May 26 marks National Sorry Day, the day that the landmark ‘Bringing them Home’ report was tabled in Federal parliament in 1997.
It is a time to remember the past policies of forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and listen, learn and feel the painful stories of the Stolen Generations. It is also a time to recognise the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the power of saying sorry.
From May 27 – June 3 is National Reconciliation Week, a time for all to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
This year’s theme is ‘Be Brave. Make Change’, a challenge to us all to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for all.
At CHL/ACHL, some of our teams attended or held their own event to remember the past of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people including the many, many people involved in getting Australia to where it is today. Additionally, reflecting on how we all can contribute towards achieving a more reconciled Australia.
As many of you will know, every year CHL holds a national tenant satisfaction survey. The survey, an opportunity for all our tenants, like you, to share with us how we are doing, what is working and where we can improve.
Over the last few months, we have reviewed and analysed your responses with the help of Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW), an independent agency, who conducted the survey on our behalf keeping your information and answers private, safe and secure.
We are pleased to share with you the results for some of our States along with what we are doing to tackle some of the common themes identified within.
To find out the results for your State you can visit the ‘Keeping you informed’ pages on the CHL website or simply scan this QR code on your phone.
Lastly, thanks to everyone for taking the time to share your thoughts. It has been extremely helpful for us as an organisation to understand how and where we can improve to provide you with a better customer experience.
Did you know CHL’s very first home was a self-built specially designed home for someone living with a disability? It’s true!
Since then, CHL has continued to grow in this space. Today, homes built specially for people living with a disability and funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) are referred to as Specialist Disability Accommodation, otherwise known as ‘SDA’. SDA gives residents a home that is designed specifically for you and/or your family member’s needs.
CHL has over 70 SDA placements and another 40 in the works across the States in which we operate in - New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Western Australia. Built to a high-quality standard, your SDA home can be wheelchair accessible, have state-ofthe-art Assistive Technology, be purpose-built for sensory needs, or any other requirements you may need.
Whatever your circumstance, if you would like more information about your options, eligibility and upcoming projects in your area, contact your Housing/SDA officer on 1300 245 468 or scan the QR code to fill out our online NDIS enquiry form.
At CHL, we are excited to work with you and your families to create new SDA homes all around Australia.
Thank you to everyone who submitted their applications in round one of the inaugural Impact Grants Program. We were ecstatic to hear of your goals and ambitions, and how you’d like us to help you achieve them. In total, we approved 14 applications. The total funding valued at $9K.
We would like to congratulate all our Round 1 Impact Grant Program winners:
Abbie (VIC)
Anne (SA) Debbie (QLD) Deeon (QLD)
Diana (NSW)
Graham (NSW)
Heather (QLD)
James (QLD)
Jaquie (QLD)
Julie (QLD)
Sandra (VIC)
Selina (VIC)
Tania (VIC)
Tenants in the SASH Pilot Program (QLD)
Meet Graham, an Impact Grants Program recipient who was awarded a grant to embrace his green thumb passions while beautifying his neighbourhood and providing food supplies to his community.
“Seeing all my neighbours’ happy makes me feel good. It gives them a sense of a real “home” and they told me it looks like the Botanical Gardens. I must give a special thanks to Diana for her help in emailing the application and driving me to Bunnings to collect my items.
“I was very happy and pleased when told I was successful in receiving a grant for my garden project”.
At CHL/ACHL, we want to help as many people as we can to achieve their dreams and goals. Now you can be one step closer with our Impact Grants Program and the best news is that this opportunity is available to all our customers across the country!
Whether it is a TAFE course, a gym membership, art classes, driving lessons or a community event, there is an opportunity for you and your community.
There are three categories:
Education and Employment – provides up to $1,500 to encourage a wide range of educational and employment opportunities.
Social Connection – provides up to $300 funding towards health and wellbeing pursuits, such as sporting and fitness activities, arts and craft or music. It also includes anything that may enable inclusion, such as a car licence.
Community – provides grants up to $2,000 to community organisations, support agencies or collective groups of CHL tenants for community projects.
Apply Now via our ‘Apply for Grants’ page on the CHL and ACHL websites.
For more information, you can:
• Phone our contact centre on 1300 CHL HOUSING (1300 245 468)
• Email us at impactgrants@chl.org.au
• Contact your local Housing Officer or Community Development Officer
• Or scan the QR code on the top-right-hand corner with your phone.
Did you miss your chance to win in round 1? Well don’t worry because great news - Round 2 of our applications are now open. That’s right – It’s Round 2!
Thanks to the amazing team at Bunnings Warehouse Australia, the balcony areas of CHL tenants in a Port Macquarie complex have been given a makeover and are now blooming with colour and plenty of smiles.
The initiative was put in place to tackle loneliness and encourage elderly tenants to get outdoors and enjoy the space with their neighbours.
CHL tenants, Grant Jerome and Henry Holten have taken on the role of Community Workers, hitting the streets of South Kempsey to survey their fellow ACHL and CHL tenants.
CHL NSW’s Community Development team has banded together with the Kempsey community to install telegraph poles as bollards through Steele Park. This comes after community member’s voiced concerns of vehicles using Steele Park as a shortcut or hooning area.
CHL in partnership with the community, Kempsey Neighbourhood Centre and Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation held a community cultural painting day where they installed the bollards and local residents painted. Residents were guided by facilitating artist, Tyrone Duke.
The Deadly Totem poles designed by Tyrone Duke to reflect the local community.
“There’s been a lot of isolation, people being locked down and some fear associated with COVID-19,” said NSW Community Development Manager, Steve Neale.
“We want to get our seniors out in the garden for their mental health, to get fresh air and by tidying up the balconies we are enabling that.”
“We are promoting healthy eating and also getting those tenants out in the garden, and giving something back to the rest of the people in the complex.”
CHL tenant, Mr. Matthews said he’s already had more conversations between tenants.
He said he values his outdoor space, where he enjoys growing herbs and vegetables and donating some fresh produce to the Port Macquarie soup kitchen, where he volunteers.
Catch ABC’s media coverage on our ‘News’ page: chl.org.au/news/news-media/chl-on-news-channels
The NSW Health Aboriginal Environmental Health Unit (AEHU) is sponsoring their casual employment while Wesley Mission Opportunity Pathways supplied new bikes and the necessary PPE to get the job done.
If you are in the neighbourhood, you may’ve seen Grant and Henry wheeling through collating information on the challenges people may be experiencing in managing their household waste to assist the Kempsey Clean Country Interagency Working Group determine what action might be needed. They are also sharing details around the new Envirobank recycle depot in South Kempsey where people can take their bottles and cans to access the Return and Earn program and get paid immediately onto their card or book a home collection service for those who do not have access to transport.
If you are in the South Kempsey area, keep a look out for Henry (left) and Grant (right) and be sure to say hi and have your say!
This project was a collaboration between us and many partner organisations. We would like to thank them for helping us deliver this great outcome:
Kempsey Neighbourhood Centre, Kinchela Boys Home Aboriginal Corporation, Tarrant’s Building services, Essential Energy, West Kempsey local Elder, Uncle John Kelly who provided water access for washing brushes, Facilitating Artist Tyrone Duke, Kempsey Shire Council who partially funded this via the community safety grant and last but not least the community.
Catch NBN’s media coverage on our ‘News’ page: chl.org.au/news/news-media/chl-on-news-channels
Watch our video capturing the Kempsey based Ginda Barri program providing vulnerable young mothers at risk of homelessness, a secure home and a greater support to pursue their education.
Naanggu Dhalayikurr Ginda Barri Program - https://youtu.be/x59jsCmZBek
CHL together with 5 Star Project and the Victorian Property Fund (VPF) are proud to announce that a new state-of-theart facility in Sale, Gippsland has been completed delivering a five person share home and two independent units that will expand the housing options for people living with a disability or progressive illness.
These properties will be allocated to residents of the Gippsland area who are approved for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), and we will be working closely with support provider, Aruma, to ensure tenants in most need are provided with this much needed specialised disability housing.
Each of the properties come with a contemporary design, accommodation for onsite staff and are close to shops and transport, designed to meet the relevant disability standards.
If you would like to register your interest with us, please contact our Box Hill office on 03 9856 0050 to chat with our SDA Housing Officer.
Did you know that in Victoria you can receive all your notices in relation to inspections, rent reviews and other tenancy items via email?
In 2021, after changes to the Residential Tenancies Act, CHVL added the ability for you to sign up to get Electronic Service of Notifications via your tenancy agreement or a consent form that was distributed with rent reviews. If you have signed those forms, we will start sending you notices via email immediately.
Should you wish to reduce your paper usage and receive notices faster, please contact your local office via 1300 245 468 to have a copy of the consent form sent to you. Alternatively, a copy will be sent with any future rent reviews to make this process easier.
L-R: Homes Victoria Executive Director Luke Bo’sher, CHVL Victoria State Manager Grant McNeill and MP Sonja Terpstra.
L-R: Regional Housing Services Coordinator Mandy Stewart, Member for Melton Steve McGhie, Housing Minister Hon. Richard Wynne and CHVL State Manager Grant McNeill.
In December 2020, the Victorian State Government announced the Big Housing Build. The $5.3 billion program which will deliver 12,000 new homes across the State. The funding is the largest investment seen in Australia’s history and will see the overall number of public and social housing homes increase by 10 per cent.
To manage and oversee the Big Housing Build, the State Government has created a new department, Homes Victoria. Homes Victoria will manage all existing public housing and allocated $1.38 billion to support community housing providers to deliver 4,200 homes.
We are proud to say Community Housing Victoria Limited (CHVL) has been successful in its tenders to deliver new social housing in metropolitan Melbourne, Croydon, Wantirna South, Mitcham as well as Sunbury, Melton South, Ballarat, Benalla and Morwell. A total of 388 new homes.
The first homes have already been delivered in Melton South and new tenants are settling into brand new homes. Other projects are under construction and will be completed later this year and into 2023.
Victoria’s State Manager, Grant McNeill, said, “this is an exciting time for Community Housing Victoria. We know there is so much need for affordable, secure housing right across the State”.
The new homes will be built to high standards with a range of energy efficient features. They are all close to public transport and community facilities and services.
Future projects are planned for regional Victoria, Aboriginal Victorians and supported housing for people living with a mental illness.
CHL SA are very excited to have three new staff members joining our team! Bringing with them a wealth of knowledge and experience, if you see them out and about, please make them feel welcome.
Rita and Donna have joined the SA team as Housing officers and will be managing properties within the Enfield area.
Rita comes to CHL with an extensive social housing background, having worked in homelessness sector for many years. After a substantial break in the industry, she returns to housing passionate about the current issues around homelessness and the current needs of our tenants. Rita enjoys gardening and spending time with family in her down time.
Donna has over 15 years’ experience in community housing and is passionate about social justice and working toward a future without homelessness. Donna loves spending time out and about with her family and at the beach.
Leonie is the new Community Development Manager for SA and has worked in the Community Development sector for over 17 years. Leonie will be working across the portfolio, supporting community to stay connected and working with you to come ups with some innovative ideas to improve your local area.
If you would like to get involved in any community development initiatives or need some support getting connected, please give Leonie a call on 8210 0202.
Life can be full of stressors, a big one being moving into a new home. That’s why CHL SA is proud to partner with Freudenberg Home and Cleaning Solutions Pty Ltd (Oates) because with their help, we are able to provide our new sign-ups with a new home kit.
Inside each of these kits is a range of cleaning and household products carefully selected between CHL and Freudenberg to suit the needs of our customers and their new homes. Items can range from a mop, mop bucket, broom, dishcloth, gloves, scourers, rubbish bin, dustpan, broom and a clothes airer.
“We are supporting our tenants from the start, moving into a new home can be overwhelming and expensive.
“These kits provide a foundation for our tenants to care for their new home, and for CHL SA operations, that our tenants have the confidence and means to continue caring for their home,” said Bianca, CHL SA State Operations Manager.
Each year, CHL receives 120 new home kits from Freudenberg each kit valued up to $300.
“These packs have such a positive impact on our tenancies here in SA and more importantly, our tenants’ lives. We hope this partnership, and partnerships like these, can continue for many years to come.”
It’s that time of year, we are calling out to green thumb extraordinaires to gear up for CHL’s annual garden competition.
Once again, we have the following categories: Best front garden, best rear garden, best veggie patch and best new garden (within the last 12 months in your property).
To enter, please email infosa@chl.org.au with images of your garden along with your name, address, contact number, category and a small blurb on what gardening means to you.
Up for grabs are a $100, $50 and $30 Bunnings vouchers for the first, second and third place respectively.
For any enquiries, phone 8210-0200 or email infosa@chl.org.au.
Get ready, set and GROW!
L-R: Housing Officer Rita Francese, Community Development Manager Leonie Fuchs and Housing Officer Donna Langdon.Over the last few months, the CHL team in Tasmania has been run off their feet.
Recently, Housing Services Coordinator, Narelle Kreutzer was promoted to State Operations Manager,which has opened up two opportunities for Housing Officers to move into Housing Services Coordinator roles.
We also welcomed two newly appointed Senior Tenancy Support Coordinators to our team to continue to engage and connect customers to support organisations across the state.
Living in a property about to be condemned and demolished, *Samantha was losing hope that she and her family of four would find a home that was safe, affordable and secure.
The property had no electricity but ran on a generator and was riddled with rats that had been attacking the parents and then the children, to the point where the children relocated to live with their grandmother.
During this time, Housing Worker Kelli-Anne had a 2-bedroom home become available in Rocherlea. When reviewing applicants, she came across Samantha’s application bundled with images of the demolition-bound property and support letters from their doctor.
After careful consideration, three applicants were chosen to interview for the property. One of whom was Samantha’s family of four. During the interview process, Samantha’s support worker was there to offer support to her case.
Unfortunately, this property was not suitable for the family. Given the circumstances, it was not an ideal long-term solution for the family with the possible risk of overcrowding.
However, another application was submitted this time to the Housing Services Coordinator for an available 3-bedroom home in Rocherlea. The property recently had a new kitchen installed and other maintenance items addressed.
Samantha and her family have since moved in and are enjoying making the space their own.
*Name has been changed in this story for privacy reasons.
For those of you who have wanted financial assistance, we are linking to budgeting programs.
The team has also connected with the Salvation Army in Launceston and attended this year’s launch of the Red Shield Appeal. We will continue to make connections with local organisations to leverage on their expertise and skill and optimise our ability to assist our customers and the wider community.
Linda is a single mother of two young girls and together had been living in a shelter. With only one day left before having to vacate, Linda met with the CHL team at the Mowbray office to discuss her housing options.
CHL’s Housing Services Coordinator discussed with the housing team Linda’s situation. The team assessed her situation and reviewed what properties they had in stock. Fortunately, they found a property that had recently become available and that would be best suited for Linda and her two daughters.
At the time, the property was still in the hands of maintenance but as soon as that was done and dusted the family moved in.
“The excitement from the family was overwhelming, and they are looking forward to their future moving forward,” said CHL’s Coordinator.
“It isn’t always sunshine and rainbows allocating properties to people in need, as only one can be accepted. However, it is days like this that make it all worthwhile when we get the opportunity to provide safe and stable accommodation to families in need”.
*Name has been changed in this story for privacy reasons.
Thanks to funding from the Federal Government’s Be Connected program, several Gold Coast tenants have been able to borrow iPad devices and benefit from free one on one and group classes.
Gold Coast residents Malcolm and Paul have had some home-based lessons with IT Teacher Julie from digital teaching company IT4Retirees. Paul says, “I have mobility issues and chronic pain so having some lessons at home has been great. It’s given me the confidence I need to learn more. I am borrowing an iPad from CHQL and hope to be able to carry on with some lessons after the free lessons end.”
Paul’s neighbour Malcom has also enjoyed the lessons.
Malcolm said, “It’s been a great experience to learn how to use an iPad. As neighbours, we’ve been able to learn together.”
Queensland Community Development Manager Connie Crookshanks said, “Sometimes we forget just how much of a challenge it must be for the seniors in our community to operate in a digital world. The classes we have been able to provide have given some of our tenants an opportunity to learn new skills and build confidence in their abilities.”
For further details, contact Connie on 07 5655 1123.
Trina’s team pulled out all the stops recently supporting her at one of the regular Wooloowin Happy Hour’s! As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ Community, Trina embraced the theme of rainbows for our first Happy Hour of the year in March.
Trina, pictured front left, has been enjoying increased independence since August last year having moved from one of the share houses at Wooloowin to her own unit.
Trina’s life path took an unexpected turn in 2013 when, during a routine hospital stay, she suffered a major stroke. An accomplished breast cancer researcher, Trina had to find a new path and find it she did. There have been several bumps along the way but despite everything, Trina continues to live
her best life and indeed, with the support of her fun loving and supportive team from QSSS, she is living life to the fullest. Now a champion Boccia player and active member of the Brisbane Pride Choir, Trina is living proof that all is not lost when your life path changes.
The CHL Queensland Team are excited to announce the 2022 date for the Annual Gold Coast Homeless Connect Event.
As both the 2020 and 2021 events were cancelled due to COVID restrictions, it’s great to see the event back on track.
Come and visit the Queensland CHL Team!
On the day patrons will be able to access support for issues such as housing, health, books, shoes, clothing, veterinary and legal support; entertainment and food will be also provided.
Further details: www.gchomelessnessnetwork.com/ gold-coast-homeless-connect.
In December 2021, we welcomed Alicia Follent as the new Queensland State Manager. Alicia began her housing career at Churches of Christ Housing Services. Since then, she has undertaken a number of roles during her time at Churches of Christ Housing Services. Most recently as Operations Manager, a position she held for six years before taking on the role of General Manager in 2019.
Alicia holds diplomas in Social Housing, Management and Justice Administration and is currently completing a Master of Business Administration. For fun, she likes to play soccer (but not fun when she gets injured, she adds).
Welcome Alicia!
Gold Coast customers Paul (left) and Malcolm (right) with IT4Retirees Trainer, Julie.Since April 2020, the CHL team began its journey into the Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) space in Western Australia and in a relatively short time, established CHL as a leading player in the State’s SDA market and preferred partner for developers, investors and disability support providers.
Last year, in partnership with WAI Group, Activ Foundation and Geraldton builder, Campbell Homes, we were able to bring regional WA’s first official SDA known as The West End Villas. The development can house up to 14 people and is a nation-leading example of SDA and have been expertly crafted under National Insurance Disability Scheme standards.
We have a number of SDA homes on the horizon in Perth and the South-West of WA. This includes Mandurah and Yokine. One is four 2-bedroom
apartments specifically designed for those with high physical support needs in Mandurah expected to be completed by December 2022. The second is two 2-bedrooms with on-site overnight assistance in Yokine expected to be completed by January 2023.
In all of our SDA projects, CHL’s role is primarily as the SDA provider and tenancy and property manager working with a number of partnerships sharing expertise and skills to provide housing for all in WA.
We will continue to keep you in the loop of any other SDA projects coming near to you.
If this interests you, visit our SDA page on the CHL website to lookout for upcoming properties and vacancies. Any queries, fill out our NDIS online enquiry form.
CHL WA has been successful in securing funds as part of the State Government’s Social Housing Economic Recovery Package.
The $319 million package, stemmed from the State Government’s COVID economic recovery will create more fit-for-purpose homes to help address the State’s increasing social housing demands, along with specific funding for maintenance works in remote Aboriginal Communities.
CHL State Manager, Sean Kelly said, “CHL are thrilled to have secured funding as part of the State Government’s SHERP to improve the lifespan and quality of homes available for social housing.
“Not only will the refurbishment and maintenance activity undertaken through SHERP be a huge factor, but it will also extend the longevity of the property and overall satisfaction for our residents.”
Read the WA Government’s media release here.
Ella (she/her) joined the Perth CHL team in March this year, bringing many years of experience in the community sector – most recently as a disability advocate – and a degree in Community Development from Murdoch University. In the new role of SDA Engagement Officer, Ella will be supporting several new and exciting Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) projects across WA.
After seeing many people with disabilities struggle to find suitable and accessible homes, she looks forward to working with the team to bring about quality, tailored and welcoming homes for all.
Outside of work you can find her trying her hand at craft projects and volunteering at a wildlife centre.
New West End Villas resident Diane Galea with Minister Don Punch MLA
Our Tika Tirka residents embarking on SEED placements delivered in partnership with CALHN.
supported with senior Aboriginal staff in addition to participate in Health SA Training development program and the Annual Aboriginal workforce forums. It is the start of their career pathways of choice that we have studied hard to complete our courses and now supported to enter the workforce of our choice.
ACHL SA Community Development Officer, Trischia Ritchie said, “ACHL is proud to partner with Central Adelaide Local Health Network and for our Tika Tirka residents to play an active role within this strategy – as the strategy states in Kaurna: “Kumangka – Together, Ngadluku kuma pirrkutidil: We are part of the story and helping to raise the ceiling for our peoples by breaking barriers”.
If you’ve been accepted into full-time tertiary education, a traineeship or an apprenticeship at an Adelaide-based educational institution then you may be eligible to live at Tika Tirka.
Contact our team on (08) 8210 0200 or email tika.tirka@achl.org.au.
*Reference: Culturally safe health care for Indigenous Australians - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (aihw.gov.au)
A group of Tika Tirka residents are forging further afield with their studies thanks to a cadetship program called SEED brought about by a newly formed partnership between ACHL SA and SA Health’s Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN).
The SEED program, which stands for Success = Education + Employment + Development program will see our residents gain hands-on experience in their chosen field at the CALHN while they pursue their studies at university.
According to a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Warfare*, 363 indigenous medical practitioners were employed in Australia in 2017 and 3,540 Indigenous nurses and midwives were employed in Australia in 2017. That is only 0.4% of
all employed medical practitioners and 1.1% of all employed nurses and midwives respectively. While 15% of CALHN’s elective and emergency hospital admissions identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander said Central Adelaide’s Executive Director of Workforce Management and Reform, Gabby Ramsay.
The SEED program aims to increase the number of skilled Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people working in health to provide culturally safe health services appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients.
ACHL SA Community Development Officer, Trischia Ritchie said, this new connection for our Tika Tirka residents provides opportunities to support their course placements with university, plus be guided with mentorship. The most beneficial and exciting pathway is for them to commence a work career with CAHLN Health SA workforce and be culturally
On May 18, the ACHL team in Kaurna country attended Sonder’s Closing the Gap Day at the Adelaide Showground, a free family-friendly event that welcomes all Australians to come together and commit to achieving health equality for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
The day was jam-packed full of activities and resources to link community in with plus an array of Aboriginal cultural performances on display. Included in the deadly line up of entertainment was Nathan May, Vonda Last and comedian, Sean Choolburra as MC. Not to mention Uncle Frank Wanganeen and Uncle Moogy Sumner who provided the Welcome to Country ceremony with Isaac Hanman on Yidaki (didgeridoo).
“It’s such a great day for our mob to come together, connect, have fun and learn about a range of available services that might be of use to them and their family,” said ACHL SA Community Development Officer, Trischia Ritchie.
“We look forward to being here again next year!”
As they say, you can take the man out of Burma but never Burma out of the man.
Aye moved to Australia eleven years ago to embark on a new life for him and his family. Of which, he has been a CHL tenant for five living with his wife and daughter in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne.
The 2-bedroom home he said is “a sanctuary” that gives him and his family safety, fresh air and peace of mind to live a life full of abundance.
During this time, Aye said he has watched the complex’s community garden wither away as he and his neighbours were unable to gather and socialise due to Melbourne’s COVID lockdowns and restrictions.
As an avid green thumb, Aye said it pained him to look out the window to see the garden block fall by the wayside.
For as long as Aye can remember, working in the plantations has always felt like home to him. Ever since he was a child, he would be found planting seedlings, picking fruits and vegetable, the provisions to feed his family and community.
“Ever since I was in Burma, I have always loved planting,” said Aye. “When I reached here [Australia], I yearned to garden.”
So much so, it prompted Aye to message the CHL maintenance team about the future of the garden. To Aye’s excitement, the team said the garden was up for the taking.
Thanks to Aye’s initiating, the community garden is back in action and thriving with fruits and vegetables for anyone at the complex to use as needed.
In total, there are about 30 different plant varieties. Many being remnants of Aye’s motherland, Burma from gram peas, peppers, calabash, pumpkin, grapes and more.
Aye even built a garden frame to offer plant protection and encourage growth for certain plants during the different seasons.
“Planting is a hobby for me,” said Aye. “A chance to plant for everyone’s pleasure.”
Nearing his seventies, Aye is not the type to sit still. He said the community garden is a chance for him to enjoy his retirement and stay active doing what he loves while serving others with a cheerful heart.
“I am happy when caring for plants and others, and my satisfaction grows as they grow”.
Margaret and Edward* have lived in the mid north coast for most of their adult lives. Now in their 80s the couple lived in a modest and affordable rental in Port Macquarie for over seven years.
They were taken by surprise in March this year, when the property they were renting was put up for sale. The couple was given 42 days’ notice to vacate the property when it sold and their lives started to unravel.
The couple found themselves in a desperate situation in the midst of an unprecedented housing crisis. Despite applying for over 20 properties within two weeks, they were unable to secure a new rental property.
They began to despair and Edward told their neighbour they were considering ending their lives as they contemplated becoming homeless.
Thanks to the advocacy and support of their neighbour, the couple were referred to Community Housing Limited by their local MP.
With continued support from their neighbour, Margaret and Edward registered with Housing NSW, making them eligible for social housing through CHL.
On 21 April 2022, the couple signed a lease with CHL and are now living in an affordable rental property in an over 55s apartment complex.
Margaret and Edward say they are now settling into their new home and have a deep appreciation for social and community housing.
CHL was able to assist Margaret and Edward on this occasion, but we continue to struggle to meet the growing demand for housing by some of the most vulnerable people in our communities as a result of the housing crisis.
It is unacceptable in a wealthy country like Australia, that older vulnerable people like Margaret and Edward contemplate ending their lives due to the fear of becoming homeless.
*Names have been changed in this story for privacy reasons.
Be in to win one of three voucher prizes! All you need to do is draw below a picture of what having a home means to you. It could be you with your family, playing in the garden, being with your friends – you name it!
Then send it through to us via one of three ways: Scan and email your drawing to us at chlconnect@chl.org.au, drop it into your local office or mail it to the ‘CHL Communications Team’ at Community Housing Ltd, 19-23 Prospect St, Box Hill, Victoria 3128.
The competition closes at 5pm Friday 9th September 2022. Winners announced later in the month. There will be prizes for those who place 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Prizes include a $50 card for 1st place, and smaller gift cards/vouchers for 2nd and 3rd. Any queries, email chlconnect@chl.org.au.
Happy Drawing!
Beyond
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CHL aims to provide a high standard of service in all areas of our operations. We recognise however that there are times when tenants affected by our operations may wish to comment on or complain about an aspect of our service.
CHL values and appreciates all the customer feedback you have kindly shared with us. Your compliments, insights and feedback are invaluable. Your information helps guide improvements in not only how we deliver our services to you, but also in ensuring that our policies and procedures are fair and transparent.
Any feedback that you choose to provide, CHL appreciates and aims to resolve any issues in a timely manner.
If you are unsure of where you can send this information, you can lodge your feedback in writing, over the telephone, on our website or in person and have it treated as formal feedback.
Remember you have the right to register a formal complaint when dissatisfied with issues about our service.
CHL’s highly trained agents will help to diagnose your repair query and will assess whether your request is an emergency, urgent or a routine repair.
Urgent Repairs Consists of those which may cause serious harm towards a person or serious damage to the property e.g. storm, fire damage, gas leak, serious roof leak, a burst water service or sewage blockage and other faults that make the premises unsafe.
Priority Repairs Consists of those of which may cause serious damage to the property and must be maintained within 24-hours* of filing the request to reduce the risk of it becoming an urgent matter e.g. failure of oven, stove or hot water service.
Normal Repairs Consists of those which are not threatening to a person or damaging to the property but still need to be repaired within a 21-day timeframe*.
*These timeframes may differ state to state.
For leasehold properties, the landlord is responsible for routine repairs. In most cases, CHL will get urgent work fixed within four hours. The response times to each category may vary depending on where you live.
You can find information such as our complaints and appeals policies, processes and timeframe guidelines via:
• Phoning our staff on 1300 245 468
• Visiting our website on www.chl.org.au
• Visiting any one of our office locations (while adhering to that office’s COVID-19 guidelines).
For all repairs and maintenance queries, call us on 1300 424 573 during business hours 7 days a week. You can also email us at maintenance@chl.org.au.
For any urgent and emergency repairs, you can call us on 1300 424 573 outside of our normal office hours, evenings and weekends. If you need police, fire or ambulance in an emergency, call Triple Zero (000).
If you need police, fire or ambulance in an emergency, call triple zero (000).
For more information visit our Maintenance page on our website.
Get warm this winter with this protein-packed soup. It requires little supervision, takes only a few minutes to prep, and simmers away on the stove by itself until it’s ready to be enjoyed! It can make a huge pot, and store batches in the freezer to enjoy later.
Serving: 3 Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes Total: 30 minutes
No matter what season or time of year it is, it is important to maintain a steady flow of fresh, quality air within your home.
Closing up your home during the cold winter months might help to keep heat in and the chilly air out, but at least some ventilation is needed to remove that excess moisture that’s in the indoor air.
Damp air may quickly turn mouldy, which can be a nuisance for you, your home and your health.
Mould is a fungal growth. It grows in homes under the right conditions of dampness, darkness and poor ventilation. It is easy to ventilate during the spring and summer - simply open a door or window and the clean, healthy air comes flowing into your home. But how do you properly ventilate during the winter?
There are a number of steps you can take to prevent mould growing in your home:
• Let sun into your home by opening your window coverings during the day.
• Dry your shoes and clothes before you put them away.
• When having a hot shower or bath, use the exhaust fan and open your windows after to allow the moisture to escape.
• When cooking, use the exhaust fan and open the window where possible.
• If you use a clothes drier, open your windows when in use so the moisture does not build up on the walls and ceilings.
Some helpful hints to help remove mould in your home:
• The earlier you remove the mould from the surface the easier it will be to maintain.
• A cheap alternative is to use white vinegar and a clean cloth to wipe down the affected area (throw the cloth out after using).
If you would like further information on mould in your home, please contact your local office for a fact sheet or visit our ‘Repair and maintenance factsheets’ on the CHL website.
• 2 tsp (10 mL) vegetable oil
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 4 cups (960 mL) water
• 1 vegetable bouillon cube, crushed
• 1 cup (192 g) dry red lentils, rinsed
• 1 medium potato, diced into 1 cm cubes
• 1 Tbsp (7 g) paprika powder
• 2 tsp (5 g) onion powder
• 2 tsp (6 g) garlic powder
• 2 tsp (10 mL) balsamic vinegar
• ⅛ tsp ground black pepper, or more to taste
• 1 pinch salt, or more to taste
• 3 slices whole wheat bread, toasted
• 1 cup (240 mL) unsweetened coconut yogurt
• Optional Garnish
• caramelized onions
• chili flakes
• fresh parsley
1. To a large pot on medium-high heat, add the oil. When hot, add the onions and sauté until golden, about in about 5 minutes.
2. Add in the remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Partially cover with a lid and cook for 15 minutes, or until the lentils and potato are cooked through.
3. Taste test, add more salt and pepper to taste, and add more water depending on how you like the consistency of your soup. Garnish, and enjoy!
Sourced from Pick Up Limes website.
• caramelized onions
• chili flakes
• fresh parsley
31 To report mould in your home, please contact our maintenance hotline on 1300 424 573.
Do you have a recipe you would like to share? Send your recipe to us at chlconnect@chl.org.au
