CHAIRMAN MESSAGE PAUL HOWLETT
The turbulent events of 2020 have demonstrated that safe, secure and affordable housing is absolutely vital to securing the health and wellbeing of every Australian. Here at Evolve Housing, our team works tirelessly to create more housing and support our residents, and I am very proud to present our recent achievements to you in this report. There has long been a pressing need for more
Our membership in Centacare Evolve Housing (CEH)
community housing in Australia and the global
in Tasmania has enabled us to extend our reach and
outbreak of COVID-19 in early 2020 has exacerbated
provide more housing in a state that desperately
this need and highlighted underlying weaknesses and
needs it. CEH was established in 2014, and since
inequalities in our country’s housing system. While this
then has acquired a portfolio of 1377 properties and
is a difficult time for all Australians, I am confident that
$81M in equity. It has become one of Tasmania’s most
Evolve Housing will be able to play a meaningful role in
successful community housing providers, regularly
stimulating the economy and creating more suitable,
being chosen to manage state government housing
reasonably priced housing in response to the crisis.
and programs, and has an excellent Strategic Plan in place to facilitate even more growth.
In February 2020, we updated our Strategic Plan to ensure that it remains relevant to our operating
In NSW, our joint venture with fellow community
environment. Our four main goals are to achieve
housing provider Pacific Link Housing has allowed
sustainable growth, enhance business practice and
us to deliver quality homes in Roselands and the
capacity, provide quality homes and services, and
Central Coast, including a newly completed project
improve social outcomes for our clients. We are aiming
in Canton Beach.
to provide housing assistance to more than 10, 000 people by 2023.
With a strong plan guiding our progress, great partnerships in place, and a devoted team of
While our goals are ambitious, they are backed by
professionals working for us, Evolve Housing has
a solid, detailed and realistic plan that outlines the
been able to achieve a lot during the past financial
actions we must take to achieve our objectives.
year. I have no doubt that this success will continue
One of the main drivers of our growth is our expansion
in 2020–2021, and I look forward to working hard
outside the metropolitan Sydney area into regional
alongside my fellow Directors and Evolve Housing staff
NSW and even interstate.
to deliver more homes and support for those in need.
We also recently completed a housing project in Newcastle. We have been able to achieve this expansion due to productive, mutually beneficial partnerships with other organisations who have resources and knowledge that complement our own.
Paul Howlett, Chair, Evolve Housing |9
