WA news

L-R: Justine Colyer – RISE CEO, Garry Ellender - CHL WA State Manager, and Murray Dixon – CHL tenant at the Bill Buddy Launch.

WA update

New app launched to assist CHL residents save money on utilities

Fifty CHL tenants in Western Australia will take part in a pilot program that will see them trial the new Bill Buddy App until mid-2021.

The App has been designed to help users measure, monitor, compare and reduce their consumption of energy and utility bills. It has been funded by Lotterywest and developed by social enterprise, ClimateClever, on behalf of the Rise Network’s consortium of not-for-profit housing providers.

10 News First Perth spoke with CHL tenant, Murray Dixon about the program.

CHL is proud to be part of this innovative technological solution, which will assist our residents to help them manage and reduce their utility expenses and provide them with extra disposable income to live a comfortable and fulfilling life.

Want to sign up for Bill Buddy? Simple! Email infowa@chl.org.au to find out more, or access the online App via www.billbuddy.org.

The App is available for Apple and Android devices and it’s free to download. Search for Bill Buddy and look for these pictures:

Meet CHL tenant, Murray Dixon

After 30 years of working as a civil engineer with the Water Corporation of WA, Murray decided he wanted to set his family up with a worry-free life.

Specialising in hydraulics in the sewerage and water supply area, he then went into land development with a consultancy, where he expanded on his skillset. And when a long-time colleague suggested they start an engineering business of their own; it was an offer Murray could not refuse.

That was 2005 and when WA’s construction boom was on the incline in 2008 so too was Murray’s business. But after five years, Murray’s business partner decided to walk-away from the firm leaving Murray and his wife with next to nothing. A similar situation happened with another business partner in 2015 and he was left with nothing and had to go bankrupt.

Murray was devastated and says he took time off to reflect so he could acknowledge, forgive, and accept the situation he was in.

When a couple of friends found out about Murray’s situation, they offered him and his wife help. One friend offered them a house to get back on their feet and the second friend, a car so they could get around.

For several months, Murray searched for a home but found that, especially now as aged pensioners, private rentals were unaffordable. CHL takes our responsibility as a landlord seriously and this includes ensuring safe homes for our tenants. Over the next few weeks all tenants will be contacted for inspections of safety components of their properties, this includes both residual currency devices (RCD) and smoke alarm testing and will be carried out by a licenced electrician. Our tenants at Fitzgerald Street will also have inspections of fire safe entry doors to each unit. These will be inspected by a CHUBB fire So, in May 2016, Murray registered for housing with the Department of Communities, then known as the State Housing Commission, and in July 2018 was offered a two-bedroom unit in Perth from CHL.

“Without going home and checking in with the wife, I said yes we will take it,” he laughs. “She came and had a look at it and of course she fell in love with it immediately as well. All our furniture fits in here and we love it!

“From being homeless to being permanently homed is fantastic.

“We will be here forever and that is so calming and grateful and just makes us so thankful. “I don’t know where we’d be if we didn’t have community housing.”

Since having a place to make their own, Murray and his wife have been able to spend quality time with their family and community enjoying their retirement and once every now and again when they have saved the money, order in from their favourite

What’s new/Office announcements

local Chinese takeaway. representative. Tenants will also be invited to attend a fire evacuation drill training, again to be carried out by a CHUBB fire representative.

We hope that all inspections are quick and do not cause too much inconvenience. Tenants are asked to please make access available for the contractors to complete works. We will ensure contractors communicate with you prior to attending and if you have any queries please contact our office.