Welcome

Welcome to the 2019 Annual Report for Argyle Housing.

Mr Terry Downing – Chair Argyle Housing

Welcome to everyone who takes an interest or plays a part in Argyle Housing. The Annual Report for 2018/2019 provides an overview of our business for the past year. Beyond statistics and data, there are stories about the people who make this organisation what it is today – a place that is all about community. Reflecting on the achievements of the last 12 months, it is apparent that none of these would have been possible without the element of respect that we adhere to in all that we do. You will find the theme of respect throughout the report and I hope it resonates with each person on some level.

Respect is a core value of Argyle Housing and one that defines our interactions with others and the basis on which we operate within the workplace and in the wider community. The act of respecting a fellow human being shows that we have regard for their feelings, wishes and rights. Respect has to be earned. We show respect each day by recognising every person’s differing circumstances and being there for them through challenges and successes.

Every tenant has a personal story that defines why they are at this point in their lives. A respectful approach to each individual tenant’s needs allows us to work together to gain successful outcomes.

At Argyle Housing we endeavour to do what we say we’ll do and offer assistance, and respect the abilities of others.

The abilities of our staff in their fields of expertise have earned respect and in many cases, appreciation from tenants and community partners. We work on a regular basis with a diverse array of stakeholders including tenants, businesses, government representatives, charities and community agencies. Our aim is to always be respectful and that in turn builds a solid foundation for long term positive relationships.

Tenant participation within the business has proven to be successful in creating stronger relationships between tenants and Argyle Housing staff. A mutual respect and admiration for each other has led to tenants and staff having clear and open discussions about how to best serve the needs of tenants and the broader community. Through listening to tenants and respecting their ideas, we have been able to directly change the way we approach and manage some of the core business procedures and policies.

This relationship based model ensures that our staff have the ability to step in and assist tenants to create positive change within their lives. Recently Alex Ho, our Tenancy Officer in Ainslie Village, significantly changed a tenant’s life by linking her with dental services. Dental care had been hard to access but Alex was able to help this tenant with the complex forms and processes and assist her in speaking to the relevant people to gain free dental care. Corrective dental work has built this tenant’s confidence, bringing her new opportunities.

Respect within the workplace is integral to building better communication, higher morale, and greater connections, which in turn leads to long working relationships. It also makes employees feel their work is valued and recognised.

I am pleased to announce that this year we have a significant number of staff who have hit milestones of service with Argyle Housing. Six staff members have achieved five years of service, and I am very pleased to acknowledge Michele Ward and Sally Couchman for achieving 10 years of service. This dedication to Argyle Housing is to be commended, but I would also like to thank all of our staff for a successful year.

This success has been demonstrated in Argyle Housing putting forward nominations to all of the six categories in the Powerhousing Australia Awards. These awards provide an opportunity for Argyle Housing to showcase our staff and our organisation’s achievements. These acknowledge the Community Housing Provider sector and the community at large, as well as the difference that PowerHousing members make to the lives of tenants, local communities and our nation.

There are six categories and this year Argyle Housing is pleased to announce the following staff members and their teams have been nominated for:

Category One – Outstanding Achievement Award and Scholarship

Jennifer Chapman, Team Leader – Griffith, Young and Yass

Category Two – Rising Star

Madeleine Napolitano, Team Leader – Humanitarian Settlement Program

Wollongong, Canberra, Wagga Wagga and Albury

Category Three – Excellence in Tenant Engagement and Social Inclusion

Tenancy Action Workers – Simone Phillips, Megan Mason, Sally Phillips, Alana Brown, Alarna Thomson, Jamie-Lee Sturgiss, Pema Sedon, Kerryn Bishop

Category Four – Project Leadership and Innovation

Older Women in Housing – Justin Nyholm, Property and Asset Services Manager

Category Five – Team Award

ACT team – Cherie Tizzoni, Pema Sedon, Alex Ho, Lauren Stewart, Julie Macie, Nicole Whatford, Dean Montgomery

Category Six – Business Partner Award

Australian Red Cross, the Humanitarian Settlement Program and Argyle Housing

Award winners will be announced at the PowerHousing Member Exchange Dinner and Awards Ceremony on 26 November 2019 at the National Museum of Australia, Canberra.

The success of Argyle Housing also depends on the respect we have gained over the years with the broader communities in which we serve and thrive. Without our ongoing relationships with government at local, state and federal levels, support services, private developers and local businesses, Argyle Housing would not be able to provide the range of housing services that we offer tenants. As a business, we are growing and we rely on these relationships to build better communities for our tenants.

Wagga Wagga is a regional city in which we have a range of housing options for tenants. The expected growth in population is 100,000 more people by 2032. To assist in the projected growth, Argyle Housing is working with the broader community on the Tolland Gardens project.

Tolland Gardens is our long term housing goal where we are connecting local councils, state government, property developers, support services and the federal government to create a model community within Wagga Wagga that is the right mix of private, affordable and social housing. The revitalisation of Tolland Gardens will create an environment where people feel respected and safe within their community. We are very excited about this project and the opportunities it brings to connect the relevant parties to iron out problems and find solutions to the range of issues that building a new community housing project brings.

Business partnerships are essential so we can continue to grow Argyle Housing and offer more safe and secure housing options to people in need. The partnership between Red Cross and Argyle Housing plays a vital part in managing the Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP). This program offers support to refugees and humanitarian entrants into Australia by providing safe housing and building the skills and knowledge they need to become self-reliant, respected and active members of the Australian community. Red Cross partnered with Argyle Housing and won the five year tender to deliver humanitarian programs.

Samir Aziz Ali and his family are an example of how the HSP has helped show a level of respect and care for this family’s needs in their pursuit of freedom from persecution for their cultural beliefs. Samir Aziz Ali and his family fled to Iraq, where they lived for four years in a refugee camp. It was from Iraq that Samir, who has two children with disabilities, was assisted to come to Australia. Samir has said that having a home in Australia means that they are free and living without discrimination. It does not matter whether you were born here or whether you immigrated here, we are all equal and respected members of the community.

The partnership of Red Cross and Argyle Housing is very important for the success of housing security for the incoming entrants to Australia. During 2018/19, the HSP housed 1,099 individuals in 223 families, with Wagga Wagga housing 429 individuals. This is the first time that a Community Housing Provider is sourcing accommodation in partnership with a large multinational company.

This year we welcomed Tracey Wadsworth and Julian Sawicki to the Argyle Housing Board. They bring a range of experience with them from their long careers in community housing, finance, property, risk management and human resources. Their contributions to date have been valuable and we look forward to a successful long term relationship with them both.

We also appointed Trevor Fair to the position of Argyle Housing Patron. Trevor is a well-known face at Argyle Housing having served on the board for 10 years before retiring in 2018.

As a member and past president of the Bowral-Mittagong Rotary Club, Trevor is committed to helping bring about positive change in the community and lending a helping hand when required.

Finally we would like to thank Pamela Edwards for her valued contribution to the Argyle Housing Board. Pamela was appointed in April 2012 and brought with her extensive business and legal experience in Australia, the UK and Europe. She has also served the community on the boards of Australian arts organisations.

I thank all the employees, tenants, community partners and board members who have made this year such a success.