Evolve Housing Newsletter, June 2024

WIN Movie Tickets

Family entertainment during the July School Holidays. Enter the Find-a-Word Competition for a chance to win 2 x $100 Hoyts gift cards. See page 7

IN THIS ISSUE

Update from your RAG

Special project coming up

Page 2

Women’s Coffee Club

Join us for coffee!

Page 3

Money Saving Tips

Need help saving money?

Page 4

Safeguard your home from mould

How to prevent mould

Page 5

School Holiday IMAGINATES

Keep the kids entertained these school holidays.

Page 6

Tenant Portal Roadshow

Learn the ins and outs of the Tenant Portal.

Page 7

School Student Broadband Initiative

Are you eligible?

Page 8

SCHOOL HOLIDAY Events see page 6

THRIVING COMMUNITIES FOR ALL PEOPLE

In a heartfelt gesture of reconciliation, Evolve Housing staff and tenants gathered with special guests at the Parramatta office to observe Sorry Day 2024. The event provided a solemn opportunity to reflect on the generational impacts of the Stolen Generations, fostering a deeper understanding and commitment to healing within the community. READ MORE ON PAGE 3.

RAG Chat

The RAG is almost six months into their new two-year term and have been busy providing valuable feedback to Evolve Housing on matters that are important to residents.

The RAG has also welcomed various Evolve Housing departments to their meetings including hearing from the Property Services team who provided information on how they maintain properties. We also heard from the Marketing team who gathered feedback from the group on the existing website and suggestions for improvement so that residents can better navigate and easily find information.

Lastly, the RAG members are working hard on a special project which will provide handy information for residents on where they can find much needed support. The members understand and empathise with the current cost of living pressures and are keen to share information with you that might help connect you with services in your area. The first edition of this project will be related to food, stay tuned for the first release in our next newsletter!

Acknowledgement of Country

Evolve Housing acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land where we deliver our housing services. We acknowledge and pay our respects to all Elders past, present and future. We welcome all First Nations Peoples to our services, as we walk together towards reconciliation.

NSW COMMUNITY HOUSING TENANT NETWORK

The RAG members want to make you aware of a state level representative body known as the Tenant Network which is managed by Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA), who is the peak body for NSW Community Housing.

The NSW Community Housing Tenant Network is a group of volunteers from Community Housing providers and not-for-profit organisations around NSW and their aim is to give tenants a voice on a national level.

What the Tenant Network does is provide up-to-date news and information on matters affecting Community Housing tenants in NSW. Evolve Housing has had a representative on the Tenant Network for nearly 20 years and one of our RAG members is currently on the Network.

TENANT PORTAL

We have recently launched our Tenant Portal, which aims to make your interactions with Evolve Housing easier and more convenient.

You would have received an email and letter in the mail to set-up your account. If you have not yet received an email and letter to set up your account, please contact us on 1800 693 865 and someone will be able to assist you. To log into your tenant portal, scan here:

Celebrating National Sorry Day at Evolve Housing

In the spirit of reconciliation, Evolve Housing staff and tenants were joined by special guests to reflect on the generational impacts on the Stolen Generations as part of Sorry Day 2024 at the Evolve Housing Parramatta office.

This event is part of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) commitment to reflect, to build awareness and to show our respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

We were honoured to be joined by Thelmerie Rudd, an educator and Dharug women, who Welcomed us to Dharug Country, and offered stories of her lived experience and her family’s experience of the impacts of forced removal and connection to culture.

We shared a minute of silence to reflect on the implications of forced removal for generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Les Daniels, a Koomurri performer who sang in language,

Women’s Coffee Club

and shared a smoking ceremony with everyone, and Todd Dorward, a Dharug man who is also an Evolve Housing resident and designer of the artwork on our Evolve Reconciliation shirts, and one of our Reconciliation advisors, played didgeridoo and shared the benefits of connecting to country.

After the formal proceedings, and wearing our Evolve Housing Reconciliation shirts, we all shared kangaroo sausages and salads to share our reflections and connect with each other.

To read our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, scan here:

Women’s Coffee Club is a space for women to come together and build social connections. Join us for a delicious lunch at our next catch up on Wednesday 31st July 2024 from 10am–2pm at Chester Hill Community Hall, Red Hall (25 Chester Hill Road, Chester Hill). For more information, please contact our Community Development Officer on 0412 806 461 or via email community@evolvehousing.com.au

RAMSES

EXHIBITION SENIORS WEEK

During Seniors Week, we had 17 of our residents attend the Ramses II exhibition at the Australian Museum.

The theme for Seniors Week was “Reach Beyond” and that’s exactly what our residents did as they discovered more than 180 incredible ancient Egyptian treasures! Apart from enjoying the amazing exhibition, they made some new connections with fellow residents and staff from Evolve Housing.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY IMAGINATES

Evolve Housing welcomed more than 60 excited children and their parents in April to our fun-filled school holiday program.

The first week of the school holidays we visited Kicks Bowling at Parramatta Leagues Club — bowling to arcade games and the adrenalin rush XD ride. The second week we got artsy and created macrame monsters, built a mini-Lego city and made badges to take home!

Our Imaginate school holiday activities and other resident engagement activities can be found on the Evolve Housing website under What’s on — Evolve Housing.

If you have any suggestions for activities for future Imaginate programs, please call the Community Engagement team on 0412 806 461 or email community@evolve.housing.com.au

Money Minded

If you’re struggling to pay down your credit card debt, find it tough to stretch your income to cover all expenses, want to buy a car or plan for a holiday, these workshops will help you manage your money. These money management workshops will help you create a budget, reduce your debt and start saving.

Workshop 1 Parramatta

Date: Wednesday 24th July 2024

Time: 10am–12pm

Location: Yellamundie room, Evolve Housing office, 9 Argyle Street, Parramatta 2150

Workshop 2 Bankstown

Date: Wednesday 11th September 2024

Time: 10am–12pm

Location: Communal room, 42–44 Leonard Street, Bankstown 2200

Safeguard your home from mould this winter!

Winter has well and truly set in and there are many different things that could lead to mould in your home such as cooler temperatures, heavy rainfall, and even heaters. Safeguard your home with some of our mould prevention tips

What is mould?

Mould is a form of fungus and is spread primarily by airborne spores that will develop and grow on almost any surface providing the following conditions are present:

• A relevant indoor humidity of 80% or higher

• Moisture, usually from condensation. Mould can develop in the absence of condensation, but its growth is accelerated by the presence of moisture

• A nutrient. Research shows that certain ingredients in most paints, household dust, and cooking fumes all provide excellent food for mould

Sooty mould, the most common type, leaves surfaces with a brown or black stain and usually occurs on the walls and ceilings of bathrooms, bedrooms and in cupboards. Untreated, this mould will spread to other rooms in the house. Green furry mould grows on organic or organic-bearing surfaces, such as shoes or clothes.

Condensation and mould

The winter season brings with it condensation and mould growth problems in houses, units, townhouses and villa homes. Condensation and mould can occur in any type of home construction, including weatherboard, brick veneer, solid brick, and brick veneer.

Condensation and its causes

When highly humidified air comes in contact with any cold surface such as a wall or ceiling, it chills and water vapour is extracted from the air, remaining as condensation on the cold surface. High humidity has an accumulative effect on absorbent materials such as clothing hanging in the cupboard or bedclothes, making them damp. Condensation will also cause rust on metal surfaces such as spring wire mattresses.

How to prevent condensation

Condensation cannot occur if humid, moist air is removed and replaced by dry air. This can be achieved very simply through better ventilation in your home.

Tips to improve ventilation in your home:

• Open windows and doors when weather permits to improve cross ventilation

• Room ventilators and exhaust fans should be kept clean. Normal house fluff can block or partly block wall or ceiling ventilators and exhaust fans and impede proper ventilation of the property

• Turn on exhaust fans, particularly when bathing, showering, cooking, doing laundry and drying clothes

Warm moist air

Warm air will not cause condensation on a cold surface, but warm moist air will. Warm moist air can be created by:

• steam from cooking

• washing dishes or clothes

• clothes dryers that are not externally vented

• steam from bathrooms

• drying damp clothes inside

How to reduce mould in the property?

Promote Air Circulation

• Open doors and windows, especially in bathrooms and during cool weather.

• Ensure proper ventilation in all rooms.

Maintain Dryness

• Keep bathroom surfaces, showers, curtains, and basins dry.

• Wipe away moisture on windows and walls regularly.

• Allow sunlight into the property, particularly in damp areas.

Manage Moisture Sources

• Dry damp clothes, shoes, and fabrics promptly.

• Leave wardrobe doors open for air circulation.

• Clean evaporation trays in appliances frequently.

Proper Cleaning

• Clean bathrooms and the property regularly.

• Vacuum sufaces using a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner.

• Open windows when running evaporative air conditioning systems.

UPCOMING IMAGINATE PROGRAMS

Join us for some fun-filled activities for children and young people during the July 2024 school holidays! We will be holding the Great Outdoors and Dragon Tao. There will be food provided and prizes to be won! Keep an eye out via the Evolve Housing What’s On page bit.ly/eh-whatson

STANWELL PARK EVENT

Event: Imaginate the Great Outdoors

Activity: An outdoor adventure exploring nature at Stanwell Park, Beach Reserve

Date: Thursday 11th July 2024

Time: 8.30am–4.30pm

Location: Stanwell Park, Beach Reserve

Transport: A bus will pick up tenants from Yagoona Community Centre, 176D Cooper Road, Yagoona at 8.30am and return by 4.30pm.

the Great OutdoorS Dragon Tao

Alternatively, you can make your own way there and meet us at Stanwell Tops for a start time of 10am.

FREE events run EXCLUSIVELY for children & parents of EVOLVE HOUSING

YAGOONA EVENT

Event: Imaginate Dragon Tao

Activity: Empowering kids with Kung Fu confidence and life skills

Date: Thursday 18th July 2024

Time: 10am–2pm

Location: Yagoona Community Centre, 176D Cooper Road, Yagoona.

WIN Movie Tickets

To keep the family entertained during the July school holidays we will be holding a find-a-word competition with 2 x $100 Hoyts gift cards as the prize!

THE PRIZE:

We have 2 prizes to give away. Each winner will receive a $100 Hoyts gift card.

HOW TO ENTER:

Locate the listed words in the grid that are horizontally, vertically and diagonally placed, then take a photo of the completed find-a-word and send the photo by SMS to the Community Engagement team on 0412 806 461. Use the subject line “Movie Tickets”. Please include your full name, Evolve Housing address and phone number. All correct entries will go into the running to win, then we will draw two winners randomly.

Please note you must be an Evolve Housing resident to enter. Entries close midday Monday 8th July 2024, and we will contact the winners directly.

Tenant Portal Roadshows near you

We will be hosting Tenant Portal Roadshows for residents to better understand how to use the new online platform. In these sessions we will teach you how to sign into your account, check your rent, submit maintenance requests and more! We will be hosting the workshops across three locations on the following dates. To register your attendance please call us on 0421 514 427. Please bring along your own devices so we can help you set them up!

2024

WORKSHOP SCHEDULE

Parramatta Workshop 1: When? Tuesday 16 July from 10am–1pm Where? Evolve Housing head office

Bankstown Workshop 1: When? Thursday, 18 July from 10am–1pm Where? Yagoona Community Centre

Blacktown Workshop: When? Thursday, 25 July from 10am–2pm Where? Blacktown Seniors Citizens Centre

Parramatta Workshop 2: When? Wednesday 17 July from 3:30pm–6:30pm Where? Evolve Housing head office

Bankstown Workshop 2: When? Tuesday, 23 July from 3:30pm–6:30pm

Where? Bankstown Senior Citizens’ Centre

RAG spotlight

Financial Assistance grants

Did you know we provide financial assistance grants to our residents?

KEY grants

Supports adults with educational expenses who are looking to or are currently completing tertiary education such as TAFE or university.

Highschool Help

Supports high school students with educational expenses that attend high school.

GO grants

Supports children with expenses related to physical or cultural activities.

For more information, please contact our Community Development Officer by emailing community@evolvehousing.com.au

Student School Broadband Initiative

Do you have a school aged child and have no internet access at home?

SSBI has been extended until 31st December 2025!

To be eligible, a family must:

• Have a child living at home that is enrolled in an Australian school.

• Have no active broadband service over the NBN network.

• Live in a premise where they can access a standard NBN service.

• Not have had an active NBN service during the previous 14 days.

If you’re an Evolve Housing tenant & you meet the eligibility criteria, please complete the form by scanning the QR code: Please note previous applicants need not reapply.

Ask Izzy

Ask Izzy is an online website that connects people in need with housing, a meal, money help, health and wellbeing services, family violence support, counselling and much more. www.askizzy.org.au

CHANGES IN THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM

A familiar face in our Community Engagement team Terina, our Community Development Officer will be on leave for six months from June 2024.

You may have come across Terina at our community programs or events such as the Annual Resident Christmas party, Community roadshows or the Women’s Coffee Club. As a part of her role, Terina supports tenants in applying for our financial assistance grants (KEY, GO, Highschool Help and Primary School Help) We will have another staff member fill this role while Terina is on leave—watch this space! To make contact with our Community Engagement team for programs, events or financial assistance grants please email: community@evolvehousing.com.au

evolvehousing.com.au/whats-on or by calling 1800 myevolve (1800 693 865) @evolvehousing evolvehousing