In light of the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic, Argyle Housing wishes to assure you that we will continue to open our offices, and we are here to support you through this. We will endeavour to support all clients impacted by COVID-19 to manage rent payments, arrears and non-rent payments by reviewing your situation, putting in place reasonable payment plans, and not seeking eviction.
Argyle Housing will prioritise the health and wellbeing of our Staff, Clients, Visitors, and Contractors as directives from the Australian Health Department continue to inform how we address your needs.
This means that at times our service will need to adapt and adjust as the best of medical information is presented to our team. We understand that at times, changes in our procedure will cause stress and inconvenience.
As a result, we request your understanding and patience in this regard so that we can get the best possible outcomes to address your needs.
Argyle Housing’s priority at this time is to ensure that all of our Clients sustain their homes. We know that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, having a home has never been more important. So paying your rent is an important step in maintaining your home. If you are having rent taken out through Centrelink deductions, this will not change. If your circumstances change, please talk to your Tenancy Officer to organise a rent review.
For our social housing Clients, where rent is assessed based on income, we will not include Coronavirus Supplements, Special Payments or the Government Stimulus Payment as assessable income. This means many Clients will have more money in their household budget to meet expenses whilst continuing to pay social housing rent.
If paying by cash, please go into a Commonwealth Bank or use their online facilities to do a direct deposit
BSB: 062 511
Account number: 10186391
Account name: Argyle Community Housing Ltd
Payment reference: [Tenancy Reference Number]
Post or email rent review forms to Argyle Housing. Email: rentreview@argylehousing.com.au
Maintenance requests call 1300 274 953 or
After Hours emergencies 1300 850 451
As the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to evolve and impact a large number of countries around the world, with cases identified in NSW and other parts of Australia, Argyle Housing wanted to share with you some important information about the steps we’re taking to minimise the risk of exposure in our local communities.
Our greatest priority at this time is the health and safety of all our team members, visitors, contractors, our valued Clients and residents, and the broader community.
We are actively following all health and travel advice issued by the Australian Government, including mandatory isolation periods for all team members returning from international travel. We are also ensuring our team is supported with clear health and hygiene protocols within each office, as well as providing the information and support for team members that need to stay at home if they are unwell for any reason.
Argyle Housing has created an extension to our Business Continuity Plan that outlines the Process and Policy for responding to COVID-19. We will continue to review the situation and provide updates as required to our staff, tenants and contractors about the changing situation and their responsibilities.
Please call your local Argyle Housing office to make an appointment if you need to visit us.
Please ensure that you continue to pay your rent and if you are in arrears, call your Tenancy Officer to make arrangements to pay these off.
If we all follow good hygiene practices, we can help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
The best way to protect yourself from COVID-19 is the same way you would protect yourself from catching the flu or other respiratory illness:
Adapted from NSW Health- Protect Yourself: www.health.nsw.gov.au
We are taking the necessary steps, under the recommendation of NSW Health, to prevent the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus. In doing so, we are implementing a three-question pre-screening process for all staff, contractors and visitors at our Argyle Housing offices and community housing sites to prevent people who are infected or at a higher risk of infection from entering these sites.
If you answer YES to any of these three questions, to ensure the safety of our tenants and staff, please do not visit an Argyle Housing office or site. If you are unsure or require more information, please contact your Tenancy Officer, Maintenance Officer or speak to a staff member.
We ask for your full support with this, and suggest that if you are expecting a visitor, that you share these safety pre-screening questions above with them prior to their arrival, to avoid their access being restricted upon entry.
The success of this prevention strategy means we must work together to protect our community. This situation is changing rapidly, and we value your feedback.
Please don’t rely on rumours or social media.
You can find frequently updated COVID-19 resources on the Australian Government Department of Health website, please click on the links below.
What you need to know about COVID-19
Click here for information on COVID-19 from the Australian Government Department of Health
Who needs to isolate?
Click here for information on who needs to isolate from the Australian Government Department of Health
If you develop flu like symptoms such as: a fever, dry cough, shortness of breath, chills, body aches or a sore throat, seek medical advice by calling your general practitioner and if they are not able to speak with you, you can call Health direct on: 1800 022 222
This is a situation that, as a community housing provider, and as a community, we have never experienced.
We are working daily to plan services with government agencies and with support partners to create systems to make sure you will be able to access the support and care you need.
Communications
Do you have access to a working phone in case you become ill or need to ask for help for any reason? If you have a mobile phone, is your mobile phone bill paid and up to date?
Income
If you are in home isolation and your income has been stopped please contact, your Tenancy Officer of your local Argyle Housing office and we can reassess you rent to provide rent relief.
Electricity
Is your electricity bill paid and up to date? If your power bill is in danger of being disconnected from a late payment, please contact your Tenancy Officer for referral or self-refer to the Energy Assistance Program
Food Items
Do you have some long-lasting items such as tinned food, long-life milk, cereal, tinned vegetables, tuna, pasta, rice? Do you need help with these items? If you have not been able to access food items, please contact your Tenancy Action Worker of your local Argyle Housing office for immediate referral.
Medication
Do you have a supply of medication that you regularly need to last you for 14 days? Please contact your GP to make sure your medication is up to date and you have the supply you need.
Are you a single person household?
If you are living alone and would like a daily phone call to check if you are ok during home isolation, please call your Tenancy Officer.
Are you okay?
This is a difficult situation and sometimes we need a little extra support. There is assistance via the phone through the following providers:
Lifeline
provides 24-hour crisis counselling, phone 13 11 14.
MensLine Australia
is a professional telephone support service for Australian men. Call 1300 78 99 78, 24 hours / 7 days a week.
beyondblue
provides support if you are suffering from depression and anxiety Phone 1300 22 4636, 24 hours / 7 days a week.
Emergency contacts
Have you told us your emergency contact in case we cannot contact you?
At Argyle Housing we are committed to working with you in this challenging time. Please contact your housing manager for further information or assistance.
This page will regularly be updated with new information.
NSW Service
Cost of living – savings finder:
www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/cost-living
ACT Government Assitance
Economic Survival Package details
apps.treasury.act.gov.au/budget/covid-19-economic-survival-package
Business.gov.au support line:
13 28 46
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Last updated: 21/01/2021