SOCIAL HOUSING IN NSW DISCUSSION PAPER - THE THIRD WAVE OF SOCIAL HOUSING: RESPONSE BY: DESCRIBING THE NEW PARADIGM OF SOCIAL HOUSING WITHIN ...
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SOCIAL HOUSING IN NSW
DISCUSSION PAPER
RESPONSE BY:
Compass Housing Services (“Compass”)
February 2015
THE THIRD WAVE
OF SOCIAL HOUSING:
DESCRIBING THE NEW PARADIGM OF
SOCIAL HOUSING WITHIN INTEGRATED
HOUSING ASSISTANCE RESPONSES
CONTENTS
Executive Summary 03
Welcoming Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper 05
Social Housing as an Integrated Part of Housing Assistance 07
A new paradigm for a modern housing assistance system 09
Diagram: Segments within Social Housing 09
Describing the Third Wave of Social Housing 11
Table: Contrasting Current System
and Third Wave of Social Housing 12
The Compass Pathways Initiative -
Newcastle Autonomous Social Housing Region 14
Compass Initiatives 16
The Compass Grow Program 16
The Compass Grow a Star Program 17
The Newcastle Foyer Project 18
The Deep Place Approach to Sustainable Communities 18
Compass Response to the Three Pillars 19
Pillar 1: A social housing system that provides
opportunity and pathways for client independence 20
Table: Pillar 1 Initiatives Proposed by Compass 20
Pillar 2: A social housing system that is fair 22
Table: Pillar 2 Initiatives Proposed by Compass 22
Pillar 3: A social housing system that is sustainable 23
Table: Pillar 3 Initiatives Proposed by Compass 23
About Compass 25
Conclusion 27
Compass Housing Services 02 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Compass Housing Services These challenges include a
(“Compass”), Australia’s largest lack of economic and social
non-Government social participation for social housing
housing provider, welcomes tenants, lengthening tenure,
the NSW Government’s a burgeoning backlog of
commitment to a fair and necessary maintenance, and
sustainable social housing the stigmatisation of public
system as a safety net for housing.
vulnerable people and a means
of providing pathways to Further, the NSW Government
tenant independence. has identified the reducing
but still important role of
In particular, Compass social housing with the rise
welcomes the NSW of Commonwealth Rental
Government’s Assistance (CRA) and the need
acknowledgement of the to integrate housing with
significant challenges and broader social and economic
opportunities that confront development initiatives.
social housing, driven by
profound underlying changes
in demographics and
Government (including the
Commonwealth Government)
policy and funding.
Compass Housing Services 03 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015IN RESPONSE TO THE NSW
GOVERNMENT’S LEADERSHIP,
COMPASS PROPOSES RECOGNISING
THAT AUSTRALIA NOW HAS A THIRD
WAVE OF SOCIAL HOUSING.
The first two waves of social housing focused upon
housing workers and housing those in most need.
In the Third Wave, social housing increasingly sits
within a continuum of housing assistance strategies
that also consider the wider social and economic
landscape.
THIS THIRD WAVE OF SOCIAL HOUSING IS
CHARACTERISED AS SOCIAL HOUSING THAT:
Is seamlessly integrated within a broader array
of housing assistance mechanisms;
Focuses on the impact that housing can have
on people by considering all aspects of their
lives, their pathways to social and economic
participation, and the communities in which they
live;
Specifically, Compass is proposing to give
Uses different but consistent approaches to
expression to the Third Wave of Social Housing
different groups;
with the creation of a Newcastle Autonomous
Provides encouragement for people in social
Social Housing Region, based on the transfer of the
housing to contribute to their own advancement management of the existing public housing within
and the betterment of their community; the City of Newcastle (currently approximately 4,000
dwellings).
Incorporates ambitious, defined and transparent
goals and outcomes for both people and This initiative will develop and link multiple
property; pathways that address tenant education and
employment, transition to successful adulthood,
Makes property decisions by considering:
access to the private property market, service
development and co-ordination, social housing
• The capacity of the property to facilitate efficient
asset renewal and the better financing of social
support for people’s social and economic
housing.
participation;
The NSW Government’s leadership in addressing
• The economic efficiency and lifecycle stage of the
the future of social housing has created a unique
property; and
opportunity to reposition social housing within a
• The opportunities for redevelopment to increase more sustainable and productive housing assistance
capacity, increase useful life, reduce costs and/or framework. Compass is proposing to deploy this
release value; and new approach to social housing in the Newcastle
Autonomous Social Housing Region Initiative,
Positions social housing agencies as key partners
building on proven practice from within NSW
in all urban, economic and social initiatives. and beyond.
Compass Housing Services 04 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015WELCOMING SOCIAL
HOUSING IN NSW
DISCUSSION PAPER
COMPASS HOUSING WELCOMES A poor response to young people confronting
homelessness;
THE NSW GOVERNMENT’S
COMMITMENT TO A SOCIAL HOUSING Higher rates of domestic violence and crime;
SYSTEM THAT IS A SAFETY NET The poor condition and underutilisation of social
FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE, PROVIDES housing;
OPPORTUNITIES AND PATHWAYS TO The mismatch between social housing location
CLIENT INDEPENDENCE, AND IS FAIR and employment opportunities;
AND SUSTAINABLE. Alarm at the level of unaddressed antisocial
behaviour (ASB) within social housing; and
Government policy and practice barriers to more
innovative leadership by social housing landlords.
LIKE THE NSW GOVERNMENT, COMPASS
RECOGNISES THAT THE NSW SOCIAL HOUSING
SYSTEM IS CONFRONTING:
COMPASS RECOGNISES THAT GOVERNMENT HAS
A lack of economic and social participation
EXTENSIVE AND DIVERSE RESPONSIBILITY FOR
for social housing tenants; PROVIDING HOUSING.
Lengthening tenure;
Specifically, Compass accepts the advice of Harris
Wheeler (Attachment: Advice regarding Social
A burgeoning backlog of necessary
Housing paper: Harris Wheeler, Lawyers) that
maintenance; and Government’s responsibility to provide housing is
not always limited by the financial viability of that
The stigmatisation of public housing.
housing. Harris Wheeler identifies that Australia has
obligations to provide adequate housing (“the right
to live somewhere in security, peace and dignity”)
SPECIFICALLY, THE CHALLENGES CONFRONTING as reflected in:
SOCIAL HOUSING HAVE RIGHTLY BEEN
IDENTIFIED AS: Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights;
Limited avenues or incentives for exits from
public housing; Article 11 of the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; and
Poor social and economic outcomes;
Other international conventions to which
Limited education, employment and health
Australia is a signatory covering discrimination
(including and mental health) outcomes; and the status of refugees.
Compass Housing Services 05 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015THE SECOND CONVENTION
REQUIRES SIGNATORIES TO FUND
“TO THE MAXIMUM AVAILABLE
RESOURCES” AND NOT JUST
AVAILABLE HOUSING FUNDING.
HARRIS WHEELER ASSERTS COMPASS SUPPORTS THE In recognition of the changing
THAT “THE SUSTAINABILITY THREE UNDERLYING PILLARS role of social housing, Compass
PILLAR … IS NOT CONSISTENT OF REFORM PROPOSED BY proposes identifying this
WITH AUSTRALIA’S THE NSW GOVERNMENT: new approach as “The Third
OBLIGATIONS UNDER Wave of Social Housing”. This
INTERNATIONAL TREATIES”.1 approach considers social
PILLAR 1 housing as an integrated
Additionally, the viability of A social housing system part of a broader Housing
housing should be considered that provides opportunity Assistance scheme.
holistically within the context and pathways for client
of broader social or economic independence. To bring this vision to life,
initiatives i.e. the capacity of Compass proposes the
that housing to contribute to system that works
A establishment of a Newcastle
the objectives of the broader to break the cycle of Autonomous Social Housing
program. For example, a social disadvantage and builds Region that will showcase a
housing solution that allows an people’s capacity to move new and better framework,
older person to leave hospital into or stay in the private developed from robust and
may generate significant market. proven methodologies and
savings for the health system, practice from within NSW and
but would be unviable if rental outside, including overseas.
PILLAR 2
income alone was relied upon
A social housing system that
to calculate viability.
is fair.
An integrated and fair
system that provides a
safety net for vulnerable
people.
PILLAR 3
A social housing system that is
sustainable.
A sustainable system that
provides appropriate
housing assistance now and 1
Page 5, 13 February, 2015, Advice regarding
into the future. Social Housing paper: Harris Wheeler, Lawyers.
Compass Housing Services 06 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015SOCIAL HOUSING AS
AN INTEGRATED PART OF
HOUSING ASSISTANCE
In response to the NSW Government’s leadership, Compass proposes
that social housing is seen as being part of a continuum of housing
assistance, and a central component of other social and economic
initiatives.
Today, housing assistance is broadly funded by the Commonwealth
through the recurrent funding of Commonwealth Rental Expenditure
(CRA) and the capital funding of social housing by the Commonwealth
and States (largely funded through rental collection) with shared funding
for homelessness responses. CRA is targeted at supporting people in
the private rental market.
Compass Housing Services 07 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015COMMONWEALTH AND STATE AND TERRITORY
FUNDING SHARES, 2012-2013 2
Commonwealth
67%: Commonwealth Rent Assistance
Rent Assistance
($3,628 million) ($3,628 million)
Commonwealth
2%: NRAS ($87 million) National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS)
($5,439 million)
6%: NPA on Rem ($117 million)
ote Indigenous
Housing ($303 mil
lion)
19%: Natio
nal Afforda
ble Housin
g (NAH) SP
P ($1,014 m
illion)
on)
milli
S ($29
1%:
NRA 7% Social Housing
:N
PA
on ($5,194 million)
Ho
me
les
95%: sn
es
States and Territories Social Housing
s(
$1
57
($4,092 million) ($3,878 million) mi
llio
n)
+N
AH
SP
P(
$2
50
mi
llio
5%: Hom n)
elessnes Homelessness Services
s Servic
es ($185
million) ($591 million)
CRA HAS GROWN Over the same period, the amount of social housing stock has
SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE ITS declined and turnover has decreased – accordingly, fewer people can
INCEPTION IN THE MID 1980S be housed this way. (Social housing per head of population in NSW has
AND IS LIKELY TO CONTINUE declined by 10 per cent over the last 10 years3).
TO GROW, BOTH IN TERMS OF
THE NUMBER OF RECIPIENTS Without significant capital funding for new social housing stock (an
AND THE AMOUNT PAID TO unlikely prospect in the current economic and political environment), this
THEM. (THIS WILL BE ESSENTIAL trend is likely to continue. However, social housing remains an important
IF CRA IS TO RETAIN ITS response to housing need within the broader housing assistance
EFFECTIVENESS, GIVEN THAT framework, and a new approach must be undertaken if we are to
RENTAL MARKETS HAVE RISEN maximise its effectiveness.
FASTER THAN THE CPI.)
Compass is a long-standing Community Housing Provider with a trusted
and established relationship with some of the most socially excluded
people in our community.
This unique experience can enable Compass to make a major
contribution to the achievement of Government objectives, not only
providing Government with access to ‘difficult to reach’ groups for
improved housing services, but also to a wide range of agencies
delivering social and economic interventions.
Compass has pioneered a People, Places and Property approach to
housing management that demonstrates the added value that housing
services can bring to the achievement of educational, training, health
and employment initiatives.
2
Pg 16, Reform of Federation White Paper, Roles and Responsibilities in Housing and Homelessness ISSUES PAPER (2014), Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet,
Australian Government. 3 While public housing has declined by 25% ie there has been growth in community housing Pg 34, Reform of Federation White Paper, Roles and
Responsibilities in Housing and Homelessness ISSUES PAPER (2014), Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Australian Government.
Compass Housing Services 08 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015A NEW PARADIGM
FOR A MODERN HOUSING
ASSISTANCE SYSTEM
LIKE ANY SOCIAL ASSISTANCE SYSTEM, THE MOST A focus on reducing, eliminating or, at a
EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT HOUSING ASSISTANCE minimum, stopping escalation of the need for
SYSTEM SHOULD INCORPORATE: assistance;
Integrated access points;
A focus on prevention, diversion and early
intervention; and
A comprehensive set of integrated services and
products that are broadly available; Recognition and provision of appropriate services
to ensure that state statutory obligations to care
Robust and flexible management arrangements
for various cohorts are fulfilled.
within a consistent policy framework;
Housing assistance may include the provision
Transparent and consistent levels of subsidy;
of accommodation (Homelessness, Emergency
Accommodation, Social Housing, and Affordable
Few barriers between products and service
Housing) or assistance with the costs of private
offerings;
rental or private ownership. This can be seen as a
Little or no service cliffs (i.e. where access to a ‘whole system’ approach with a graded response to
different product or service dramatically changes a segmented population with different degrees of
the level of assistance provided); housing support needs.
SEGMENTS WITHIN SOCIAL HOUSING
Person who Person who
Person who
cannot work cannot work Person who
can work with
and cannot but can can work
limitations*
volunteer volunteer
Assistance
Long Term
with transition
Social Housing Segmented support continuum
to private
Tenancy
rental
*Includes varying degrees of limitation
• Inherent (disability or circumstantial (eg. sole carer for child under 5 years old, presently a child under 16), and;
• Episodic or permanent limitation.
Compass Housing Services 09 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015TENANT ENGAGEMENT WILL BE STRUCTURED AN ESCALATING RANGE OF INCENTIVES
AROUND PLANS, INCENTIVES AND SUPPORTS COULD INCLUDE:
THAT HELP TENANTS SECURE BETTER
EDUCATION, MORE EMPLOYMENT AND/OR MORE Structured payment arrangements;
PARTICIPATION IN THEIR COMMUNITY THROUGH
Education;
VOLUNTEERING AS THEIR POTENTIAL CAPACITIES
PROVIDE. Rental reduction based on changed behaviours;
Issues that are placing tenancies at risk should Behavioural contracts;
be addressed by intelligence-led decision making
– in other words, a well-researched general Rehabilitation programs;
understanding of why tenancies fail will provide
Support programs; and
a framework by which individual cases can
understood and considered in terms of their specific Changes in security of tenure
mix of circumstances. This should then inform (e.g. from tenancy to license).
the provision of responses that are tailored to the
tenant, but could also include outright eviction The key would be to identify the underlying
(where the indications are that compliance would cause(s) and assess what combinations of
be unlikely even with support and a ‘last chance’ responses are most likely to generate the required
licensed tenure). responses, and also what to do if they fail. Eviction
would remain an option.
The proposal is to build a graduated set of
responses with both positive and negative In fact, to achieve the paradigm shift required to
incentives to deal with issues such as failure to pay effectively move to the Third Wave of social housing
rent, property damage and anti-social behaviour will require both growth and transfer of the control
- rather than relying simply on eviction (and the of social housing to more diverse and locally
threat thereof). responsive entities: Community Housing providers.
The shape of the incentives will be best determined
by the response most likely to achieve the
required outcome, so will vary depending on the COMPASS ENDORSES THE NSW FEDERATION
issue affecting the client. It is assumed that the OF HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS ASSERTION THAT:
issues may be generated by a range (and possibly
The Community Housing industry is
combination) of causes – ranging from lack of
delivering for NSW;
education, poor behaviour, cognitive impairment
linked to disability, as well as drug and alcohol The Community Housing Industry is ready
abuse. to do more;
An Affordable Housing Strategy is required
to co-ordinate efforts;
New investment in housing is required as
part of essential infrastructure; and
Property transfers are required to achieve
a viable social housing system.
Compass Housing Services 10 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015DESCRIBING THE THIRD WAVE
OF SOCIAL HOUSING
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL HOUSING IN AUSTRALIA CAN BE DIVIDED
INTO TWO CLEAR HISTORICAL WAVES: INITIALLY AS HOUSING FOR
WORKERS, AND THEN FOR THOSE WHO ARE HOMELESS AND THOSE
MOST IN NEED.
Today, Compass proposes reframing how social housing in NSW is
considered to better recognise how it currently operates, the challenges
that the sector confronts and to capture the opportunities that are
emerging. Social housing can now be identified as entering a third wave,
where housing is considered alongside broader social and economic
initiatives that aim increase the capacity and the participation of citizens,
and encompasses a broad range of housing assistance options.
UNDER THE THIRD WAVE, SOCIAL HOUSING:
Focuses on the impact that housing can have on people by
considering all aspects of their lives, their pathways to social and
economic participation, and the communities in which they live;
Uses different combinations of social housing products and services
(including assistance into the private market) for different groups:
people of working age, children, young people, older people, people
with a disability, and people who are homeless or displaced by family
violence;
Places reasonable obligations on people in social housing to
contribute to their advancement and the betterment of their
community;
Has ambitious, defined, measurable and transparent goals for both
people and property outcomes;
Focuses on different pathways to social and economic participation
for the different segments while being bound by a consistent and
integrated framework;
Focuses on property by considering its capacity to enable people’s
social and economic participation, its economic efficiency and lifecycle
stage and the opportunity for redevelopment to increase capacity and
useful life, reduce costs and/or release value; and
Considers social housing agencies as key partners in all urban,
economic and social initiatives.
Compass Housing Services 11 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015Compass asserts that social and economic initiatives are best delivered
at a neighbourhood and community level, and that social housing
THIS MOVE TO A developments must contribute to engaged, functional, productive, and
NEW ROLE FOR socially and economically sustainable communities that include but
extend beyond social housing.
SOCIAL HOUSING WILL
HAVE A SIGNIFICANT Compass is currently enhancing its existing range of social interventions
with the use of the “Deep Place” approach developed in the UK to tackle
IMPACT ON HOW IT IS
poverty, poor health and low educational attainment in marginalised
DEVELOPED, ARRANGED communities, and to move communities challenged by long-term
AND INTEGRATED INTO inequalities to more socially and economically sustainable futures4.
THE FUTURE. Social housing agencies play a key role in this approach by providing
housing-led social and economic regeneration leadership. This work
within Compass is being led by Professor Dave Adamson, a significant
Welsh expert in social housing regeneration.
In this context, it is informative to compare the current social housing
system with that which is emerging in the Third Wave of Social Housing.
Contrasting Current System and Third Wave of Social Housing
AREA CURRENT SYSTEM THIRD WAVE OF SOCIAL HOUSING
Highest in need given Segmented approach with viability and sustainability
Access
priority. of community considered.
Limited and
inconsistent between
Assistance Fully integrated, with all products available to all
Government and .non-
Integration providers of housing assistance.
Government providers
of housing assistance.
Tenants streamed depending on potential to work
Similar policies apply
Segmentation and volunteer and those covered by state statutory duty
to all.
of care obligations.
Permanent tenure for those not able to work.
Mixture of long term Limited term linked to development and reviews for
Lease Tenure and short term leases those that can work with limitations.
on individual basis.
Limited term linked to development and exit plans for
those who can work.
http://bit.ly/1DglyOh
4
TABLE CONTINUES OVER PAGE
Compass Housing Services 12 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015Contrasting Current System and Third Wave of Social Housing (Continued)
AREA CURRENT SYSTEM THIRD WAVE OF SOCIAL HOUSING
For suitable situations, a transition to license could
be provided as an alternative to eviction. This tenure
Options limited to would include a requirement to meet defined behaviour,
License
Leases or eviction. supported by case-management with appropriate
services. There would not be access to the usual tenancy
appeal mechanisms.
Comprehensive assessment of influencing factors that
can be addressed such lack of support services for
people with mental health issues.
Anti-Social Reluctance/Inability to A dual approach to tenancy management that supports
Behaviour affectively address. tenants with social or health barriers to tenancy
compliance but with assertive enforcement of tenancy
and neighbourhood rules and use of eviction and
engagement with police in cases of criminality or serious
anti-social behaviours.
25% of income Market-based escalating to 75% of market.
Rental (plus CRA for For non-working tenants rent is set low, but linked to
community Housing). market not income.
Structured program for every tenant who can work
and/or volunteer. Created by partnerships with local
Education Limited.
schools, TAFE institutions and informal learning providers
in the third sector.
Structured program for every tenant who can work
including social enterprise programs.
Employment Limited. Creation of work opportunities in social enterprises
and social procurement relationships with local anchor
organisations (e.g. hospitals, universities, etc).
Volunteer development and support program linked
Community
Limited. to Community Engagement, which deploys volunteering
Engagement
as a transition to the labour market where possible.
Ongoing support (including financial as required) in the
Private
Limited. private rental market as a key element of the segmented
Rental
continuum of support identified above.
Significant levels
Service of difference in the Limited difference in subsidy level between social
Cliffs subsidy of people with housing and private rental.
similar needs.
Compass Housing Services 13 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015THE COMPASS
PATHWAYS INITIATIVE
NEWCASTLE AUTONOMOUS SOCIAL HOUSING REGION
COMPASS AIMS TO ADVANCE THE THREE PILLARS OF SOCIAL HOUSING
PROPOSED BY THE NSW GOVERNMENT WITH A NEW INITIATIVE –
THE COMPASS PATHWAYS INITIATIVE – THAT WILL BRING “THE THIRD
WAVE OF SOCIAL HOUSING” TO LIFE.
The Compass Pathways Initiative (“the Initiative”) proposes the creation
of a Newcastle Autonomous Social Housing Region, based on the
transfer of the management of the existing public housing within the
City of Newcastle (currently approximately 4,000 dwellings). The zone
will be used to develop, deploy and refine new approaches to asset and
social management, and will be resourced by $11m of Commonwealth
Rental Assistance (CRA) and savings from social housing management
rationalisation.
Stock transfer has provided a major route to more sustainable and
effective housing provision in a range of jurisdictions, notably in the UK
where different models have been deployed within the devolved regions.
General outcomes have included improved housing management,
delivery of social regeneration, employment, educational and health
initiatives with higher levels of tenant satisfaction5.
5
Year 6: The Socio-Economic Impact of the Welsh HA and Community Mutual Sector, Wales Economic
Research Unit, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University 2013, Pawson et al (2009), The Impacts of Housing
Stock Transfer in Urban Britain, JRF.
Compass Housing Services 14 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015THE INITIATIVE’S MULTIPLE PATHWAYS ARE
DESIGNED TO LINK AND IMPROVE ASSET
MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT:
Asset Renewal Pathway with a comprehensive
maintenance program, the development of new stock for
older tenants currently living in underutilised stock, and the
redevelopment of the vacated properties;
Pathway to Successful Adulthood through the
development of a Youth Foyer to provide structured
accommodation, employment, education and living skill
development for young homeless people;
Better Financing Pathway providing finance through a
combination of commercial debt and social impact and
housing bonds. The redesign of the Community Housing
Leasing Program (CHLP) will be included;
Tenant Development Pathway will resource education
and employment supports via social enterprises (e.g. one
providing property maintenance and one for NDIS client
support services ), underpinned by an incentivised social
housing rental model;
Service Development and Co-ordination Pathway will
be built around a Newcastle NDIS provider network and a
NDIS housing advisory service; and
Pathway to the Private Market including both Private
Rental Headlease Program and the development of shared/
mixed equity ownership models.
Compass Housing Services 15 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015COMPASS INITIATIVES
COMPASS HAS A NUMBER OF INITIATIVES UNDER WAY OR IN DEVELOPMENT,
OFTEN UNDERTAKEN IN BROADER COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS.
THE COMPASS GROW PROJECT
The Compass GROW Program takes a holistic approach to community
development programs. Compass assists our clients to achieve
self-reliance, contribute to solutions and participate in outcomes that
affect them as individuals and ensure they are actively participating as
members of the community.
The GROW program incorporates community development and
environmental aspirations, aiming to enrich the lives of tenants
through enhancing their personal, social, environmental and economic
sustainability.
THE GROW PROGRAM ALSO INCREASES TENANTS’ AWARENESS
OF AND PARTICIPATION IN:
Health & nutrition programs;
Sustainable living practices;
and
Esteem and well-being
programs; Factors affecting
security of tenure.
Community contribution;
economic participation; and
generational advancement;
The program focuses on the principles of social inclusion and
environmental sustainability.
Compass Housing Services 16 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015THE COMPASS GROW A STAR PROGRAM
THE COMPASS GROW A STAR PROGRAM WAS INITIALLY A SPORT-BASED
PROGRAM THAT WAS THEN FURTHER DEVELOPED TO HELP YOUNG
PEOPLE ACHIEVE THEIR DREAMS AND ASPIRATIONS, WHILE STRIVING
TO BE THE BEST THEY COULD.
The program has evolved so that it is more holistic and seeks to give
opportunities to young people to pursue any field including, but not
limited to: sport, education, arts, dance, music and employment.
An intended outcome of the GROW a Star program is to interrupt the
endemic cycle of family unemployment, limited education and poverty
by giving young people the opportunity and support to break free.
Over the period of the program’s operation, an unintended consequence
has emerged, that is, in some cases connectedness and confidence has
increased for parents/carers too.
Evidence clearly demonstrates that education and employment
interrupts the cycle of systemic and entrenched poverty. This evidence
propels the GROW a Star program as it provides practical supports to
children and young people, making a significant difference in their lives
and future opportunities.
Compass Housing Services 17 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015THE NEWCASTLE FOYER PROJ ECT
THE FOYER PROJECT FOR HOMELESS
YOUNG PEOPLE COMBINES ACCOMMODATION
WITH EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION AND TRAINING
SUPPORT IN THE HUNTER REGION, NSW
AND IS IN THE PLANNING STAGES.
THE CORE ELEMENTS OF THIS APPROACH WILL BE:
Strength to strength: Identifying and building on
the strengths of the young people participating in
the program to help overcome any barriers.
Joined up service delivery: Building on existing
services in the local area to provide a holistic
service that connects housing, education, health
and welfare.
THE DEEP PLACE APPROACH
Focus on diversity: Providing for and tailoring
to the diversity of needs for each individual as TO SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES
well as catering to the diversity of young people
experiencing homelessness – from cultural
diversity, to varying abilities, singles, couples and
young parents. FROM MAY 2015, COMPASS WILL BE DEVELOPING
THIS INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC REGENERATION.
The community partners involved in the progressing
this business case are Hunter TAFE NSW, Life
Without Barriers, Compass Housing, Hunter Youth Developed in Wales, UK, to tackle the child poverty
2020, and Rotary Charlestown. rate of 33%, the program combines a ‘total place’
approach to public services with an economic
These key elements are central to the Foyer
development strategy based on the ‘foundational
model. Foyers combine stable accommodation
economy’ model of the Manchester Business
with employment, education and training support,
School.
providing homeless young people with the
necessary skills to forge independent sustainable lives. It seeks to reconnect long-term, economically
inactive communities with newly created job
The aim of this program is to help young people
opportunities developed in partnership with local
who are homeless or at risk of homelessness
anchor organisations.
to develop the skills they need to lead happy,
independent and productive lives. By combining social procurement strategies with
targeted recruitment and training of social housing
tenants, it tackles the ‘cause of the causes of
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES INCLUDE:
poverty’ i.e. the low level of economic activity in
Reduce the number of young people cycling social housing communities.
through the housing system.
It also encourages more effective collaboration
Increase the number of young people completing between public, private and third sector
education qualifications. organisations and service providers by creating
a ‘coalition for change’ that focuses on improved
Increase the number of young people employment, health and educational outcomes for
productively employed. marginalised communities.
Compass Housing Services 18 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015COM PASS RESPONSE
TO THE THREE PILLARS
1 A SOCIAL HOUSING SYSTEM THAT
PROVIDES OPPORTUNITY AND
2
PATHWAYS FOR CLIENT INDEPENDENCE
A SOCIAL HOUSING SYSTEM THAT IS FAIR
3 A SOCIAL HOUSING SYSTEM THAT
IS SUSTAINABLE
Compass Housing Services 19 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015PILLAR 1:
A SOCIAL HOUSING Compass, in describing the Third Wave of Social Housing, asserts
that there should be both support and incentives (social and economic)
SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES for people to move towards independence. This may include a move
OPPORTUNITY AND from social housing tenancy to subsidised, private rental.
PATHWAYS FOR CLIENT Both tenure and rent setting models will need to be adapted to support
INDEPENDENCE such a pathway approach. Those who are unable to work may still be
encouraged to make a contribution (for both their own benefit and that
of the broader community) through formal and informal volunteer roles.
Compass already has well developed practice and strategies to support
pathways to better education, better employment and ultimately
private housing.
PILLAR 1
A social housing system that provides opportunity and pathways for client independence.
AREA FOCUS INITIATIVE PROPOSED BY COMPASS
Establish and deploy education and employment
plans for tenants who can work (including with
limitations). Partner with Job Network providers
and Registered Training Organisations.
Establish social enterprises e.g. Compass’s
Connect with Handy Manny on Central Coast which is planning
employment. to engage suitable skilled up tenants to complete
minor repairs and lawn mowing.
Create employment opportunities in the local
economy through social procurement practices
and targeted recruitment and training of tenants
Employment, education with capacity to work.
and other community
engagement products
and services: Connect with Develop a Youth Foyer to provide structured
education and accommodation, employment, education and living
training. skills development for young homeless.
Employ appropriate tenants as NDIS support
workers – employ jobs specialist – partner with
other employment providers.
Connect with
community Presently high outcome with tenants ‘giving back’
engagements. via volunteering.
Has been involved in tenant education outcomes –
more of this.
TABLE CONTINUES OVER PAGE
Compass Housing Services 20 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015PILLAR 1 (continued)
AREA FOCUS INITIATIVE PROPOSED BY COMPASS
Strengthen
The FACS delivery staff are to be employed by
partnerships
Compass with remaining FACS staff to concentrate
between CHPs
on audit and QA roles.
and FACS.
Strengthen
partnerships
between Development of the Deep Place, Coalition for
CHPs and Change approach to public service partnership.
government
Strengthen partnerships agencies.
with other government
agencies, non-government
organisations and the Strengthen
private sector: partnerships Initiate discussions about the development of
with the private social housing bonds with private investors.
sector.
Develop more formal arrangements with specific
Strengthen services providers to enable a clearer pathway
partnerships of support to tenants (e.g. as utilised in The Way
with the Not for Home Program).
Profit sector. Develop housing-led access routes to ‘difficult to
reach’ sections of the community.
Develop Private Rental Headlease Program.
Administer the Rental Bond Loan Program.
More actively support Transition Administer the Mortgage Default Prevention
clients to transition out of out of social Program.
social housing: housing.
Promote shared/mixed equity ownership models
that are based on community accepted, fair
distributive principles.
Compass Housing Services 21 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015PILLAR 2:
A SOCIAL HOUSING SYSTEM THAT IS FAIR
Compass is committed to system that is fair, albeit within a range of housing
and service settings, and that accommodates a diverse range of people.
PILLAR 2
Initiatives Proposed by Compass - A social housing system that is fair.
AREA FOCUS INITIATIVE PROPOSED BY COMPASS
Develop a clear and Definition of Workgroup, multi-disciplined, broad based etc.
measurable definition of the safety net to determine.
the safety net required to to support Develop a segmented housing support model
support vulnerable people vulnerable that meets the clients’ needs in ways appropriate
in social housing: people. to their abilities and capacity.
Tenant Relations Support Officers undertake
Understanding regular visits and assessments, including referrals
Improve our understanding of clients’ to appropriate services as required.
of clients’ needs in order to needs.
tailor programs and services, Develop evidence-based interventions.
and improve wrap around
support to tenants:
Wrap around
Develop the Newcastle NDIS Partnership.
support.
Prioritisation. Employability and neighbourhood resilience.
Replace social housing waiting list with a housing
Waiting list
assistance approach that extends beyond social
management.
Undertake further work housing.
on applicant eligibility and
prioritisation, waiting list
management, dwelling Develop a range of support responses ranging
Dwelling
allocation and rent practice: from long-term social housing tenure to
allocation.
transitionary tenures and private sector transition.
Discounted market based rental linked to people’s
Rent practice.
choices and development pathways.
Explore options to provide Better prepare
greater tenant choices as a tenants for the Provide housing assistance aimed at supporting
way to better prepare tenants private rental those who can exit into the private market.
for the private rental market: market.
Compass Housing Services 22 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015PILLAR 3:
A SOCIAL HOUSING Housing of the most vulnerable is a central role for the social housing
system. As such, social housing is often part of a broader assistance program
SYSTEM THAT
structured to discharge the Government’s responsibility (in some cases
IS SUSTAINABLE statutory) to provide those most in need. In this context, sustainability is best
defined as a search for the most efficient use of resources rather than one
that can be abandoned if revenues are not sufficient. Sustainability can be
defined in financial, social and political terms. The housing system must be
seen as “fair” by the broader population if it is to be truly sustainable.
One of the most significant and promising changes to the social housing
system in the last decade has been the rapid development to scale of
Community Housing Providers (CHPs) and Housing Associations (HAs). These
rapidly growing not for profits, of which Compass is the biggest, are evolving
to be much stronger and more private sector-like in their approach, while
moderating the pursuit of profit with the effectiveness of human services
delivery. These agencies provide a platform for housing assistance to be
provided at the community level and articulated more easily into other social
and economic initiatives.
The Third Wave of Social Housing represents significant changes to the
existing system with many of these initiatives reflected in the Compass
Pathways Initiative, which is framed around the creation of a Newcastle
Autonomous Social Housing Region.
PILLAR 3
Initiatives Proposed by Compass – A social housing system that is sustainable.
AREA FOCUS INITIATIVE PROPOSED BY COMPASS
Redevelopment of the vacated properties.
Fund the NSW Develop Social Housing Bonds.
social housing
system within Develop Social Impact Bonds.
Explore how best to fund
the existing
the NSW social housing Develop commercial debt facilities.
envelope.
system, within the
existing envelope, while Introduce mixed/shared equity schemes.
ensuring transparency and
accountability:
Ensuring
transparency
Publish housing targets and progress.
and
accountability.
TABLE CONTINUES OVER PAGE
Compass Housing Services 23 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015PILLAR 3 (continued)
AREA FOCUS INITIATIVE PROPOSED BY COMPASS
Stock Develop and deploy a comprehensive
maintenance. maintenance program.
Plan for a fully sustainable The development of new stock to decant older
Suitable for
system which, at a minimum, tenants in underutilised stock.
the needs of
has stock that is maintained
tenants. Establish a NDIS housing advisory service.
and suitable for the needs
of tenants:
Consider environmental sustainability as part of
Environmental
the procurement strategies used in both
sustainability.
construction and maintenance functions.
Different mix
Consider the impact on the
of government,
sustainability of the system
non-
that might result from a Redesign of the Community Housing Leasing
government
different mix of government, Program (CHLP).
and private
non-government and private
sector
sector participants:
participants.
Mix and
Consider the mix and modes
modes of Development of a segmented service with a range
of social housing products
social housing of products reflecting he demographic complexity
and services required to assist
products and of those seeking social housing support.
those in need:
services.
Increase
the role of
Increase the role of CHPs in
CHPs in the Create the Newcastle Autonomous Social
the management of tenants
management Housing Region.
and dwellings.
of tenants and
dwellings.
Compass Housing Services 24 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015ABOUT COMPASS
Compass Housing Services (“Compass”) is Australia’s largest community
housing group and operates out of NSW with significant operations in
Queensland. Compass employs 95 staff in the head office, with nine
branch facilities and five outreach locations.
Compass is a Tier 1 accredited housing provider, currently managing
3,500 properties housing 5,700 tenants in NSW, as well as another 850
properties in Queensland. From June 2015, it will manage another 4,700
dwellings in Logan City.
Compass is leading the development of a national secular social housing
group of organisations6 that will bring together a varied set of agencies
that are deeply embedded in their communities and service a diverse
range of needs.
Compass recent won the management rights of the Logan Renewal
Initiative with 4,700 dwellings.
5
Vision 2020, a vision for an integrated secular-based housing and other human services national brand:
Concept Paper (Compass Housing)
Compass Housing Services 25 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015PREVIOUSLY COMPASS HAS SECURED : AWARD S :
Affordable Housing Innovations Fund 2008: 2008 Excellence Award Community Housing -
$600,000 in capital funding High commendation: Service to tenants
Debt Equity Scheme (2008): 2008 Excellence Award Community Housing -
$1.3m in capital funding Award for Excellence: Annual Reporting
Building Better Cities (2208): $660,000 in capital 2008 Excellence Award Community Housing
funding from Newcastle Council - High Commendation: Overall excellence in
community housing
Social Housing Growth Fund Round 1 (2009):
Awarded $17m in capital funding 2008 Excellence: Award Community Housing -
High Commendation: Tenant participation
Social Housing Growth Fund Round 2 (2009):
Awarded $5m in capital funding 2009 Bronze partner status in NSW Sustainability
Advantage program
NRAS Round 2 (2009): $5.6m.
2010 Hunter Business Chamber Award for
Growth Provider Status NSW (2010): Environmental Sustainability
1,000 properties.
2010 Excellence Award Community Housing -
NRAS Round 4 (2010): $9.6m. Award for Excellence Service to tenants
Office of Environment & Heritage 2011 Silver partner status in NSW Sustainability
and Department of Training (2010): Advantage program
$60,000 for energy efficiency training.
2011 Hunter Business Chamber Award for
Asset Ownership 2010: $19.8m in stock. Environmental Sustainability
Nation Building (2010): $90.3m. 2012 Finalist Hunter Business Chamber Award
Now about $140m more. for Customer Service
SAIF (2012): $7.4 to deliver 20 disability dwellings. 2012 Finalist Hunter Business Chamber Award
for Innovation to Environmental Sustainability
NRAS 5 (2013); $3.9m
2012 Finalist Upper Hunter Business Chamber
2012 Australian Housing Institute NSW Leading
Practice Award
2013 NSW Federation of Housing Associations
Excellence in Green Initiatives
2013 NSW Federation of Housing Associations
Overall Excellence in Community Housing
COMPASS HAS SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL CAPACITY,
CURRENTLY MANAGING ASSETS VALUED AT MORE THAN
$1 BILLION AND WITH REVENUE OF $35M P.A.
It has with net assets of $338m with debts of $25m
Led by an experienced Executive, Compass has a
skilled team of people dedicated to delivering better
social housing outcomes across two states.
Compass Housing Services 26 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015CONCLUSION
COMPASS, AUSTRALIA’S LARGEST COMMUNITY HOUSING
PROVIDER, WELCOMES THE NSW GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO
A VIBRANT AND EVOLVING SOCIAL HOUSING SYSTEM THAT IS A SAFETY
NET FOR VULNERABLE PEOPLE, PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES AND
PATHWAYS TO CLIENT INDEPENDENCE, AND IS FAIR AND SUSTAINABLE.
Compass recognises the changing role of social housing within a broader
housing assistance framework and is proposing a new paradigm, the
“Third Wave of Social Housing” that will provide a diverse and integrated
housing assistance response to different segments of the community,
depending on the individual’s need and capacity.
Specifically, Compass proposes the establishment of a Newcastle
Autonomous Social Housing Region Initiative to begin to deploy this
new approach.
Compass Housing Services 27 Social Housing in NSW Discussion Paper | February 2015You can also read
