Our Reconciliation Action Plan

Why our organisation has developed a RAP

Evolve Housing believes in everyone’s right to a home – somewhere to be safe, secure and part of a community. We strive to build safe inclusive communities for all our residents and to provide programs and services to help people to create better futures for themselves and their families. We believe in inclusion and a culture where we embrace and celebrate diversity. Our purpose is to deliver housing solutions and services that empower people on their journey to greater independence.

We acknowledge, celebrate and respect that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make up one of the strongest, most resilient surviving cultures in the world. Yet as a result of the history of dispossession and the break-up of families and communities, Aboriginal people are over-represented in statistics for people experiencing homelessness, housing stress and poor outcomes in health, education and employment.

We recognise that the ongoing effects of dispossession and social dislocation experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are associated with higher rates of complex needs and client vulnerabilities. These needs can impact on some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents’ capacity to access and maintain a tenancy. In addition, cultural differences with respect to issues such as mobility or kinship responsibilities may require more flexible housing practices and policies.

Evolve Housing operates in areas including Western Sydney (Parramatta, Penrith and Blacktown), which is home to one of the largest urban Indigenous populations in Australia. This area encompasses lands with rich histories of Aboriginal culture and sites of significant Aboriginal political and cultural heritage. Approximately 4% of our residents identify as

What is a RAP?

A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a document that includes practical actions that drive an organisation’s contribution to reconciliation, both internally and in the communities with which it operates. Reconciliation Australia’s RAP Framework provides organisations with a structured approach to advance reconciliation.

There are four types of RAP that an organisation can develop — Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate. Each type of RAP is designed to suit an organisation at different stages of their reconciliation journey.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Evolve Housing believes that to deliver quality housing and support services to our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents, the organisation and its staff must develop a strong understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and histories. A shared understanding and cultural awareness supports stronger relationships, builds trust and drives higher levels of cultural competency when designing and delivering policies and services. Working together, we have an opportunity to learn from one another, address inequity in access to housing, and create thriving communities.

As an organisation, we recognise we have the opportunity and responsibility within our sphere of influence to make a positive contribution towards reconciliation.

Development of the RAP

Evolve Housing believes that the RAP will provide a framework by which we can:

• Continue to improve and increase our engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and stakeholders.

• Strengthen our understanding and cultural competency,

• Build on par tnerships to deliver better housing outcomes and support services,

• Strengthen communities, and

• Empower our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents.

Who champions our RAP?

Our RAP is championed by the Board and the CEO. An internal working group comprising key members of the Group Executive Team and Aboriginal employees has assisted in its development.

The RAP was informed by a gap assessment undertaken in 2017–18 against the seven Aboriginal Cultural Competency Standards² (developed specifically for the community housing sector). It was also informed by interviews with a range of senior staff (who had completed cultural competency training) to identify areas in which they felt we had gaps or where we could improve. Our internal working group, with Aboriginal employees, next considered how we might approach the development of a RAP and the activities that we might undertake. The RAP includes commitments to further consultation with a wide range of Aboriginal stakeholders and

2. The Aboriginal Competency Standards — A self -assessment process for Community Housing Providers (2016) developed by the NSW Federation of Housing Associations, NSW Department of Family and Community Services and Aboriginal Housing Office as part of the Housing for Aboriginal People Strategy.

We provide high quality housing developments, build strong communities, and provide support programs to empower residents to reach their potential and achieve greater independence.

Our portfolio consists of approximately 3,500 social and affordable housing properties that provide homes for about 7,500 residents living in 38 local government areas across Metropolitan Sydney, the Hunter region, NSW Central Coast and the mid-north Coast.

We support a further 1,300 properties through a joint venture in Tasmania with Centacare Evolve Housing. Our Head Office is based in Parramatta and we have a second office at Penrith and a growing presence in the Hunter Region in Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. We employ 112 staff, of whom 4% identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

We provide homes for residents from a wide range of culturally diverse backgrounds including First Nations People and new arrivals from all over the world.

Evolve Housing provides all its residents with the opportunity to develop a Personal Support Plan. Developed jointly with the resident, these may identify support residents require with health, family and childcare; drug and alcohol services; financial management; and ways to access training and employment. Evolve Housing provides a wide range