Humelife
HUME IN BLOOM
Angelo Avenue Liverpool named Best Community Garden
Free guide inside STAY SAFE
RECIPES & PUZZLES
Welcome to our Autumn issue
FROM HUME’S CEO BRAD BRAITHWAITE
I hope you enjoy reading this magazine as much as I do. I particularly love seeing Hume customers participating in all the great community events we offer.
I recently attended Hume Social and Hume in Bloom covered in this issue. Having the opportunity to meet you and talk about what matters most is the absolute highlight of my job as Hume’s Chief Executive Officer. I also like that Humelife provides resources, support information and tips designed to help you keep your tenancy secure and achieve your goals.
We all have had a few sleepless nights due to the recent wild weather that lashed NSW, and I was particularly worried for our customers in Port Stephens who took the brunt of the storm. In all 200 properties were impacted by the wet weather and our repairs line call volumes increased by 100%, to 280 calls per day.
Over 350 additional repairs tickets were raised and at the time we had lost power and services to our Raymond Terrace office.
Our amazing teams stepped up and conducted round the clock safety checks to ensure the well-being of impacted of customers. In the end, we quickly rehomed four households whose homes were damaged into temporary accommodation.
Most importantly we had zero safety incidents, thanks to the vigilance of Hume employee’s and our strict adherence to safety protocols, and to the great co-operation from customers. Thank you all.
Having watched in horror the extraordinary LA wildfires that brought so much destruction to California during their winter has made me really think about how we can better prepare
for adverse weather and fire risks – all year round.
That’s why this issue features a special Safety Lift Out to help you and your household prepare. Your safety is our number one focus.
If you only take notice of one thing in this issue – let it be safety. Please fill in your evacuation plan, talk to your family and neighbours about fire and evacuation safety plans, follow the great advice and be prepared.
Take care,
Brad Braithwaite Chief Executive Officer
Discover a brand-new day with Hume’s refreshed look and new website
We are delighted to share with you a refreshed and vibrant new look for the Hume brand. This issue of Humelife showcases our new look and feel, and we hope you love it!
Hume builds strong communities that provide customers with opportunities to grow, connect and prosper – and we wanted to ensure how we look matches our passion and unwavering commitment to you. While our brand has been re-energized - our mission: ensuring everyone has access to a safe, secure, and welcoming home remains as strong as ever.
We have launched a new Hume website incorporating the brand colour palette and updated logo. Most importantly we’ve designed the website to make it easier for you to get your hands on what matters most – whether it is lodging a home repair, paying a bill, finding an event to attend or simply accessing online forms and information that you need. We have created a website that will make every transaction with Hume easy and stress-free.
Throughout this year you will gradually see more of Hume’s refreshed brand appearing on everything – from building signage and employee name tags to brochures, forms and social media. It’s a brand-new day and we’d love to hear your feedback about what else we can do to improve our services to you. The back cover of Humelife lists how you can submit feedback, complaints and compliments.
MEET THE BOARD
Nathan Rees
NATHAN REES HAS LIVED HIS LIFE IN WESTERN SYDNEY AND HAS 28 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION. AFTER COMPLETING A HORTICULTURE APPRENTICESHIP, HE UNDERTOOK AN HONOURS DEGREE IN ENGLISH LITERATURE AT SYDNEY UNIVERSITY.
Nathan served in the NSW parliament from 2007–15, including as Premier of NSW, Minister for Water, Minister for the Arts, Minister for the Central Coast and Minister for Emergency Services. He was the member for the Western Sydney seat of Toongabbie. He has a passion for Western Sydney and social justice.
Nathan was elected to the Hume Board in February 2017.
Tell us a little about yourself and why you joined the Hume Board?
I was born and grew up in Western Sydney, living in Guildford, North Parramatta, Toongabbie and Wentworthville, up until
4 years ago. I love western Sydney, but after 50 years, it was time to explore other towns! joined Hume after leaving politics and wanted to contribute to making homes a reality for those thousands of Australians that struggle to get a roof over their head. Once a family has a safe roof over their head, the rest of life becomes much easier to navigate.
What are some of Hume’s achievements that have stood out for you?
Standout achievements for Hume over the last few years have been the Hunter transfer and more recently, the new and exciting housing developments we have secured and are now getting started across Western Sydney and the Hunter region.
What else are you working on outside of Hume now?
Outside Hume, I have a day job in Government relations and do consulting work with a range of organisations. also sit on a few other boards. Later this year I’m travelling to Japan to watch the world athletics championships, and walking the Camino Trail in Spain is something I am planning to do. I’m spending my spare time exercising on the bike and running in preparation. No, not for the world championships!
THE NEW AND EXCITING HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS WE HAVE SECURED AND ARE NOW GETTING STARTED ACROSS WESTERN SYDNEY AND THE HUNTER REGION.
You were very active in NSW politics as both a Minister and former Premier. What do you consider among your greatest achievements while in office?
The single best thing we did in government was raising the school leaving age. There wasn’t a single vote in it, but all the research is clear that communities and individuals do better, the more education they have.
We also reformed the freedom of information Act, banned property developer donations to political parties and augmented the powers of the Independent Corruption Commission. removed some unsavory elements from the Government, before they sacked me. Some remain behind bars to this day … while I enjoy the freedom of bushwalking on weekends!
Homelessness is never a life sentence
Rising rates of mental health disorders are linked to the increasing numbers of people experiencing homelessness. It is a vicious cycle, with each issue amplifying the other. Estimates suggest that 45% of adults will experience a mental health episode at some point in their lives. In Australia, one in five people are at risk at any given time, with many facing housing instability and homelessness, particularly during the current housing crisis. The 2024 NSW Street Count revealed a twenty-six per-cent increase in rough sleeping over the past year and the figures are expected to keep rising.
Community housing providers like Hume Housing and homelessness services play a critical role in supporting people at their lowest point and believe solving homelessness is possible. In 2020, the New South Wales Government launched the Together Home program, a groundbreaking “housing first” initiative aimed at providing stable housing and tailored support to people experiencing homelessness, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when self-isolation was critical. The program offered participants two years of affordable housing along with personalized support to foster independence and break the cycle of homelessness.
The program has been extraordinarily successful. By August 2023, 78.4% of participants remained housed within the program, and an additional 7.4% of those who exited were still in stable housing—achieving a remarkable housing retention rate of 85.8%. Since its inception, the program has supported 380 clients across nine local government areas in Sydney, highlighting a broader and more sustainable approach to success beyond traditional housing models. Many participants have maintained stable rental accommodation, pursued education or training, and even entered the workforce.
One of the last participants to benefit from the initiative is Anthony, a Hume customer whose story illustrates the program’s transformative impact.
Anthony is a 30-year-old man with an intellectual disability and severe anxiety disorder. When we meet at a café in Sydney’s southwest, he is on crutches following an anxiety attack that caused him to faint, fracturing his foot in the fall. He is disappointed as he explains he will miss playing in his football team’s grand final on the weekend. Football has been Anthony’s lifelong passion and a rare source of community connection and stability.
Anthony attended a special school as a child to support his learning challenges, however his anxiety worsened in adulthood, straining his family relationships, and leaving him vulnerable. For years, he experienced bouts of homelessness, often couch-surfing or sleeping rough. During this time, he faced violence, substance abuse, and deteriorating health. Though he became a father in his mid-twenties, he struggled to maintain relationships with his child and the child’s mother.
Through the Together Home program, Anthony was able to finally secure stable housing and access the support he needed to successfully transition out of homelessness. Hume was able to help Anthony apply to access the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Funding has meant
he now has access to a social worker and supports, both dramatically improving his quality of life.
Successfully completing the Together Home program this year, Anthony moved into Hume managed temporary accommodation and is now happily living independently. We assist him to manage his rental tenancy, and support workers help him keep his home tidy, and to engage in what matters to him including football, fishing, and importantly reconnecting with his son, whom he had not seen in years.
The program also enabled Anthony to access critical dental work and specialist care for his intellectual and psychosocial needs. Most importantly, Anthony has not returned to homelessness. He receives well-being checks from his Hume Neighbourhood Officer to maintain his tenancy and live safely in his community.
While Together Home was instrumental in helping Anthony achieve independence funding for the program ceased in 2024 leaving a gap in long term programs for vulnerable populations. In September 2024 the Minns Labor Government announced the $100m Homelessness Innovation Fund targeting housing affordability and availability. Unfortunately, Hume were unsuccessful in securing funding in round one but intends to apply again in round two.
As we confront growing demand for our services, we draw on our 30-year history of providing housing solutions for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. These include temporary accommodation, including ‘meanwhile use’ – utilising properties that would otherwise be vacant. We support customers struggling with financial rent arrears assistance (for individuals in private rentals, experiencing housing stress) and rental subsidies through the Start Safely program (for those escaping domestic and family violence). We also provide transitional accommodation with support.
In 2024 we supported 792 households escape from homelessness and into temporary accommodation. We remain steadfast in our commitment to addressing homelessness through innovative housing programs and a network of over 150 partners to provide supported housing solutions that empower individuals and strengthen communities.
Stories like Anthony’s underscore the transformative power of housing-first approaches and highlight the urgent need for continued investment in sustainable, supportive housing solutions and programs. Anthony is living proof that recurrent homelessness is not inevitable and is preventable. Together, we will continue to create pathways to stability, health, and hope You can find out more about Hume and the social impact we deliver in our 2024 Impact Report.
Are you or someone you know at risk of homelessness?
Please contact Hume Community Housing on 1800 004 300 during business hours or Link2home on 1800 152 152 outside business hours.
Wondering why you are receiving SMS alerts from us?
SMS reminders are sent to help you manage your upcoming or overdue rent and bills! Customers tell us they appreciate these timely reminders. We also know that if you are made aware early of outstanding bills you have a better chance of getting on top of your budget and ensuring your tenancy remains secure.
If you are in rent arrears or have an upcoming or overdue water bill, you’ll receive an SMS message reminding you. Please don’t ignore it!
Remember, we are always here to help – if you are experiencing difficulties in paying your bills talk to us as soon as possible so we can work together to develop a payment plan! Our contact details are on the back page of Humelife
Young Stars – we have you covered
If you have teens at home or grandkids and are stuck for ideas – read on! Port Stephens young people aged 12-18 are invited to come on down to The Deck
The Deck is a welcoming youth outreach venue that runs through school term every Wednesday at 1A Kangaroo St from 2pm. We invite teens to drop in, make new friends or simply grab a feed and watch Netflix. The service s run by Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Centre to offer a safe space for young people to hang out, play Xbox, PlayStation, computer games, pool, use the internet, join in art & craft & jewellery making and much more!
Are you young, or young at heart? We have your covered!
NEW RUTHERFORD HUB OPENING MARCH
Hume’s Seniors Hub is a fantastic and much-loved program designed to support customers’ 55 years and over.
The Hubs encourage you to meet new friends and enjoy a range of fun activities including day trips, arts and crafts, gentle exercise classes and morning teas. A popular regular activity is our ‘Games & Create’ sessions designed to give your brain a workout! Challenge yourself with a game of trivia, solve riddles, and tackle puzzles that boost memory, problemsolving, and creativity. It’s a great way to exercise your mind while having fun!
Seniors Hub’s and run by Hume seniors, for Hume seniors. We assist members to get involved through contributing to day-to-day running of their Hub as well as sharing any skills or hobbies they have.
Member activities are $5 per month and are open to all over 55 Hume customers and their friends.
Raymond Terrace Hub
Time: Thursdays from 9:30am
Address: 5 Wahroonga Street, Raymond Terrace
Contact: Maddison at 0491 086 882
East Maitland Hub
Time: Tuesdays from 9:30am
Address: 77 George Street, East Maitland
Contact: Richard at 0491 691 977
Rutherford Hub – Starting March 12
Time: Wednesdays from 9.30am
Address: 9-21 Alexandra Avenue, Rutherford
Contact: Richard at 0491 691 977
Understanding rental programs and your obligations
THIS NEW COLUMN IS DESIGNED TO HELP EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENT HOUSING PROGRAMS HUME OFFERS AND WHY WE ASK CUSTOMERS ACCESSING THESE PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE TIMELY INFORMATION.
What is an Affordable Housing rental property?
Affordable housing is housing available to very low to moderate income households. Affordable rentals usually charge 20% less than market rent to assist households to meet their basic living costs such as food, clothing, transport, energy, medical care and education. It is managed much like a traditional rental, with Hume as your landlord. We help you manage your tenancy, including collecting rent and managing repairs. We also support you to access a range of programs and services designed to help you and your family not only maintain your tenancy but have opportunities to thrive and connect with your community.
Who is Eligible? If you are earning a low to moderate income, are an Australian citizen, do not own property and you meet the household income limits for affordable rentals: you may be eligible.
Why we ask you to supply up to date information
When you live in an Affordable Housing rental property, Hume are required to review your eligibility regularly to continue your tenancy. You can check income limits and eligibility on our website I’m Looking for a Home | Hume Community Housing Association
To live in an affordable housing rental your household income must be within the limits set the NSW and / or Australian Governments.
Before your eligibility assessment is due, Hume will ask you to supply household’s income documents from the last twelve months.
Throughout the year, Hume will also:
• Coordinate with you to organise your 4 property and wellbeing inspections
• Ask you to be available for your annual smoke alarm check
• Ensure that your rent is paid on time and according to your lease
• Ensure that you are not in breach of any other conditions of your lease
Once eligibility is confirmed, you will be offered a 12-month fixed term lease in line with when your next eligibility review is due.
If your ongoing eligibility for Affordable Housing cannot be confirmed, your tenancy may be at risk. It is most important that you:
• Submit all required documents by the due date listed on your notices so your eligibility review can be completed on time
• Not be in breach of the conditions of your current lease
• Ensure that you are available to sign your new lease
• Let us know if there is anything that may prevent your lease from being renewed
Please call us on 1800 004 300 to discuss.
Annual Income Reviews –
Don’t risk losing your home
Some customers are failing to submit income documents on time for their annual income review. Unfortunately, not providing information delays your lease re-signing and can potentially result in NCAT action and could mean losing your tenancy. Now is a challenging time in the rental market to be house hunting so we strongly urge you to act and get your paperwork in to protect your tenancy. Call us if you need help 1800 004 300
Tackling food insecurity and feeding community spirit
HUME DELIVERS MORE THAN A SUITE OF RENTAL HOUSING SOLUTIONS. WE ALSO DESIGN PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT DRIVE SOCIAL IMPACT, ENSURING WE ARE A STRONG COMMUNITY ANCHOR FOR OUR CUSTOMERS AND STAKEHOLDERS.
In October 2024 we launched a fantastic new initiative called Hume Social - a unique community pantry from our Sturt Street development in Western Sydney. The bright welcoming space, complete with kitchen and dining area sits on the ground level of Hume’s multi story social and affordable housing development in Telopea, an area of Sydney with a high proportion of vulnerable, low-income households. We have several hundred Hume customers living in Hume managed developments in the area.
Hume Social is a weekly joint initiative with social enterprises Foodbank Australia and Plate it Forward. Our goal is to provide food and grocery items as well as dishing up a hearty community meal to help customers facing food insecurity due to cost-of-living challenges. At its heart, Hume Social is about building community, forming friendships, and providing a place to seek information and support.
In December we were delighted to invite the NSW Minister for Housing, Rose Jackson and Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis MP to join us to help serve lunch and meet Hume customers who have been accessing the program.
In the two months since Hume Social began, we have served over 300 residents of Telopea free lunches and given away
over 1700kg worth of produce thanks to our generous partners. A pop-up shop also provides free second-hand clothing, toys, and bric-a-brac. The local onsite community garden is also harvested on the day with herbs and vegetables bagged up for customers to take.
Hume Social is off to a roaring start with attendance figures increasing every week. This initiative is possible thanks to a dedicated team including Community Cohesion Officer Ashleigh Hanshaw, backed by an army of Hume volunteers. Customers have commented that alongside grocery items and fresh weekly fruit and vegetables the biggest impact is the welcoming atmosphere, and the new friendships forged.
One young mum told us she was delighted to make friends, noting her children countdown the days to the weekly Hume Social lunch. “We never met other families unless we bumped into one another in the lift. Now we have time to sit and talk and really get to know one another while the kids enjoy the play zone.” Older customers too enjoy the chance to socialise, some who live alone report that they have newfound friends, and enjoy getting to know families with children. All agreed that Hume Social has boosted the sense of community spirit and support amongst neighbours.
Community cook-up with costof-living solutions on the menu
Hume manages a senior’s complex in Cabramatta in Western Sydney that needed a community room transformation. Thanks to a team of volunteer employees, working with customers the underutilized space, which includes a kitchen now has a new lease on life as is already a welcoming and vibrant area for customers and employees and partners to connect, learn, and grow.
The first event to kick off is a six-week partnership program with Oz Harvest, an organisation that saves food from restaurants and supermarkets from ending up in landfill.
Food insecurity, food waste and the cost of living is taking a toll on everyone, and we wanted to look from a practical solution.
With Oz Harvest’s support we are delivering their NEST program (Nutrition Education Skills Training) to Hume’s southwest Sydney metro customers. This program teaches small groups how to prepare very low cost, simple, nutritious and tasty meals with the average cost per serving of $3. All meals are all made using easy to access ingredients, many of which can be grown at home to save on cost.
The program proved popular and filled within two days with eleven customers, two interpreters, two professional carers and two-family supports joining in the session. It was terrific to see customers from different cultures, varying levels of cooking ability and a few first timers who had never previously attended a Hume event.
Everyone had a fantastic time, with even the interpreters and support workers joining in. The food was amazing, and the group enjoyed laughter along with discussions about nutrition and diet.
The program runs every week on Friday for six weeks, at the end of the course customers receive a cookbook, and a Woolworths voucher as well as a completion certificate.
We would like to acknowledge Oz Harvest, who provided a qualified dietitian, delicious ingredients, cooking utensils and tools.
We hope we will be able to offer more programs and suggest customers keep an eye out on social media and our website for updates on future programs.
Are you being scammed?
SCAMS CONTINUE TO RISE AND IT’S NOT ONLY BOGUS SERVICE NSW AND AUSTRALIAN TAX OFFICE OPERATORS WHO ARE OUT TO STEAL YOUR IDENTITY, DOCUMENTS AND MONEY.
Be suspicious of anyone who unexpectedly contacts you on social media. Scammers use these platforms to gain your trust.
Many will have received fake text messages from someone claiming to be their child who has lost their mobile and needs money sent to an account of a friend.
Scammers learn a lot about you from what you share on social media and deceive you into sharing personal information. They use this to guess your passwords, collect date of birth information and other forms of identification.
WARNING SIGNS IT MIGHT BE A SCAM
Stop and think. It could be a scam if the post or message:
• shows or suggest that a celebrity or public figure recommends or promotes a product or service
• comes from someone you’ve only met online or by phone, urgently asking for your money to help pay for a personal emergency
• threatens to share a private image of you unless you pay them money.
Social media scams use common tactics like:
• offering a way to make quick, easy money with little risk or effort
• inviting you to enter a competition or limited time offer
• offering to buy something you’re selling for a high price without seeing it first
• offering items for much lower prices than usual or compared to other sites
• saying they live overseas and can’t meet you in person.
Think you’ve been scammed?
• Act fast to stop any further losses
• Contact your bank or card provider immediately to report the scamandstop any transactions. Change passwords on all your devices and online accounts like banking, email, government and shopping.
• Get help to recover. IDCARE is Australia and New Zealand’s national identity and cyber support service. They can help you make a plan (for free) to limit the damage. Call them on 1800 595 160 or visit their website to find out more.
IF AN OFFER APPEARS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT PROBABLY IS. RESEARCH ANY INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY FULLY BEFORE INVESTING MONEY.
Steps you can take to protect yourself
Make sure the person is who they say they are
• Research profiles to check how long an account has been active, how many friends or followers they have and how much activity they have had online including posts and photos. Lack of history, detail and followers can be a sign of a fake profile.
• Be wary if a job is offered to you without an interview, or discussion about your experience, suitability, and references. Research the recruiter and the business or individual offering the position. Contact the recruitment agency via phone numbers sourced from an independent internet search.
• If an offer appears too good to be true, it probably is. Research any investment opportunity fully before investing money. Visit the government MoneySmart website for advice.
Be careful about what information you share on social media
• Never send money to a person you have only met online
• Never send personal pictures of yourself to someone you have only met online
• Do not enter personal information like your date of birth into social media links – things life free horoscope profiles are collecting your data.
STAY SAFE LIFT OUT GUIDE - KEEP
Hume in Bloom event Sydney
SOME 17 YEARS AGO A TIRED COMMUNAL GARDEN IN LIVERPOOL WAS LITTLE MORE THAN A FEW TREES AND UNINSPIRING PATCH OF GRASS - UNTIL ONE WOMAN MOVED INTO THE HUME COMMUNITY AND LITTLE BY LITTLE TRANSFORMED THE GARDEN INTO AN OASIS.
When our Hume in Bloom competition opened, the residents tending to the Angelo Ave Community Garden were reluctant to enter. Fortunately, with some gentle prompting the group of humble community gardeners agreed to give it a shot. They were recently crowned winners of the Best Community Garden category, and we celebrated the occasion in January onsite with the delighted winning team.
We extend appreciation to the fabulous Botanic Gardens of Sydney community greening team for joining us for this special celebration and sponsoring Hume in Bloom. Thanks also to our sponsor Willowdene Constructions who generously donated a $750 Bunnings Warehouse Australia voucher for this community to make their garden even better.
Once again – we congratulate all who entered Hume in Bloom, our biggest and best participation year ever.
Keep gardening folks and stay tuned for gardening tips and tricks to help you grow food, save money and enjoy the great outdoors in upcoming issues of Humelife
Stay Safe
KEEP THIS GUIDE HANDY TO HELP YOU MANAGE RISKS AND SAFEGUARD YOUR FAMILY.
SEVERE STORMS ACROSS SYDNEY AND HUNTER REGION THIS SUMMER HAVE DELIVERED INTENSE RAIN, HAIL, AND WIND DAMAGE TO HUME PROPERTIES.
IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE PREPARED. THIS LIFT OUT INCLUDES A HANDY GRID TO DRAW UP A SAFETY ESCAPE PLAN FOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD.
STAY INFORMED
Monitor weather updates: Use reliable sources such as the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) for real-time forecasts and warnings.
Know your risk: Understand the specific hazards that affect your area by consulting local council flood maps, fire risk ratings, and historical storm data.
Sign up to government safety alerts and monitor them closely. Ensure your family has a list of emergency numbers, including NSW SES (State Emergency Service) and local emergency contacts.
PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY
Bushfire readiness: Clear gutters, remove flammable materials near the house, and ensure adequate clearance around your property.
Flood preparation: Elevate valuables and electrical appliances. Use sandbags to protect low-lying areas.
Storm proofing: Secure outdoor furniture, trim overhanging branches, and check roof and window integrity.
INSURANCE AND FINANCIAL PLANNING
Do you have contents insurance? If not, consider shopping around to get quotes. Hume holds insurance for flood, fire, and storm damage to the house and land. All contents are to be covered by you.
If you have contents insurance, review any policies to ensure coverage for contents damage adequate. It’s a good idea to document valuable possessions with photos or videos to streamline claims if needed.
GET INVOLVED - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Participate in local preparedness programs: Attend workshops and join community resilience networks. Support vulnerable neighbours: Check on elderly or disabled residents during extreme weather events.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY IS TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE EVENTS
Allow Hume access to your property to test and replace batteries in smoke detectors. Smoke detectors are the number one defence in saving lives. You are twice as likely to die in a home without a working smoke detector.
Create an Emergency Plan. Ensure everyone in your household (including visitors) and pets are taken into consideration. Communicate safe exit points and decide of an agreed safe meeting point. Use the plan on the pack page and share it with everyone in your home. Talk to kids about fire safety and what to do and not do.
Get rid of clutter inside and outside. If exit ways from bedrooms are blocked with furniture, bikes, or boxes escaping a burning home is even more a case of life and death. Outside your home, check for piles of wood or flammable items stored up against your home. Check and clean leaf build up in roof gutters.
Have an emergency kit ready to grab including first aid supplies, medications, and a flashlight. Keep important documents in a waterproof and ideally fireproof container. You will not have time to look for anything in a smoke-filled home and should evacuate immediately.
ALWAYS STAY UP TO DATE IN EMERGENCIES
The NSW government app Hazards Near Me and Live Traffic are invaluable information sources during an emergency.
ABC Radio provides safety alerts for areas impacted by natural disasters. Set your radio to your local ABC station or download the ABC Listen ap. You can also visit ABC Emergency on their website to find incident updates in your local area.
IF YOU ANSWER YES TO ANY OF THE BELOW QUESTIONS, CALL THE NSW SES ON 132 500.
Your request for assistance will be logged by the operations centre who will give you a reference number. Your request will then be forward onto the nearest SES unit for action. Contact the NSW SES | NSW SES
Has a fallen tree blocked access? i.e. front door/driveway/road
Is a tree threatening to fall on your property or driveway?
Is your roof damaged or leaking?
Is there damage to your property that you cannot fix yourself?
STAY SAFE LIFT OUT GUIDE - KEEP HANDY
We remind you that Hume has smoke alarms fitted in every home for your safety.
Please:
Ensure you provide access if Hume asks to test your smoke alarm
If you’re unsure if your smoke alarm is working, contact Hume
Make sure you have an escape plan and that everyone in your home knows the evacuation plan.
If you answered no to the SES questions on the left, contact Hume and we will assess any damage and respond.
Getting
back on your feet - Service NSW
Service NSW regularly provides information on relief packages for households impacted by natural disasters. Follow their social media pages or visit the website to stay up to date to find out if financial assistance is available. http://disasterassistance.service.nsw.gov.au
LITHIUM BATTERY FIRES
Overcharging, misusing, or modifying batteries can cause fires.
• Don’t leave mobile phones or laptops on and always charging
• Never leave them under blankets or pillows
• Charge bikes and scooters outside
• Monitor and turn off chargers once done
• Store batteries in a cool dry place away from other batteries
• Allow the lithium-ion battery to cool after use and before recharging
• Buy batteries from a reputable supplier.
Find out more https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/
BE PREPARED AND STAY UP TO DATE IN EMERGENCIES.
Get emergency updates on Hazards Near Me NSW You can find current information about local emergencies on Hazards Near Me.
The app shows information provided from emergency services on:
• bush fires
• floods
• tsunamis
• advice on what to do to stay safe.
The app also provides other warnings and activities in your area:
• fire danger ratings
• total fire bans
• hazard reduction activities.
The app can send you push notifications when there are new incidents or when information changes. Also this link includes information on when to call the SES and what to do Contact the NSW SES | NSW SES.
If you have an urgent repair,outside of office hours you can call 1800 004 300 and speak with our after hours service. Or contact us via our website or Repairs Email: repairs@humehousing.com.au
Create and keep escape plan
Need
WE OFFER MANY WAYS TO GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR FRIENDLY TEAM AT HUME.
Customer Service Centre on our website
There’s also the Customer Service Centre that features our most frequently asked questions and answers, making it easy for you to find solutions at your convenience. Just click on an article or search for keywords.
Digital Forms
If you want to report a repair, apply for affordable housing, or have a general enquiry, you can use our new digital form on humehousing.com.au/contactus and get a quick response from our Customer Service team.
Facebook Messenger
You can now talk to us through Facebook Messenger on your computer or phone.
You will need to download WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger from the Play or Apple store to message us via your phone. Simply search “Hume Community Housing” and message.
Phone and Email
• Of course, you can continue to get in touch with us on our traditional channels if you prefer:
• General Enquiries: hume@humehousing.com.au OR 1800 004 300
• Repairs and Maintenance: repairs@humehousing.com.au OR (02) 1800 004 300
• Housing Enquiries: housing.options@humehousing.com.au
• Disability Housing Enquiries: SDAenquiries@humehousing.com.au
Hume Housing is proud of our diverse and inclusive communities. Our customers come from over 80 nationalities and speak nearly as many languages. Some will need support to translate information, and we are here to help. We also provide support for customers with any vision and hearing needs.
We work with customers to provide access to a range of methods that best suit your specific needs. These include interpreter services, sign language, visual aids, and assistive technology.
The Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National) is an interpreting service provided by the Department of Home Affairs for people with limited English proficiency and for agencies and businesses that need to communicate with their non-English speaking clients. If you want information in your language, please call the Translating and Interpreting Service by calling 131 450
Hume also uses TIS to assist with phone calls, home visits/inspections, office visits, at customer meetings (where appropriate).
For customers who are deaf or hard of hearing, please call the National Relay Service at 133
Community Noticeboard Community Noticeboard
ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLASS - FAIRFIELD
Every Saturday | 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM Practice speaking and listening in English. Mix and mingle while enhancing your English skills in our sociable and engaging sessions!
Fairfield Library on Saturdays 10.30am - 12 noon Program runs during school term.
Fairfield Library, 1-3 Hamilton Road, Fairfield.
GET FIT AND HAVE FUN
– FOLLOW PARRAMATTA VALLEY CYCLEWAY
A cheap fun family outing starts at Parramatta River and meanders east for 15 kilometres, before flowing into Sydney Harbour. Featuring an easy level cycleway, which follows the water, you can experience the stunning scenery at a leisurely pace on foot or bicycle. Begin at the river’s head in Parramatta Park and continue to Parramatta Park and Sydney Olympic Park. There are a few waterside cafes to rest up and grab a drink.
FREE LEGAL ADVICE, MACQUARIE FIELDS
Glenquarie Library, 12 Brooks St, Macquarie Fields.
Do you need to talk to someone about a legal issue or have questions about your circumstances? Book a free appointment with a practicing lawyer. Times are first Tuesday of the month from February to June 10am-12 noon.
Legal Aid NSW lawyers can help you with: Fines, Centrelink, Employment, Housing, Debt, Victim of Violence, Immigration, Police, Consumer Rights, Scams & unfair deals, Complaints about how you’ve been treated and Discrimination, Bookings are essential. If you require an AUSLAN interpreter, please notify the library at time of booking.
For more information, please phone (02) 4645 4055.
TODDLER TIMEWHITLAM LIBRARY CABRAMATTA
Tuesday, 28 January 2025 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM
A lively interactive session of short stories and songs for tots on the go for ages 18 months to 3 years. Program runs during the school term. Sessions are held Tuesdays 10.30am -11.30am – check with the library for dates. 165 Railway Pde, Cabramatta.
FREE SIP, SEW & CRAFT - GREG PERCIVAL LIBRARY
Join Sip, Sew and Craft – a free hands-on workshop for anyone over 16 years. Bring your own project, or work on a community one, while practicing various sewing techniques. Sewing volunteers will be present at the session, depending on availability. Equipment and refreshments provided. Classes run on first Monday of the month from February to June from 11am-1pm.
Community Noticeboard Community Noticeboard
GET YOUR SKATES ON
Discover a new million-dollar recreation facility at Gillieston Heights. Jointly funded by Council and the NSW Government’s Places to Play program, the new skate park features a flow bowl with a keyhole transition, waterfall to a deep bowl and a mogul. A popular destination for kids and teens who are keen to improve their skate skills. Explore the upgraded kids play space and new equipment including a manual water pump for summer fun new picnic tables and shade.
ROY JORDAN OVAL SKATE PARK AND PLAY SPACE
The NSW Government invested $500,000 in the Roy Jordan Oval Skate Park and Play space through the $16.7 million Places to Play program.
The new skate park features an exciting, dynamic design which was chosen by the local Gillieston Heights community. Situated next to Roy Jordan Oval’s existing sporting fields it provides a great recreational hub for youth and families.
Places to Play is a commitment to creating high quality open space for people to connect with greater access to nature, water and places to get adventurous outdoors across NSW.
NEW RUTHERFORD SENIORS HUB OPENING IN MARCH
Are you aged 55 plus and want to make friends, take up a new hobby and explore your region on local outings? The Rutherford Seniors Hub is looking for new members, so come along and learn more at the opening on March 12. The Hub will meet weekly 9.30am – 12 noon on Wednesdays.
For more information, please contact Richard on 0491 691 977
MY MESSAGE IS LOVE , MAITLAND REGIONAL GALLERY
Maitland Regional Art Gallery
230 High Street
1 March 2025 - 1 June 2025 | 9.00 am - 4.00 pm
Artist, Mostafa ‘Moz’ Azimitabar’s brings to the Hunter a story of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of art. Moz sought asylum in Australia in 2013 and spent six and a half years as a detainee on Manus Island. Followed by a further fourteen months detained in a Melbourne motel before being released in 2021. His work as an artist, musician, writer, and human rights activist became a form of resistance—one rooted in a message of unity and love.
PORT STEPHENS TERRACE PARKRUN
The Terrace Parkrun is a free, weekly, community events encouraging people to get outdoors, exercise and socialise. Saturday morning events are 5k and take place in parks and open spaces. No time limit, and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate. The event takes place at Riverside Park, Hunter Street, Raymond Terrace. Visit Parkrun for times.
Tocal Field Days are the premier agricultural field day event in the Hunter Region and this year marks 41 years of Tocal Field Days. Located on the grounds of the Tocal Agricultural College just 10 minutes from Maitland.
Over 370 exhibits, watch educational demonstrations with agriculture experts, enjoy live music, food trucks and an array of local produce, animal nursery and piglet races, working dogs in action and admire one of the many displays, including blacksmithing and horse hot shoeing.
Adult from $18.00
Child (5-17 years) from $6 Child (0-4 years) from $0
A free shuttle bus departing Maitland Train Station every hour over the three days.
Looking after your home & inspections –what to expect
WE LOVE THAT OUR CUSTOMERS LOVE THEIR HOMES. HOWEVER UNFORTUNATELY A SMALL NUMBER OF CUSTOMERS FAIL TO KEEP THEIR SIDE OF THEIR LEASE AGREEMENT AND PROPERTY DAMAGE, RENT ARREARS OR ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIORS LEADS TO THEIR LEASES BEING TERMINATED.
What are Customer Wellbeing Visits and why do I need to participate?
Customer Wellbeing Visits are completed by your Neighbourhood Officer to check in on you and see how you are managing and if there is any support you need. We also use this visit to inspect your home and make sure the property, your rent and any concerns are addressed.
During the visit check
Your property is kept in a clean and tidy condition – and we ask you to ensure we can access all rooms.
There is no breach of the Residential Tenancies Act, and the home complies with the safety and quality standards required of community housing providers
If your Rent, Water & Maintenance accounts are up to date and if in arrears we will discuss plans to help you resolve.
If any responsive maintenance is required
• Who is living in the household and if this matches our records & the rent being charged
• Any tenancy or neighbour challenges.
How long does a Wellbeing visit take and what to do if I am not at home?
The visit usually takes 30-45 minutes. We send you a letter with the date and time of our visit. If you are not going to be home, we ask you to please contact the number on the letter to rearrange a time that suits.
What happens
next?
During the visit we identify if any areas need to be addressed, we will discuss these with you, set goals and plan a time to revisit. We send an outcome letter confirming the actions and the time required to address these. We ask customers to treat any actions in a timely manner so as not to jeopardize your lease agreement.
SPECIALIST DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION
Rental Properties now available
What is SDA?
Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) are properties that have been approved for some people funded under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to live in.
COOTAMUNDRA
GREAT LOCATION CLOSE TO THE TOWN CENTRE.
IMPORTANT
Hume cannot assess your eligibility for SDA. You will need to contact your NDIS Support Coordinator to see if you are eligible for SDA funding and/or request a review of your NDIS plan if it is not included.
LIVERPOOL
HANDY LOCATION IN A QUIET CUL-DE- SAC.
Single storey specialist disability accommodation featuring five bedrooms, one bathroom spacious living area, reverse cycle ducted air-conditioning. Visit gonest.com.au to find out more.
This spacious five bedroom home offers three living areas and two bathrooms and wheelchair accessibility with a level driveway, ramp access and a fully fenced outdoor entertainment area with BBQ.
Visit gonest.com.au to find out more.
CASULA
WELL LOCATED, FULLY ACCESSIBLE HOME
ERSKINE PARK
TRADITIONAL HOME LOCATED IN A QUIET NEIGHBOURHOOD.
Featuring five bedrooms, two bathrooms (including a main bathroom with handrails and an ensuite attached to an occupied bedroom), shared living space, kitchen, dining, laundry, single garage and ducted air conditioning.
Visit gonest.com.au to find out more.
Offering four spacious bedrooms, three modern bathrooms, cozy living area, and a fully accessible courtyard with a covered outdoor area and a barbecue.
Visit gonest.com.au to find out more.
A chance to have your say in Autumn 2025!
Hume Housing is committed to improving our services to customers and our Housing for People with Disability Customer Satisfaction Survey is one of the key ways for us to receive your feedback.
We invite our HPWD customers to participate in the survey so you can share your thoughts on our Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) services. Hume would like to better understand how we are currently engaging with you, the quality of repairs and maintenance happening at your home, and your well-being. The completion of the survey will help us to improve our services.
Complete and return the survey to go into the draw to win one of three $100 gift cards.
Nepean Disability Expo
Put it in your diary! Hume Housing for People with Disability Team will be an exhibitor at this upcoming event The Expolinks people with a disability with product and service providers as well as presenting a range of informative and interactive presentations delivered by industry experts.
The expo features:
• Free entry
• Free parking within the venue’s parking grounds, including accessibility space.
• 100+ exhibiting service and product providers
• Presentations and speakers from Government agencies and disability organisations
• Kid’s entertainment and live all-ability performances
• Café and seating
Date: 4 & 5 April 2025
Time: 9am to 3pm
SIL partnerships and you
SUPPORTED INDEPENDENT LIVING (SIL) PROVIDERS ARE THE BACKBONE RESPONSIBLE FOR DELIVERING HIGH QUALITY IN-HOME SUPPORT TO HUME SDA CUSTOMERS. WE CAREFULLY VET PROVIDERS TO ENSURE THEY ALIGN WITH QUALITY STANDARDS AND SHARE OUR GOAL OF ENSURING CUSTOMERS ENJOY SAFE, SUPPORTIVE AND HAPPY HOMES.
Hume customers are empowered to determine who provides SIL and/or SDA Provider services and we have a rigorous process to support customers who choose to do so.
Customers and their families from one of our homes recently selected Everyday Ability as their new SIL Provider. Everyday Ability believe that supporting disability clients must be done with care, compassion and with a dose of fun. Everyday Their team of 40 passionate individuals are genuinely enabling people with disabilities that opportunity to live enriched and fulfilling lives.
Their vision is to create an inclusive, holistic, person-centred service that treats each participant and their family members with dignity, kindness, and respect.
Everyday Ability’s services include:
• Day programs
• Community Supports
• Accommodation Services
• Rainbow Friends – social group
• In Home
DIGNITY – EVERYDAY ABILITY IS COMMITTED TO HELPING THEIR PARTICIPANTS ENJOY INDEPENDENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.
KINDNESS – EVERYDAY ABILITY BELIEVES THAT EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO EXPERIENCE LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP IN THEIR EVERYDAY LIVES.
RESPECT – EVERYDAY ABILITY RESPECTS THE RIGHT OF ALL THEIR PARTICIPANTS TO MAKE THEIR OWN CHOICES ABOUT THEIR LIVES AND THE SUPPORT THEY RECEIVE.
When you are keeping an eye on your budget, it’s good to know you can eat cheaply without sacrificing nutrition and flavour. Our cheap and easy recipes will have you whipping them up in a flash.
Sweet Chicken Fingers
IN LESS THANK 20 MINUTES YOU CAN WHIP UP THIS FINGER-LICKING RECIPE.
1
Ingredients
1kg chicken tenderloins or cut chicken thighs or breast into strips
¼ cup natural yoghurt
2 cups cornflakes crushed
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to 180. Line tray with baking paper.
2 In a shallow bowl combine crushed cornflakes and parmesan cheese.
3 Place yoghurt in a bowl and add chicken strips to coat well.
4 Roll the chicken strips in cornflake and cheese mix to coat well.
5
Place on baking tray and cook for 15 minutes until gold and crunchy. Serve with sweet chilli sauce for extra zing.
Fruit Oat Crumble
A HEARTY WARM FRUIT CRUMBLE THAT IS CHEAP AND DELICIOUS.
Ingredients
Fruit filling ingredients
3- 4 cups frozen mixed berries or finely sliced apples (any stewing fruit will work)
2 tablespoons sugar
zest from 1 lemon pinch of salt
Crumble topping
1 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar or white if you have none
4 tablespoons plain flour
1/2 cup soft butter or margarine
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2 Combine fruit filling ingredients in a bowl and set aside.
3 Make crumble by combining all ingredients, using fingers to rub in the butter until well coated and crumbly. Set aside.
4 Pour fruit filing into an overproof dish. Top with an even layer of oat crumble.
This dish is terrific served with salad or mashed potatoes and peas.
Recipefromtaste.com.au
5 Bake uncovered until the berry filling is bubbling, and crumble is golden brown (approx. 4060 minutes). Let cool before serving. Serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
Recipefromwoolworths.com.au
DIRECTIONS
Find and circle the vocabulary words in the grid. Look for them in all directions including backwards and diagonally.
ALARM ASSEMBLY POINT AWARE BUILDING COMBUSTION DETECTOR DRILL DROP EMERGENCY EVACUATE EXIT
End Of Year Celebrations across Hume
We finished last year on a high note! Not only was it a celebration of our 30th anniversary year, but also a great way to finish off 2024 celebrating with our communities. We collected donations and packaged hampers and gift packs to distribute to families who needed a little bit of extra cheer during the holiday season. Thanks everyone for making our celebrations so happy and enjoyable. Let’s do it again next year!
Compliments, complaints and appeals
CONTACT HUME TO PROVIDE A COMPLIMENT, COMPLAINT OR APPEAL, YOU CAN FIND A FORM ON OUR WEBSITE.
FEEDBACK TAKES DIFFERENT FORMS:
COMPLIMENTS
• We appreciate hearing from you about the good service, experiences and overall satisfaction with Hume. Knowing what we are doing well helps us keep doing more of the same.
COMPLAINTS
• An expression of dissatisfaction with the standard or type of service we have provided.
APPEALS
• A request to have an official decision reviewed as you don’t agree with the outcome
• If you still don’t agree with the outcome of an appeal, you can contact the Housing Appeals Committee on 1800 629 974 and they will conduct an independent review. ANTI-SOCIAL
• If you are experiencing problems with your neighbours or their visitors, it is not recorded as a complaint
• Your Neighbourhood Officer will manage these reports and keep you updated on a regular basis.
CONTACT US
General enquiries: 1800 004 300
General email: hume@humehousing.com.au
Repairs email: repairs@humehousing.com.au
Website: www.humehousing.com.au
Please like Hume Community Housing on Facebook to receive updates.
ABN: 66 647 041 988
Offices PLEASE BOOK AN APPOINTMENT BEFORE ATTENDING ANY HUME OFFICES 7 Hamilton Road Cabrogal Country
NSW 2165 464 High Street Wonnarua Country Maitland NSW 2320 46 William Street Worimi Country Raymond Terrace NSW 2324 There’s now even more ways to contact us: