a federally endorsed institutional investment entity to
support the growth of the Community Housing sector        In the fourth quarter of FY2017/18 Access Housing
and delivery of new affordable homes nationally.          entered into a due diligence process with a large
                                                          Community Housing Provider to consider whether we
After eight and a half years serving as Access Housing    should join forces. Both organisations have separately
Chief Executive Officer, Garry Ellender advised of his    achieved more than 10 years of helping vulnerable
resignation and departed Access Housing in October        Australians access long-term, safe and affordable
2018. Under Garry’s leadership the company grew           housing at a time of unprecedented challenges in the
significantly and diversified to become one of Western    housing sector. Additionally, both organisations share
Australia’s largest not-for-profit affordable housing     a strong commitment to providing accessible and
providers and developers. We thank Garry for his          affordable housing for people living with a disability.
service, contribution to Access Housing and to the
industry during his time at the helm of the company       The primary focus for both parties in the due diligence
and wish him well for the future.                         process will be to clearly identify and explore options
                                                          that would strengthen both organisations and improve
Our political engagement extended to activities at a      outcomes for existing and future residents. Through
State level. We had key staff meet with State members     this process we are hoping to discover how we might
of parliament and WA government department staff          realise our long-term strategies to expand our national
to promote Access Housing’s advocacy agenda and           reach to help even more vulnerable Australians and
discuss housing affordability policy. These meetings      achieve greater impact in our work.
were complemented by our staff further promoting
our advocacy agenda by attending and presenting at        At the date of this report the due diligence process
various housing sector events, participating in media     was still underway. A Board decision is expected before
interviews and publicising housing project completions.   the end of the 2018 calendar year.

We extend our thanks to members of Access Housing’s       It is with great optimism that Access Housing enters
Board, Property Development Committee, Audit              the new age for the Community Housing sector
and Risk Committee and Governance Committee               brought on by the advent of the NHFIC. We are excited

08    2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // REPORT
to see how we can leverage opportunities made
available through the NHFIC to assist us in our mission
to deliver new affordable homes to Western Australians
seeking secure, sustainable accommodation. The
rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme
in WA will potentially provide Access Housing with
opportunities to collaborate with specialist disability
support service providers to deliver new, and upgrade
existing, properties to meet the needs of their clients.
Our innovative strategic asset management practices
will also hold us in good stead as we move forward.
This optimism extends to our core service delivery
area where we look forward to building on the positive
outcomes achieved this year in Creating Choices and
Creating Stability for our tenants.
We are positive and excited by the opportunities that
lie ahead in FY2018/19 and beyond.

DAVID LANTZKE                LYN BRUN
Chairman                     Acting Chief
                             Executive Officer

                                                           2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // REPORT   09
OUR GOVERNANCE
BOARD PRIORITIES

During FY2017/18 the Board was primarily focused on:

\\ Development and oversight of the new strategic Business Plan 2018-2020, key activities and priorities
\\ Financial monitoring including oversight of the company’s cash flow, debt management and liquidity risk
\\ Oversight of the company’s development programs including progress towards contractual targets with
   the Department of Communities (Housing)
\\ Governance oversight
\\ Key decision making including discussions regarding strategic National alliances and merger options

THE HON.                     DAVID LANTZKE                THE HON. JAMES
ANTOINETTE                   Chairman                     (JIM) MCGINTY AM
KENNEDY AO                                                Deputy Chairman
Patron

10    2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // OUR GOVERNANCE
DEBRA BAKKER   GEOFF LOTTER        MALCOLM O’DELL              CHRIS
Director       Director            Director                    PARKINSON
                                                               Director

                                                               Rebecca Tomkinson
                                                               resigned from the Access
                                                               Housing Australia Ltd
                                                               Board of Directors on
                                                               28/02/2018.

MATT RAISON    REBECCA STROM       REBECCA
Director       Director            TOMKINSON
                                   Director

                               2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // OUR GOVERNANCE    11
COMMITTEES                                             SUBSIDIARY
                                                       BOARDS

PROPERTY                                               ACCESS HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT                                            REALTY PTY LTD
COMMITTEE                                              BOARD
Matt Raison (Chair)
                                                       (TRADING AS MAGNA REALTY)
David Lantzke                                          Garry Ellender (Chair)
Jim McGinty                                            Allan Wilkerson
Louise Ainsworth                                       (resigned 22/02/2018)
Steve Carroll                                          Beverlie Denver
                                                       (appointed 19/03/2018, resigned 29/06/2018)
Duane Moroney*
                                                       Natalie Sangalli
Garry Ellender*
                                                       (appointed 29/06/2018)
Ian Aiyathurai*
                                                       Liz Waterhouse (Company Secretary)

AUDIT & RISK                                           ACCESS CCIN
COMMITTEE                                              LTD BOARD
Geoff Lotter (Chair)                                   Jim McGinty (Chair)
Chris Parkinson                                        Malcolm O’Dell
Debra Bakker                                           David Lantzke
Garry Ellender*                                        Debra Bakker
Ian Aiyathurai*                                        Liz Waterhouse (Company Secretary)

GOVERNANCE
COMMITTEE
Rebecca Strom (Chair)
Malcolm O’Dell
David Lantzke
Antoinette Kennedy
Garry Ellender*
Liz Waterhouse (Company Secretary)

* Executive

12    2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // OUR GOVERNANCE
OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

GARRY ELLENDER            IAN AIYATHURAI                      NATALIE SANGALLI
Chief Executive Officer   Chief Financial Officer             General Manager
                                                              Community Housing

DUANE MORONEY             LYN BRUN
General Manager           General Manager
Property Assets           Corporate Services

                                    2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM   13
OUR PEOPLE                                                  Access Housing is proud of our
                                                            exceptional staff for their continued
                                                            dedication, professionalism and
This year was both an exciting and challenging one
for Access Housing. From a staff perspective this           heart in ensuring we make a
dynamic was reflected in developing exciting new            difference to people’s lives through
internal opportunities and initiatives for our team and
welcoming and supporting new talent to assist with          our provision of affordable housing
the company’s growth and change.
                                                            solutions and quality customer
At 30 June Access Housing had 85 staff across our
Community Housing, Property Assets, Corporate               focused services.
Services and Finance departments.                           were also able to participate in twice weekly stretching
The year saw Access Housing establish a People              classes to improve physical and mental outcomes.
and Culture team, which has enhanced the strategic          Additionally, the company’s new performance
approach to Human Resources functions within the            management framework incorporates ongoing
organisation. Under the management of People and            coaching conversations at least once per quarter, with
Culture Manager Belinda Coghlan, the team consults          training and development opportunities and support
closely with staff to ensure culture and team dynamics      offered to staff.
allow for continued success, job satisfaction and
achievement in line with Access Housing’s Strategic         Access Housing continues to ensure staff are
Plan. As part of this process, the People and Culture       supported by maintaining a workplace that promotes
team facilitated the development of Business Unit           safe work practices and successfully lifted staff
Plans and used a ‘bottom up’ approach through staff         engagement by introducing and tracking individualised
engagement to refresh our company values and                online digital modules for our monthly safety
define associated attitudes and behaviours. The new         awareness education topics.
values will be integrated across the business during
                                                            The committed team at Access Housing is to be
FY2018/19.
                                                            commended for another year of performance devoted
To assist employees to healthily manage challenges          to serving our highly valued tenants, as well as each
and stresses that are sometimes apparent in their roles,    other, to further consolidate the company’s position
the People and Culture team introduced several new          as one of Western Australia’s leading providers of
wellbeing initiatives of benefit to staff. Throughout       Community Housing.
the year we held ‘Lunch and Learn’ sessions for staff
on dealing with change, anxiety, depression, resilience
building and financial planning. Staff at our Head Office

14    2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // Our people
NUMBER OF STAFF

85 IN TOTAL

 73%  27% 12                                          known ethnic            Gender parity
       (62 female)         (23 male)                    backgrounds           in Executive team

STAFF AGES                                            YEARS OF               STAFF AT
                                                      SERVICE                EACH OFFICE
             2
                 5
                                                      0 – 3 YEARS            HEAD OFFICE
                                                      51 staff               (PERTH METRO)
                                                      4 – 6 YEARS            67 staff
  29                      18 to 24 years 5            23 staff               PEEL OFFICE
                          25 to 44 years 49           7 – 9 YEARS            14 staff
                          45 to 64 years 29           6 staff                SOUTH WEST
                     49
                                                      10+ YEARS              OFFICE
                          65 & over 2
                                                      5 staff                4 staff

                                              2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // Our people     15
OUR INFLUENCE
      Housing affordability continued to be one of the                Access Housing had a strong display and delegation
      media, government, social services and property                 presence at the National Housing Conference in
      development sectors’ most frequently discussed,                 Sydney in late November 2017. The biennial conference,
      debated and reported on issues in FY2017/18. Amongst            which is convened by the Australian Housing and
      the diverse range of voices contributing to the broader         Urban Research Institute, is the largest social and
      conversation, Access Housing was able to make                   affordable housing event in Australasia. More than
      meaningful impacts as our staff engaged and worked              1,000 delegates from across Australia, New Zealand
      closely with a number of key stakeholders in these              and further afield attended the three-day event. Day
      sectors to achieve, and advocate for, greater housing           two of the conference saw Access Housing Project
      affordability outcomes.                                         Manager Ralton Benn form part of an expert panel at
                                                                      a workshop about energy efficiencies in housing. The
      Access Housing Chief Executive Officer Garry Ellender
                                                                      company showcased our services and achievements
      continued in his role as a Director of PowerHousing
                                                                      throughout the conference at a display booth in the
      Australia (PHA) and was appointed to the Community
                                                                      exhibition precinct.
      Housing Industry Association (CHIA) Board as the
      WA Region Director. Both organisations play key roles           Access Housing also consolidated our role as a
      in representing and advocating for the community                conversation and collaboration leader within the
      housing sector to government and business in Australia.         mental health and housing discussion during the year.
                                                                      Access Housing Practice Consultant Alison Paterson
      With nearly 30 years’ experience in the housing sector,
                                                                      presented a paper titled Improving Social Cohesion:
      Garry was also a ‘go-to’ commentator on housing
                                                                      Social housing, mental illness and addiction at the West
      affordability issues for members of WA’s media during
                                                                      Australian Council of Social Service 2018 Conference
      the year. Highlights included featuring in two Business
                                                                      in May and coordinated several workshops throughout
      News articles written by journalist Katie McDonald and
                                                                      the year with support providers assisting people living
      providing comments for media articles written for local
                                                                      with mental health issues.
      metropolitan and South West newspapers.
      In addition to memberships with PHA and CHIA, the
      company enjoyed memberships with the influential
      Property Council of Australia and Urban Development
      Institute of Australia. Access Housing leveraged these
      memberships to further advocate for the Community
      Housing sector at a State and National level.

                                           Ralton Benn presenting
                                               at the 2017 National
                                              Housing Conference
                                            Image courtesy of AHURI

Garry Ellender addresses CHIA WA members in March                     2017 National Housing Conference Access Housing’s exhibition booth
BUSINESS NEWS ARTICLES

PROPERTY                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          PROPERTY            PROPERTY
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          What is being approved?

                                                                                                                                                           Sustainability key to affordable living
                                                                                                                                                           Innovative affordable housing models                                                                                                                                                                       PROPERTY
                                                                                                                                                           have emerged in Fremantle, with
                                                                                                                                                           three developers pushing the envelope
                                                                                                                                                           of sustainability and lifestyle.
                                                                                                                                                                                                     “We’re creating affordable rental
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           There’s no one cookie-
                                                                                                                                                           Katie McDonald
                                                                                                                                                           katie.mcdonald@businessnews.com.au      options,” Mr Ellender told Business                                                                                                                                cutter approach, it’s down to the                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Source: HIFG
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Access Housing’s 51-apar
                                                                                                                                                                                                   News.
                                                                                                                                                           NOT-FOR-PROFIT organisation               “We’re seeing the casualisation                                                                                                                                  individual developers to ensure                                                                                                                                                                       “The top of the building is about
                                                                                                                                                           Access Housing this month opened        of the workforce, where people                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         the height of the existing trees,” he
                                                                                                                                                           a $4.6 million affordable housing       are running two or three jobs; it’s                                                                                                                                they deliver a product to the market                                                                                                                                                                said.
                                                                                                                                                           development in Fremantle it says        a future that’s already with us.
                                                                                                                                                           is the first solar-powered project        “That’s where the market gap
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      that will be acceptable - Garry Ellender                                                                                                                                                              Mr Pearce said his project would
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          provide options for people to move
                                                                                                                                                           of its kind in Western Australia.       is; that type of person won’t be eli-                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  into a quality development with a
                                                                                                                                                             Designed by Donaldson & Warn          gible for public housing because                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       small number of apartments.
                                                                                                                                                           and built by Western Australian         that works on a stock stand-                                                                                                                                        OPTIONS: Garry Ellender says medium density provides housing choice and more affordability. Photo: Attila Csaszar                                                                                    “There’s not much of this in Sub-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            AFFORDABLE: Don Fini says Nightingale Housing provides an alternative model for
                                                                                                                                                           construction company JAXON,             ard ‘your income is this’ model,                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       iaco, there are a lot of apartments

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Medium density misses the mark
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            sustainable development. Photo: Attila Csaszar
                                                                                                                                                           the project is being tenanted by        whereas those (creative) incomes                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       down the other end, but not up
                                                                                                                                                           members of the Fremantle-based          are up and down, and often based                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       this end,” he said.
                                                                                                                                                           Sustainable Housing for Artists         on contract wins.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        “The elected members at state
                                                                                                                                                           and Creatives (SHAC) cooperative,         “We’ve got to have more variable          There’s new ground to be broken in                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         and local level have to accept that
                                                                                                                                                           and features 12 residences (nine        responses in terms of rental and                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       it’s just not sustainable in Perth to
                                                                                                                                                           have already been leased), and two      sales products.                         housing and in affordability - Don Fini                                                                                    A disconnect between urban infill ambitions in WA and the sector’s ability to deliver is                                                                                                            continue with single residential.”                                             Windsor Knight’s proposa
                                                                                                                                                           communal art studios.                     “Governments can’t afford to                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           The City of Nedlands is also
                                                                                                                                                                                                   keep pumping out new social
                                                                                                                                                                                                   housing stock, they’ve got to find
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           the rising cost of power from
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           the grid,” Mr Marra told Business
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 especially among the new genera-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 tion of buyers.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            given to central service workers,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            such as nurses.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      hindering the development of medium-density projects.                                                                                                                                               in the midst of reassessing its
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          framework, with the city’s draft
                                                                                                                                                                We’ve                              solutions.”                             News.                                   The two-storey building                     Under its model, investor return                                                                                                                                                                                                           Local Planning Scheme No 3 set to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 apartments four storeys and            at seniors and people living with       Access Housing development         according to a city spokesperson.
                                                                                                                                                                                                     Mr Ellender said partnering              “The One Planet Living inter-      comprises three one-bedroom,               is capped at 15 per cent per annum.                                                                                                                                                                                                           replace its existing scheme, which
                                                                                                                                                           got to have                             housing associations such as            national sustainability initiative    one-bathroom apartments with a             In addition, there are no selling                                                    above, followed by semi-detached       disability currently under con-       manager Duane Moroney said the         Windsor Knight director Greg
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          has been in place since 1985.
                                                                                                                                                                                                   Access Housing with financiers,         is based on the idea that, to live    shared garden and outdoor living                                                                                                one-storey dwellings, with the         struction in Hamilton Hill.           company was aiming to expand         Pearce has been keeping an eye
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            fees or real estate agents involved
                                                                                                                                                           more variable                           builders and land developers was        sustainably, we need to live within   area, which were listed for sale in        and no money spent on market-                                                        remaining medium-density prod-           Mr Ellender said Access’s           into dual-key and terrace housing,   on its progress.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            The draft scheme proposes a
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          selection of streets in Nedlands,
 MARKET GAP: Garry Ellender says Access Housing is aiming to fill a market gap between social housing and private rentals. Photo: Attila Csaszar                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 uct falling short (see table).         projects were largely in the          and that there were inconsisten-       The local developer, responsible
                                                                                                                                                           responses in                            one solution.                           the limits of one planet’s natural    April.                                     ing activities, with sales made via
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  “Density seems to be an ugly          medium-density space due to           cies inherent in perceptions of      for the recently completed Subi
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          such as Stirling Highway, Hamp-
                                                                                                                                                                                                     “We can do that more effectively      resources.                              One has subsequently sold.               word-of-mouth ‘advertising’.                                                                                                                                                                                                                  den Road and Broadway to have
                                                                                                                                                           terms of rental                         than government,” he said.                “This is more than simply             In addition to solar panels, the            WA developer Don Fini, who
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 word to many, associated with          the increased ability to deliver      what medium density actually         Centro precinct, lodged a develop-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          the potential for more density,
                                                                                                                                                                                                     “We’re not bound by strict policy     designing green, energy efficient     Gen Y apartments integrate solar           is driving the project, said these                                                   parking issues, land values and a      affordable housing across a range     represented.                         ment application for a four-storey
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          with a 1,000sqm block under the
                                                                                                                                                           and sales                               framework; we’re flexible, and          buildings.”                           passive design principles and fea-         conditions were put in place to                                                      loss of open space, but done well,     of product types – units, villas,      This was demonstrated at the        mixed-use development at 385
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          R-code R160 allowing the develop-
                                                                                                                                                                                                   SHAC is an example of where we            Mr Marra said LandCorp had          ture a 10,000 litre underground            help buyer affordability, with                                                       we know this is not always the         apartments and townhouses,            UDIA event, where some panel         Rokeby Road on the corner of
                                                                                                                                                           products                                                                                                                                                                                                   Katie
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      5-PAGEMcDonald
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              FEATURE                            case,” Mr Rowley told the event.       varying in size from one to three     members defined medium density       Duke Street in 2016.                   ment of 16 units.
                                                                                                                                                                                                   can try different things.               partnered with the City of Fre-       rainwater-harvesting tank.                 a covenant on resale to ensure            katie.mcdonald@businessnews.com.au                                                                                                                                                                    This could help the city in
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Aveling Homes’ Skinnies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  “Most have heard of the argu-         storeys, all with high-energy         as any semi-detached or apart-         The proposal, which planned

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      T
                                                                                                                                                           - Garry Ellender                          “These creative workers can           mantle and community groups to          The apartments were also built           affordability was passed on.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           range (and above)                     Now Living’s 80sqm lot ho
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             HERE is a ‘missing middle’          ment for greater density – how         ratings.                              ment dwelling up to four storeys.    for two levels of basement car         reaching a target set by the WA
                                                                                                                                                                                                   now afford to reside within the         ensure future residents of WGV        with sustainable building mate-               Apartments were also generally
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             phenomenon emerging in              long is it going to take us to reach     “There’s no one cookie-cutter       Others, still, considered Georgiou   parking, retail on the ground floor,   Planning Commission for an
                                                                                                                                                             The solar power network,              Fremantle area and stay active          were supported to change their        rials, including timber frames,            listed 10 per cent below market
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Western Australia’s prop-           our infill target?                     approach, it’s down to the indi-      Group’s The Pocket in Claremont,     commercial space on level one and      additional 4,400 dwellings to be          “Other factors such as tax policy   micro lots policy as part of the
                                                                                                                                                           funded with contributions from          in the well-recognised cultural         lifestyles, where each new resi-      lightweight insulated cladding,            price on an owner-occupier basis.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      erty sector.                                   “But this isn’t just about den-    vidual developers to ensure they      which features one six-storey        two storeys of residential, was        housed in the area by 2050.             also play a role in why we haven’t    state government’s push for more
                                                                                                                                                           project partner LandCorp, will be       and artistic fabric that the city is    dent would receive information        and ‘green’ low-carbon concrete.              “There’s new ground to be
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Steven Rowley, the director              sity, it’s about delivering housing    deliver a product to the market       building, to fit the brief.          rejected – largely on the basis of       Submissions on the draft close        seen more medium-density prod-        housing options, trialling terrace
                                                                                                                                                           the primary source of electricity,      renowned for.”                          on ways to operate their home           EHDO Architecture has adopted            broken in housing and in afforda-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      of Curtin University’s housing             choice and affordability and this      that will be acceptable,” Mr Ellen-     “Fundamentally we need to          its height, Mr Pearce said, of about   on March 29, with strong opinions       uct in WA,” Mr Allingame said.        houses on sites of 100sqm or less
                                                                                                                                                           with estimates that tenants will          The SHAC project sits within          efficiently to reduce running costs   similar design principles in its           bility,” Mr Fini told Business News.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      and urban research centre, told            is the message we really need to       der told Business News.               define what medium density is so     17 metres (with current provisions     voiced by numerous members of             “Stamp duty in particular acts      at Ellenbrook.
                                                                                                                                                           save between 15 to 20 per cent on       LandCorp’s ‘One Planet Living’          and how to grow sustainable food,     plans for WA’s first Nightingale              “Nightingale is one model that
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      an Urban Development Institute             enforce.                                 Mr Ellender said medium-den-        we’ve got a base to work from,” Mr   allowing for about 12 metres).         the community, so much so that          as a financial barrier to people        Long-term trials have already
                                                                                                                                                           electricity bills as a result.          accredited White Gum Valley             among other things.                   Housing project nearby the WGV             we can use to improve affordabil-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      of Australia industry breakfast               “So why aren’t we better at         sity product was best placed close    Moroney said.                          “There is a real phobia about        two of the city’s residents have        downsizing and moving into more       started in South Australia and
                                                                                                                                                             Access Housing will administer        estate (WGV), and is one of its           Mr Marra said WGV estate’s          precinct on Wood Street, which is          ity and I’d like to see how we can
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      earlier this month the state was           delivering medium-density hous-        to transport and high amenity,          “When there’s inconsistency in     height, people just can’t cope with    created a website called ‘Con-          appropriate housing. UDIA is sup-     Queensland, with an Urbis anal-
                                                                                                                                                           sales of the energy generated onsite,   strata developments benefiting          energy initiatives could save res-    due to start construction early 2018.      get it to work in social housing.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      failing to deliver in terms of its         ing? Is planning framework or          with Metronet hoped to be an          definition then the community has    it and I don’t understand it,” Mr      cerned Citizens of Nedlands’,           portive of a review of inefficient    ysis commissioned by LandCorp
                                                                                                                                                           with excess electricity exported to     from solar power infrastructure         idents up to $1,200 each year in        In addition to solar panels, the           “It’s changing the landscape
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      density and affordability targets,         lack of quality sites to blame?”       enabler for more development in       less confidence on what’s going to   Pearce told Business News.             which aims to debunk myths and          taxes such as stamp duty and a        finding micro lots provided hous-
                                                                                                                                                           the grid for wider community use.       as part of a demonstration pro-         reduced utility bills, with the aim   two-storey, 12-apartment building          and giving architects and devel-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      and in terms of buyer choice.                Access Housing chief executive       this space.                           be proposed as medium density.         “We need to come to grips with       misinformation about density,           move to a more broad based tax        ing typically priced at 70 to 80 per
                                                                                                                                                             Access Housing chief executive        ject supported by a $1 million          to reduce grid energy consump-        will feature rainwater harvest-            opers opportunities to drive their
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        He pointed to the latest avail-          Garry Ellender said although             “It’s a growing market, espe-         “A lot of weight falls on the      the issues, take good planning         in favour of a range of housing         system.”                              cent of the median house price in
                                                                                                                                                           Gary Ellender said the idea for         grant from the Commonwealth             tion by 60 per cent and mains         ing, double glazing, reverse brick         own projects with good social and
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      able data from the Australian              attitudes were changing towards        cially for downsizers wanting to      shoulders of local government.”      advice and really ask ourselves, can   options.                                 He said the state government         that surrounding area.
                                                                                                                                                           the project was developed in 2014,      Government’s Australian Renew-          water consumption by 70 per cent.     veneer, a communal laundry and             affordable outcomes.”
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Bureau of Statistics, which ana-           medium density, there was still        move out of big traditional blocks                                         Perth seriously continue its ever        UDIA WA president Nick                was currently tweaking frame-           For example, Urbis found that
                                                                                             PIONEER: The Gen Y Demonstration Housing Project was          when the SHAC cooperative had           able Energy Agency.                       Another building at LandCorps       rooftop vegetable garden, with                Mr Fini said the project was still                                                                                                                             Framework
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      lysed 100,000 WA residential               a strong presence of ‘Nimby-ism’       into more manageable spaces,” he                                           increasing low-density expansion?”     Allingame said a lack of a clear        works for the medium-density          the average house-and-land pack-
                                                                                                                                                           been lobbying the City of Freman-         LandCorp chief executive              WGV estate is the Gen Y Demon-        intentions to recycle the exist-           accepting expressions of interest
                                                                                             designed by Fremantle Architect David Barr. Photo: LandCorp                                                                                                                                                                                                              building approvals over the past           (not in my backyard).                  said.                                   The City of Subiaco’s proposed       Mr Pearce said quality design        policy framework to facilitate and      volume for R-Codes as well as         age at Peet’s Lightsview estate in
                                                                                                                                                           tle for support, as many members        Frank Marra said a recent shift         stration Housing Project designed     ing building’s brick and timber            and had already attracted more

                                                                                            15-20%
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      five years and found about 35                During the past five years,            “The property industry is           Scheme Amendment No 35, which        underpinned good medium-den-           encourage medium-density devel-         releasing their position statement    SA was priced at $345,000 – 32 per
                                                                                                                                                           had been priced out of the area’s       in buyers’ attitudes had led to         by Fremantle-based architect          material.                                  than 35 prospective purchasers,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      per cent of approvals in ‘other            the WA-based not-for-profit            starting to respond and innovate      will allow development provisions    sity developments, which is why        opment had been a barrier.              on micro lots.                        cent less than the median price in
                                                                                                                                                           housing market.                         a greater uptake of sustainable         David Barr.                             Nightingale Housing is a Mel-            who had been regularly surveyed
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      dwellings’.                                affordable housing company has         because there is demand, but I        to increase the size of building     he increased his proposed residen-       Finding appropriate land in the                                             an associated suburb.
                                                                                                                                                            He said the SHAC cooperative           developments.                             The project was inspired by         bourne-based social enterprise             to determine and choose additions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Breaking that category down,             delivered 298 medium-density           think red tape continues to be        envelopes, received more than        tial ceiling heights to about four     right location for delivering qual-     Alternative                            Last year, Now Living, a BGC
                                                                                                                                                           was an active participant in the          “At a local level, homeowners         research by Curtin University         that delivers affordable and sus-          such as air-conditioning, a laun-
 SUSTAINABLE: Solar power is the primary source of electricity at the SHAC development.                                                                    design of the project to help deliver   are rethinking energy use and           that showed sustainable housing       tainable multi-residential housing         dry and car bays, with costs listed
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      the biggest supply of density              residences across 19 projects,         problematic; there’s inconsistency    200 submissions during its recent    metres, well above the industry        ity medium-density product was            Earlier this month, the WA Plan-    Homes Brand, started work on
 Photo: Abigail Harman                                                                      ELECTRICITY BILL SAVING AT SHAC                                affordable housing options.             exploring alternatives to negate        influenced purchasing decisions,      in cities, with buyer preference           beside each option.                       focused       dwellings   were     in      including a development aimed          across local councils.”               public consultation process,         minimum standard of 2.4m.              another challenge.                      ning Commission released a draft      the first residential green-title

30              businessnews.com.au | August 14, 2017                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     August 14, 2017 | businessnews.com.au                 31    28                   businessnews.com.au | March 26, 2018

                                                        Published: August 2017                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Published: March 2018

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // our influence                                                                                                                                                                                                                                17
OUR AWARDS

                    Access Housing’s Haven @ Rockingham apartment and townhouse complex
                    claimed the prestigious Best Affordable Housing Development award at the 2018
                    Property Council of Australia Innovation and Excellence Awards in May.

                    The Property Council of Australia’s National            Scheme investors to help increase the supply of
                    Innovation and Excellence Awards is one of the most     affordable rental housing within the high-demand
                    prestigious property awards programs in Australia,      Rockingham area. The development has also provided
                    promoting excellence in design and innovation in        owner-occupiers with a range of affordable home
                    the built environment since 1982.                       ownership options.
                    Completed in November 2016, Haven @ Rockingham          Haven @ Rockingham is located close to public
                    is an architecturally designed three-level mixed use    transport routes and interchanges and is only
                    development comprised of 28 stylish apartments,         minutes to the Rockingham foreshore. Other
                    four townhouses and three commercial spaces within a    amenities such as schools, parks, sporting facilities,
                    secure, boutique complex.                               Murdoch University campus and Rockingham City
                                                                            Shopping Centre are also close by.
                    Haven @ Rockingham provides much-needed
                    affordable rental housing for a diverse range of        Access Housing Chief Executive Officer Garry
                    people, which is provided through homes retained by     Ellender said Haven @ Rockingham’s award win
                    Access Housing for Community Housing purposes           showcased the company’s continued ability to deliver
                    and homes sold to National Rental Affordability         industry recognised affordable housing developments.

ward for Best
ntial Development               2018 WINNER

                    18    2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // our awards
Access Housing General Manager Property Assets Duane Moroney accepting the
Best Affordable Housing Development award for Haven @ Rockingham at the 2018
Property Council of Australia Innovation and Excellence Awards in Sydney in May

                                                                2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // our awards   19
OUR TENANTS

         27%                                                                                57
                                                                                    Organisations we worked with
           of tenancies are                                                             to assist our tenants
         supported tenancies

              16%                                                                  GENDER OF PRIMARY TENANTS

                                                                                     61%
             Mental Health

                 9%
                                                 3026
               Disability

                 2%
                 Crisis                      people housed                           39%
                                                               PRIMARY TENANT AGE GROUPS

                                   $10.4                          15 to 24 years
                                                                  25 to 44 years
                                   million
     1761
                                                                  45 to 64 years
                                   Social Value                   65 & over
                                    Indicator
         Tenancies             Reduction of living costs
                                 delivered to tenants
                                                                              3%      31%       41%      25%

     OUR HOUSEHOLD COMPOSITIONS

                 3%
           11%
      3%
                                          Single person             Couple plus
                                                                   	
      9%                                                            child/ren under 16
                                          Sole parent plus
                                         	
                             60%          child/ren under 16         Family

       14%                                Couple only               Group/non-related
                                                                   	

20      2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // our tenants
53
        Tenants we referred
                                         241
                                    New tenancies started
                                                                       210
                                                                      Tenants attended
            for support                                                Access Housing
                                                                      workshops, focus
                                                                      groups and other
                                                                    engagement activities

                       LENGTH OF TENANCY

                                                       0 to 5 years 980 (55%)
                                                       6 to 10 years 618 (35%)
                      55%                35%
                                                       11 to 15 years 126 (7%)
                                                       16 to 19 years 33 (2%)

                                    7%                 20+ years 4 (1%)
                               2%
                               1%

TENANT PRIMARY INCOME SOURCE

        3%
                                                                           OUR TENANTS
               11%                                                         COME FROM
                                                                           68 DIFFERENT
                                                                           COUNTRIES
                               Wages
                                                                           TOP 10 BIRTH COUNTRIES
                               Centrelink                                  OF TENANTS
                               Other                                       Australia, United Kingdom,
                                                                           New Zealand, Congo,
                                                                           Somalia, Afghanistan, China,
         86%                                                               Philippines, Thailand, Sudan

                                                 2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // our tenants    21
ANNUAL TENANT SURVEY

Access Housing again engaged the NSW Federation of Housing Associations to
conduct our annual Tenant Survey. The feedback from this year’s survey showed
a high level of satisfaction with Access Housing’s services, which is reflected in
a 3% increase on last year’s overall tenant satisfaction rate to 90% in 2018.

Other survey results showed:

              of tenants were                                                           of tenants were
                                                     of tenants said
     93%      satisfied with the
              condition of their
              home
                                           93%       repairs staff were
                                                     helpful and attentive
                                                                             89%        satisfied with
                                                                                        communication with
                                                                                        Access Housing

                                                    of tenants were
              of tenants were
     88%      satisfied their tenant
              rights were upheld
                                          86%       satisfied with overall
                                                    repairs and
                                                    maintenance

                                                                   ACCESS HOUSING HAS BEEN THE BEST THING
                                                                    THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME. I DON’T
                                                                   KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO WITHOUT ACCESS
                                                                   HOUSING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MY LIFE IS
                                                                  NOT EASY DUE TO MY HEALTH BUT YOU PEOPLE
                                                                    SURE MADE THE REST OF MY LIFE EASIER.

                                        ACCESS HOUSING
                                       ARE DOING A GREAT         IF IT WASN’T FOR
                                        JOB IN PROVIDING                                THANK YOU TO THE
                                                                 ACCESS HOUSING          STAFF AT ACCESS
                                       LOVELY HOMES FOR             I WOULDN’T
                                         PEOPLE LIKE ME                                 HOUSING. YOU HAVE
                                                                   HAVE A PLACE         HELPED ME WITH MY
                                         WHO SUDDENLY              TO LIVE. I AM
       I CANNOT EXPRESS                                                                 HOME INTO GAINING
                                        FIND THEMSELVES           VERY GRATEFUL
       HOW GRATEFUL ME                                                                    INDEPENDENCE
                                        WITHOUT A HOME           AND HAPPY WITH
       AND MY FAMILY ARE                                                                AND INTO HAVING A
                                       THROUGH NO FAULT             EVERYTHING
      TO BE AHA TENANTS.                                                                 GOOD QUALITY OF
                                       OF THEIR OWN AND I        ACCESS HOUSING
       SUCH AN AMAZING                                                                   LIFE. THANK YOU.
                                       WILL BE ETERNALLY          HAS DONE FOR
      SERVICE. THANK YOU.
                                       GRATEFUL TO THEM.         ME AND MY KIDS.

       I LOVE MY UNIT. IT IS              THANK YOU. IT            I HAVE FOUND           ACCESS HOUSING
      A LOVELY PLACE AND                   CHANGED MY             ACCESS HOUSING         HAS PROVIDED MY
      HAVE NEVER HAD ANY                LIFE COMPLETELY              STAFF TO BE          FAMILY A GREAT
     PROBLEMS WITH ACCESS               FROM HOMELESS                 FRIENDLY,          OPPORTUNITY TO
      HOUSING STAFF. THEY                 TO WORKING. I           COMPASSIONATE,         LIVE A HAPPY AND
        ARE EXCEPTIONAL                  LOOK FORWARD             RESPECTFUL AND          FULFILLING LIFE.
           AT THEIR JOB.                  TO MY FUTURE.           HELPFUL. THANK            THANK YOU.
                                                                    YOU ACCESS!

22     2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // our tenants
COMMUNITY HOUSING REPORT

The year was one of significant evolution and               \\ in partnership with Sisters of St John of God,
consolidation for our Community Housing department.            successfully housing women who had experienced
We provided enhanced opportunities to our tenants              homelessness with their children in four Way Home
through a range of new programs and initiatives and            program properties. With funding from Sisters of St
actively collaborated with a range of stakeholders to          John of God, we invested in a Tenant Support
further assist with the ongoing stability, sustainability      Officer who provides individualised support to
and success of our tenancies.                                  ensure program participants are secure within their
                                                               tenancy and connected to their community.
To deliver on the company’s Making a Difference
(Creating Choices) strategic pillar, this year we further   \\ continuing an intensive management approach with
invested in and evolved our Creating Choices Program           our high-density apartment complexes through
for tenants. We would like to acknowledge SMYL,                sensitive lettings, increased collaboration with
Moving On Program, Bizlink, Sodexo, Staff-Net and              support providers and community services and
Communicare for working with us to progress the                place-based tenant engagement initiatives.
program during FY2017/18.                                   \\ evolving our customer service by streamlining
Creating Choices Program and associated tenant                 internal processes and investing in staff through
engagement achievements for the year included:                 Residential Tenancy Act and other training activities
                                                               for Community Housing department staff.
\\ running financial workshops that aimed to build the
   financial resilience of participating tenants. These     The year also saw our Community Housing department
   workshops were run in collaboration with the             leadership team progress activities aligned with our
   Financial Counselling Network.                           Strategic Leadership (Creating Awareness) pillar. This
                                                            was done through collaboration with stakeholders in
\\ launching the Creating Choices Scholarship Fund,         the government and social services sectors to build the
   which allowed us to remove financial barriers for        profile of Community Housing as a key element in
   tenants with education and training ambition.            deflecting from and disrupting cycles of homelessness
\\ improved monitoring of social outcomes by                at a practice and policy level. This included starting
   capturing tenant experiences to better understand        discussions around mental health, housing and
   their levels of safety, security, community              homelessness to better understand the issues and find
   connectedness and empowerment.                           more innovative and collaborative approaches to how
                                                            we can sustain complex social housing tenancies. Key
\\ strengthening our person-centred practice regarding
                                                            collaboration activities and achievements included:
   tenant communications and publications, with a
   focus on giving tenants a voice and providing more       \\ spearheading a stakeholder reference group with
   opportunities for them to steer the development of          housing providers, community support workers,
   content that affects and informs them.                      government authorities and tenants with lived
We continued to have a strong focus on our strategic           experience of mental illness, alcohol and/or drug
pillar and core work of Meeting Housing Needs                  use. Findings were presented in an infographic on
(Creating Stability), with an emphasis placed on               the cycle of mental health, housing and
concentrated property management to sustain                    homelessness at the 2018 Western Australian
tenancies with complex needs and tenant engagement.            Association of Mental Health Conference.
There was a pronounced focus on our high density            \\ presenting on the topic of Making Place – Social
social housing complexes and several of our housing            Housing, Social Inclusion and Social Cohesion at the
programs throughout the year. This focus was a                 2018 WA Council of Social Services Conference.
catalyst for high-level collaboration with support          \\ facilitating consultations (funded by the Mental
providers and partner organisations to help sustain and        Health Commission) with 61 tenants and support
strengthen tenancies, mitigate risks, strengthen               workers impacted by mental health issues about a
compliance practices and improve outcomes for                  new model of recovery for those impacted by
tenants. Key achievements included:                            mental illness and/or drug and alcohol addictions
\\ Access Housing establishing a Tenant Support                called ‘Recovery Colleges’.
   Facilitator role. This enabled us to enhance working     \\ attending workshops about collaboration following
   relationships with support providers and mental             changes to the machinery of government.
   health clinics that support our Independent Living
   Program tenants to remain housed.                        Our Community Housing department looks forward to
                                                            building upon our successes of 2018 as we continue to
                                                            deliver our high-level, customer focused service to our
                                                            valued tenants.

                                                            2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // our tenants       23
SOUTH WEST HOME IS WHERE
THE HEART IS FOR ZENA
Zena says she feels “blessed”.
Sitting in her brand new 2-bedroom home within our
Riverside Villas development at Boyanup, Zena is full of
praise for Access Housing for helping her find and
sustain housing after a period of homelessness.
A few years ago, Zena had been living in a leaky caravan
at Busselton in the middle of a freezing winter. She got
in touch with Access Housing in search of an affordable
rental property and was offered a home in the form of
a 1-bedroom villa at Boyanup, 30 minutes north-east of
Busselton. She was delighted to be able to move into a
home of her own.
A bit over a year after commencing her tenancy with
Access Housing, Zena moved into one of nine newly
constructed neighbouring seniors’ villas. With an extra
bedroom and more room to move, Zena couldn’t
believe her luck.

“I have never in my whole life lived                       Zena is a great supporter of the ageing in place concept,
in a brand-new place and now I’m                           saying it has allowed her to stay connected with the
                                                           community activities and groups she is involved with
60 and look at me – I’m in this                            at Boyanup.
brand-new place,” she said.                                “I think it’s absolutely wonderful that in small rural
                                                           areas people have the opportunity to stay where their
Zena’s new home is one of 23 properties Access             networks are, where they know the people around
Housing developed as part of our South West Ageing         them,” she said.
in Place Housing Pilot Projects at Boyanup and
                                                           “Boyanup’s quiet, it’s really, really friendly. I just feel like
Dardanup. The new homes feature a mix of 2 and
                                                           this is my home now, which is brilliant after being
3-bedroom villas that were delivered primarily to offer
                                                           homeless. I love it, it’s beautiful here.”
local seniors the opportunity to ‘right size’ into
affordable housing options better suited to their needs    Access Housing’s South West Ageing in Place Housing
without having to leave their home town.                   Pilot Projects were supported by Royalties for Regions.

24    2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // our tenants
TENANT SCHOLARSHIPS

This year saw Access Housing commence our Creating         Chanthou (pictured centre with Access Housing’s
Choices Scholarship Fund to assist aspirational tenants    Creating Choices Officer Alex Kepes, right) received a
to become job ready.                                       laptop, printer and software to support her studies
                                                           through the Scholarship Fund.
Access Housing’s Board of Directors donated $10,000
to the Scholarship Fund to assist tenants who are          Chanthou is a single mum who came to Australia from
aspirational with fees for education or training courses   Cambodia nine years ago. She is currently undertaking
and associated costs.                                      a Certificate 4 in Education Support, with her long-
                                                           term goal to study primary teaching at university. She
                                                           is highly motivated, engaged and is now receiving
                                                           careers advice and support about next steps through
Each successful scholarship                                our Creating Choices Program.
applicant received up to a                                 “Chanthou embodies everything the Scholarship Fund
maximum of $1,000 towards study                            and the Creating Choices Program aims to achieve –
                                                           she is highly aspirational, has potential and wishes to
or training related costs as well                          be a role model for her daughter and other women.
as support and guidance from                               She is very humble and hugely grateful for the support
                                                           from Access Housing,” Alex said.
Access Housing’s Creating Choices                          Chanthou was one of 17 tenants to benefit from the
Program team.                                              Creating Choices Scholarship Fund in FY2017/18.

                                                           2018 ACCESS HOUSING ANNUAL REPORT // our tenants     25
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