After joining Argyle Housing in July 2022 as General Manager Operations, I can safely say while it has been a busy year it’s also been rewarding one with the team achieving great outcomes.

In July 2022 we rolled out a new structure for the Operations Team, streamlining our service delivery so that we can provide outstanding customer service to our Clients.  Throughout the year, Carolyn Doherty our CEO and I were privileged on meeting and getting to know our Clients across all of our regions and getting a real understanding the needs of our communities. Our Client’s feedback is very important to us and the strong theme coming out of these forums was community connections, and for our Clients to have a voice and input on how Argyle Housing engages with our Clients and communities.

We have listened to our Client’s feedback which led to us appointing a Community Engagement Officer Jasmina Kustec. Jasmina is joining us in September 2023 and brings a wealth of experience in the community engagement space that spans over eight years while working for SGCH in numerous Client and community facing roles. Jasmina’s priority will be to work in collaboration with our Client Service Specialist Team to develop a community engagement framework that will include a community engagement plan as well as yearly calendar so that it is easy for our Clients to know what is on and how they can be part of it. Jasmina will work closely with our Clients and communities to develop events and forums with the input of our Clients.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our teams for their hard work and commitment over the last 12 months, your strong values and ethics that align with Argyle Housing and our vision is the reason we have been able to achieve great outcomes for our Clients and our community that we work in. I would also like to acknowledge Cherie Tizzoni, Client Services Manager and Angela Kustec Assets Manager, they both demonstrate and live Argyle Housing’s Values every day. Their leadership and support are shown through their guidance and ability to build capacity within the teams.

Cherie Tizzoni – commenced her employment with Argyle Housing on the 2 January 2018, in the position of Team Leader, ACT. Prior to her appointment Cherie worked with NSW Family & Community Services as a Child Protection Caseworker, with a BA Social Work from Charles Darwin University and a decade of working in management in the private sector. Cherie very quickly became a highly valued member of the Argyle Housing team and was instrumental in breaking down barriers for Argyle Housing in the sector, building relationships and trust with service providers and the ACT government that helped to influence service delivery and investment in programs for our clients. During her time with Argyle Housing Cherie has also been seconded to the Compliance Manager role for 12 months before being appointed to the position of Operations Manager (Housing Services) now the Client Services Manager and was very instrumental in the role out of our realignment.

Angela Kustec – joined Argyle Housing in May 2023, in the position of Asset and Maintenance Manager following from Michael Maldonado’s departure. Angela has brought wealth of experience from her previous roles in community housing. With 14 years of working in the social housing sector, Angela has knowledge and experience leading various customer facing roles as well as collaborating with other areas of the business to ensure that the level of customer experience is exceptional and meets the needs of the individual. Angela’s previous roles have seen her responsible for organisations delivery of Asset Management, Repairs and Maintenance including managing Projects. Angela has made an easy and smooth transition and has already had a positive impact on the delivery of our Asset services to our clients.

Key Achievements

Major Works Program

In December 2022, NSW Government announced funding for a Major Works Program similar to the stimulus works that have been done in the past. In late February 2023, Argyle Housing were excited to be approved for $2,740,000 of the funding available to CHPs. The Asset and Maintenance team worked tirelessly to deliver a total of 191 upgrade works to 54 homes in Bowral, Campbelltown, Goulburn, Wagga Wagga, Yass and Young in just over 3 months.

NSW Government provided the funding to complete Planned Maintenance works on Land and Housing Corporation properties that are managed by Argyle Housing via a 20 year agreement. This funding in addition to our annual Asset and Maintenance spend came to a total of over $8M.

The Asset and Maintenance team are grateful for the opportunity to be able to deliver these upgrades to our valued clients. With hope that through improving the quality of these homes will in turn contribute to the wellbeing of our clients.

Multi Trade Contractor

In order to align our Asset services with the Community Housing Sector, Argyle Housing engaged with a multi trade contractor to deliver works from Southwest Sydney through to Goulburn. Request for Tender (RFT) was issued to the four pre-qualified tenderers in October RFT closed on 14 November 2022.  In March Board approved award of the General Maintenance Works Contract for to SR Construction Services as per the Community Housing approved Schedule of Rates for a fixed term of 3 years. Many of the contractors that previously worked with Argyle Housing have transitioned to SR Construction and are delivering the same quality of works that Argyle Housing clients are accustomed to.

System improvements

As of April 2023 Maintenance Manager merged with another organisation and seized their operations permanently, following this we successfully transitioned back to MRI for all of our reactive and responsive maintenance with no disruption to the delivery of our services to our Clients. We have also engaged BNG Conserve who will assist Argyle Community Housing to develop a systematic framework to ensure a consistent due diligence process is implemented across the business with demonstrable record keeping for future audit requirements. Conserve delivers a managed contractor management solution, specialising in construction, trades and facility compliance services across a broad range of industry sectors to efficiently meet, measure and monitor our contractor prequalification and ongoing compliance objectives.

Client Services Key Achievements

In the last year, our teams have undergone training and development in the areas of mental health first aid, trauma informed practice, debt collection, introductions to community housing and many more role related training sessions. Of our biggest achievements to date is taking a holistic approach to our service delivery, that is trauma informed and client focused. Whilst we understand that we work to provide quality homes to our Clients, we also have some strict policies, procedures, and legislation that we operate within. I would like to congratulate our team on being able to balance this part of the role with delivering such positive outcomes for our Clients in general, and the organisation. We care about the people we work for and it is great to see the teams getting out into the communities in which we work, and building relationships with our Clients that will last throughout their time with Argyle Housing.

CEO sleepout 2022 + 2023 – June

Argyle Housing’s CEO Carolyn Doherty represented the organisation and raised much needed funds in St Vincent De Paul 2022 CEO sleepout. For 2023 there is an Argyle Housing team of five undertaking the sleepout in Canberra this Thursday 22nd June 2023. This is one example of Argyle Housing getting involved with our local support partners to ensure we are contributing to ending homelessness in our communities in which we work. Tasi, Sudha, Milan, Carolyn and Cherie slept the night in Canberra, immersing ourselves in the experience, one night of discomfort could not compare to the lived experiences our clients have and face on a daily basis. Homelessness and rough sleeping are topics our team and organization are extremely passionate about which is why we provide not just houses, but HOMES.

Over the last year our teams have participated in many client engagement events across our geographical footprint. Some key highlights are the following:

1. Ainslie Village Monthly BBQ – At Ainslie Village our team supports a monthly BBQ and event where our community support partners are invited on site to engage with and build rapport with our mutual clients. This event is always a success with a big turnout.
2. Client Forums – These have been held in both 2022 and 2023 and attended to by our CEO Carolyn Doherty and our General Manager Operations Milan Ostojic. These events bring our clients together and give them a forum to voice their concerns or good news stories. The Client Services Teams all participated on the other end of the phone or computer, or even getting involved in preparation of the forums and RSVP management.
3. Christmas in July Conder
4. Wear it Yellow – a day to support the Childrens Ground who are First Nations not-for-profit organization, they assist in personal learning, health, and cultural development plans. We would like to say a big thank you to everyone who donated and participated on the day.
5. NAIDOC week events in each Argyle Housing location. Inclusive of a Mural painted at our Common Ground Gungahlin reception area to promote our acknowledgement of the traditional custodians of the land, and hopefully encourage a culturally recognized and safe space.
6. Reconciliation Action Plan launch events in each of our biggest locations including Griffith, Wagga, ACT, Sydney and Bowral.
7. Common Ground Breakfasts – Argyle Housing and Northside Community Services each put in to host a breakfast informally each Friday. This is an opportunity to connect with our clients, ensure they have a good meal before the weekend and share stories and support.
8. Floriade ACT trip- Garden Competition in Sept the SWS site to where we had a few clients participate in displaying their beautiful gardens overall winner received a $100 bunnings voucher. Christmas Ball Decorating with 2 Indigenous Artist’s, where families attended and had fun decorating their Christmas Balls to hang on their trees and we shared a Pizza lunch with tenants, there was artists all around with both staff and tenants showing off their artistic flare.
9. Scholarships – many of our clients take up the Wendy Middleton scholarship funding to help in advancing their futures and careers. Some studying community services and others doing IT or technical related studies.
10. Christmas Giving Tree and Food Drive – Argyle Housing’s annual food and hamper collection event as well as the giving tree was very successful in 2022 with all of our offices participating and obtaining donations for our clients and our communities to enjoy their Christmas. Donations ranged from food, clothes, toys, gifts, vouchers, and hampers. Thank you to all our staff and community and supports for your contributions each year.
11. Mother’s day in Claymore Sydney – our team from the SWS office spent a day celebrating Mother’s Day in Claymore with our community, clients and support partners. It was a wonderful day to acknowledge and recognize the role and strength of mothers in the community and thank them for all they do.
12. Argyle Housing’s Reconciliation Action Plan – Innovate – Argyle Housing commenced working towards our innovate reconciliation action plan 23-25. We have dedicated workshop members who have put in the hard yards to create this meaningful and important document that will guide the work we do every day, taking a step closer to reconciliation on our journey as community sector workers and individuals. On the 28th June 2023 Argyle Housing held a launch event in 5 different locations in which we work. Across these locations we had a big turnout, with some very important artists, guest speakers, and insights shared into what reconciliation means to us, or you. This action plan is something that Argyle Housing is extremely passionate about living in our everyday work, and ensuring we are working towards a journey of healing, and reconciliation. All staff and offices closed for the participation of Argyle as a united front and really showing our commitment and ‘One Argyle’ approach. Thank you to all of our employee’s, the working group, and our communities and clients for supporting us every step of the way, without you all this would not have been possible, and it is such a proud and significant milestone for Argyle Housing.

Claymore relocation project

In 2021 and 2022 Argyle Housing’s Housing Access Team and our Client Support teams worked really hard to relocate a large number of clients from Claymore into alternative social/affordable housing. This relocation is part of a wider project known as the Claymore renewal project. We were successfully able to rehouse all our clients within stage 11 of the renewal of the suburb of Claymore. We have had approximately 6-8 months break and we are now in the beginning phases of the next stage for 2023 in which we need to relocate only 24 households. This is a project that is really contributing to dissolving dense social housing estates. Giving the suburb the development, it deserves due to the aged stock client were residing in, and recreating the portfolio within the suburb to be social, private rental, privately owned, investments and affordable housing. This approach is hugely successful and removes stigma, in particular with visually seeing run down social housing and being able to associate these properties with social housing , moving towards blind tenure housing where rightfully no one can differentiate between private and social housing. This is such a needed project and initiative in so many older suburbs across Australia.

Stock Transfer

Stock transfer from DCJ of 43 Social Housing Properties in the suburb of Rosemeadow. This was a collaborative transfer between the Department of Communities and Justice and Argyle Housing which was completed in October 2022.

Market Street Lodge Goulburn

Within the last twelve months Argyle Housing have noticed a gap within the Southern Highlands and Goulburn region for short-medium term housing for those who are facing homelessness or rough sleeping. Due to this we entered into an agreement with an owner of Market Street Lodge in Goulburn. This pilot project is aimed at filling a gap of crisis or short-term housing in the area for those waiting on their long term homes. Market Street in Goulburn offers 38 rooms with shared facilities for both men and women to have a safe warm place to sleep and rent, whilst they work with our friendly staff on achieving a goal of long term, secure housing.

ACT Procurement – Ainslie Lodge

Argyle Housing submitted a Grant for the ongoing funding of Ainslie Lodge in the ACT. This is a crisis accommodation model that is quite unique, and allows for short term accommodation for men 18 years and older, who are at risk of, or experiencing homelessnessWe We were awarded the deed of Grant for management of this project, from 1st July 2023- 30th July 2024 with the opportunity to extend this for a period of up to three years.

There are some changes to this grant being that Argyle Housing will now be funded to provide a full time Ainslie Lodge worker to the site, which historically has been a part time role. The full-time role brings with it a lot of exciting training opportunities, and also the capacity to really support our most vulnerable clients.  We can focus on networking and building skills in the community to assist with exit pathways, which will also be supported by the individualised housing plans our clients can create, as well as more time for the minimum stay, which was previously 7 days and is now a minimum of 14 days with an extension possible until or over 28 days. Argyle Housing and the committed ACT Team have experienced great success to date with running what was initially the Winter Lodge, then the Ainslie Lodge, by supporting more than 600 individual men since 2020. These men were sleeping rough, homeless or at risk of homelessness and this was a response from the ACT Government, originally also a pilot program, to ensure these men had a safe place to sleep during a very uncertain time.

The success of the crisis shelter at Ainslie Lodge has led to further ongoing funding and given Argyle Housing staff exposure to working directly within the homelessness sector and allowed us to contribute in this space to reducing homelessness in Australia.

We are very grateful to everyone who has supported us, our Clients, and our community at Ainslie village during this time and in particular St Vincent De Paul, The Red Cross Roadhouse, GIVIT, Catholic Care, and Onelink. Thanks to Minister Rebecca Vasarotti for visiting the team at the Ainslie Lodge and showing a genuine interest in learning and understanding how the program works and the impacts it has had.

The Good Works Garden Opening in October 2022

Argyle Housing were approached by Jane Crawley who owns Dirty Janes in both the Southern Highlands and ACT. Jane had an idea for a long narrow unused piece  of land to be used on her site in Fyshwick ACT and contribute to greening up the industrial estate of Fyshwick. Argyle Housing were on board and partnered with St Vincent De Paul to transform this barren patch of grass into a unique garden that will foster community inclusion, social isolation decreases and be a place for the community, Clients and volunteers to learn new skills. SVDP and Argyle Housing worked together to obtain grants from community garden grant ACT to get it build and up and running, and a Queen’s Jubilee grant to plant the tree canopy for shade. Any excess produce will be donated to SVDP Blue Door located at Ainslie Village to contribute to helping give back to the community.

Support Services

Formal Memorandum of Understanding with Murra Mia. In 2023 Argyle Housing entered into a formal MOU with Murra Mia Aboriginal Tenancy Advocacy Services. One of only two community housing providers in NSW to engage in this pilot project aimed to improve the housing outcomes for Aboriginal clients. This is to ensure our Aboriginal Clients are supported by a culturally identified and informed organisation when it comes to sustaining their homes and tenancies as well as any work we may do with our communities in the space. We are grateful and excited for the work we will do together and the support from Murra Mia in this space is so very much appreciated.

Community Connections

Our Client Services Team has not hesitated to get involved in local community events this last 12 months from NAIDOC days, local interagency days, R U OK Day, Harmony day, Sorry Day, International Women’s Day and many more. Some of our Housing Access Specialist, Client Services team members and Rent Services team members attended the Mount Annan Botanical gardens and connect with and support our local community inclusive of the local Aboriginal Land Council, Department of Communities and Justice, Southwest Sydney Aboriginal Health, Uniting, Anglicare and Wellways. Through attending events like this We were able to get a step closer to great organisations and programs such SWSLAD Aboriginal health. They run a program that assists with Indigenous individuals with drug related issues. We look forward to also working closer with these critical supports to set up workshops and support programs directly with Argyle Housing and our mutual Clients.

Argyle Housing staff were also able to meet and connect with Wellways this organisation provides a support network for Clients who are carers for people on Disability Support Pension, such services like looking after their households and cleaning services, financial advice and linking all with our services we provide here at Argyle Housing as one we are excited to continue to connect more for those that are in  need to Wellways.

Some of our Rent Services Specialists and Client Support team members have also attended International Women’s Day 2023 which is a global day in recognition of the women’s rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. Argyle Housing staff were honoured to celebrate the day with other women and participating in critical discussions and topics such as women forging change, building workplaces where women thrive and applauding equality for women in sports. Thank you to Jade and Luisa for showing up and representing Argyle Housing for such an inspiring and educational forum.

In May 2023 some of our dedicated Housing Access Specialists attended the Annual Uniting Care Youth Homelessness Day. This was a great day for Argyle Housing to build on our networks in the Youth space but to also show our support and dedication in this area as we manage the Premier’s Youth Initiative focussing on young people leaving out of home care, and also our Together Home Program in partnership with Uniting. It’s always nice to get out of the office and show our support and build our knowledge base on local offerings. Thank you, Jaylene and Tony, for taking the time out of your day to show up for such a worthy cause.

The 2023 Project report offers a comprehensive overview of Argyle Housing’s significant accomplishments and advancements through the year.

We’ve made significant leaps forward in our commitment to building safe, sustainable homes, working in close cooperation with a wide range of stakeholders. From Housing Providers and Councils to private developers, church-based groups, and co-operatives, our collaborative approach has been a central pillar of our success. Our dedication to providing affordable housing within our communities remains unwavering.

Despite the numerous challenges, our team persistently pursued our goals, resulting in the successful execution of several key projects. These projects not only added invaluable assets to our housing portfolio but also reinforced our reputation as a reliable provider of affordable housing solutions.

Looking ahead, we’ve mapped out an exciting roadmap for future success. This includes a variety of development initiatives aimed at expanding our reach and positively impacting even more communities. These initiatives will be made possible through strategic partnerships, innovative housing solutions, and a deep understanding of community needs.

Reflecting on our journey thus far, the 2023 Project report serves as a testament to our team’s dedication, resilience, and passion for creating meaningful change. We invite you to join us on this ongoing journey, as we continue to advance our mission of creating a positive impact through our development initiatives.

The projects that have been successfully completed are:

CHIF Project

Project Details

Argyle Housing were successful in receiving $2.6 million in funding from NSW Department of Communities & Justice under their Community Housing Innovation Fund towards a mixed social and affordable housing project.

Dwellings: Direct Acquisition of six dwellings comprising of:

3 x 3 bed x 2 bath dwellings and 3 x 1 bed x 2 bath dwellings

Location: Liverpool and Campbelltown areas

Project Completed: Jan 2024

John Street, Kooringal

$1.15 million of the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) funding was deployed for direct acquisition of properties in the Wagga Wagga region.

Dwellings: Acquisition of two houses comprising of two and three bedroom dwellings.

Location: Wagga Wagga

Project Completed: Jan 2024

Projects currently underway

Griffin Green Affordable Housing Project

The Griffin Green Affordable Housing is located within Pioneer Housing Estate in Griffith. The project represents a partnership between Griffith City Council and Argyle Housing with $6 million of Commonwealth funding secured from the NSW Government Building Better Regions Fund.

Argyle Housing and Council have both allocated $3 million to support the $12 million project which has been developed to provide new affordable housing options in Griffith. Close to the Griffith City Centre, The Griffin Green Affordable Housing Project will create 20 new medium density affordable rental housing units and 42 new housing lots in South Griffith.

The Affordable Housing project will also see Dave Taylor Park transformed to include space for a new Community Hub, a basketball court, playground equipment, and 4,798 square metres of open green recreational space. Cul de sac roadways are being connected to improve access throughout the neighbourhood.

The Griffin Green Transformation Project aligns strongly with the Griffith City Council Housing Strategy released in 2019. It will create jobs, support the construction industry, meet an identified housing need, and help to lead the Griffith community through the post COVID-19 recovery period.

Affordable Housing Units

The project will create 20 new medium density affordable units. These are mixed two and 3-bedroom townhouses which will be made available for key workers in Griffith, who apply for the rentals meeting the Affordable Housing criteria.

Ten percent (10%) of the affordable rental dwellings will be prioritised for First Nations people key workers.

Exciting Progress Made on Griffin Green Affordable Housing Project

The Argyle Housing and Griffith City Counci’’s Griffin Green Project reached a major milestone in June 2023. With 20 townhouses underway, civil works in progress, and plans for the remediation of Dave Taylor Park, this project is making great strides.

Carolyn Doherty, CEO of Argyle Housing, expressed her satisfaction with the projec’’s progress.“”We can already see the 20 townhouses taking shape and significant civil construction taking place, including stormwater management and extended pavements”” said Ms. Doherty.“”W’’re thrilled with the progress and excited to bring the community together through the new Community Hub””

Residents are advised that Dave Taylor Park will be temporarily closed after the school holidays to prepare for an impressive new playground and facilities. The upgrades will include public toilets, a basketball court with lighting, and a large open green space featuring an Indigenous Garden.

Argyle Housing will also be constructing a new Community Hub. The site will be fenced off towards the end of 2023 and residents are urged to avoid the area.

Griffith Mayor, Councillor Doug Curran, emphasised that the playground work was planned to minimise disruption to local families.“”We understand the importance of Dave Taylor Park to the community, which is why we are moving quickly to deliver these enhancements”” said Councillor Curran.“”The basketball court and playground equipment design were the result of community consultation, and we ca’’t wait to see our young people enjoying these new facilities””

Argyle Housing and Council are actively exploring options to provide alternative activities for local children while the playground and basketball court are under construction.

Argyle Housing and Griffith City Council would like to extend their gratitude to the community for their cooperation and understanding during these improvements.

Development Details

Type: 20 mixed two and three bedroom units

Location: Griffith, NSW

Status: Construction underway

Proposed Completion: November 2023

Our Region, Our Voice – Regional Youth Investment Program

Argyle Housing and Griffith City Council have been announced as the recipients of $1.479 million in funding from the NSW Government’s ‘Our Region, Our Voice’ Regional Youth Investment Program (RYIP) to develop the green space within Griffin Green.

This will be a vibrant space with a particular focus on an Indigenous interpretation garden and play equipment with ease of access for the existing and new community.

The project is scheduled to commence by Aug 2023 and completed by Jan 2024. It will include community gardens, basketball court, Aboriginal art installation, Indigenous gardens, public access Wi-Fi, exercise equipment and playground all linked to the Community Hub.

Council will remain involved at Griffin Green through maintaining the new basketball court and public park.

RYIP Announcement

$1.479 million for Griffith Youth from Regional Youth Investment Program

Argyle Housing and Griffith City Council have been announced as the recipients of $1.479 million in funding from the NSW Government’s ‘Our Region, Our Voice’ Regional Youth Investment Program to develop the green space within Griffin Green. The placemaking green space project is part of the Griffin Green Affordable Housing development and has been designed to improve the connectivity, engagement, and participation of young people by having youth involved directly in the creation of the space.

Carolyn Doherty, CEO of Argyle Housing said,“”A key feature of the project is for the youth of Griffith to learn essential life skills, improve wellbeing and engage in work ready workshops””

The project will also focus on providing improved access to services such as mental health support and job training opportunities for young people aged 16-24 years old.

In addition to this, Argyle Housing and Griffith City Council have also designed an outdoor recreation area which will be located adjacent to their existing site at Griffin Green Park. This space will provide an opportunity for young people to engage in outdoor activities such as basketball. “”Hence there will also be ongoing consultation in the engagement of local service providers in the delivery of programs and services to young people from the Community Hub”” Ms Doherty said.

Argyle Housing have consulted with the Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council to co-design project components to ensure they are inclusive and representative of the local community. Argyle Housing and Griffith City Council have a strong and ongoing commitment to the engagement and consultation with Wiradjuri people in Griffith in the delivery of Griffin Green Project, which includes this park precinct.

The ‘Our Region, Our Voice’ Regional Youth Investment Program is set to make a real difference for regional youth communities across NSW by giving them access to new resources that can help them reach their potentials. With this funding injection into Griffit’’s youth community, it looks like these young people are well on their way towards achieving great things!

Development Details

Size: 4,798m2

Type: Community Park

Location: Griffith, NSW

Status: Planning and consultation

Proposed Completion: Jan 2024

Community Hub

Throughout the planning phases of the Griffin Green project extensive community consultation was held with the Griffith community and specifically with the residents of ‘Pioneer’ the LAHC, DCJ managed public housing estate that wraps around the project. Residents of this community were extremely vocal about the potential loss of key community facilities through this development. Specifically, the loss of the Alma Bamlett Community Centre and the basketball court. The Community Centre has been essential for Aboriginal families and the provision of services to this community, the basketball court is a critical piece of social infrastructure for young people in the community who use this as a safe space to interact, and as the only recreational space in the suburb.

A commitment was made by Argyle H”usin’ and the Griffith City Council through the consultation phase to replace the Community Centre and the basketball court. These developments are cornerstone projects in the place making for the broader Griffin Green development precinct.

Argyle Housing have committed $1.119 million towards the construction of a Community Hub.

The hub will connect with the local service network providing wrap around services for community partnership with Council and wellbeing initiatives. The community space will be made available for use/hire for community events, and this will be managed through the Griffith Administration Officer onsite.

Development Details

Type: Community Hub

Location: Griffith, NSW

Status: Construction Planning

Proposed Completion: Qtr 1/ 2024

42 Lots Vacant Land – Griffin Green

Argyle Housing is currently working on development options for the 42 vacant lots in the Griffin Green precinct. The 42 housing lots will be a mix of affordable homes to purchase, through shared equity schemes and other options to provide housing for key workers.

Civil Works on the 42 vacant lots have commenced and expected to be completed by September 2023.

Development Details

Type: Land

Location: Griffith, NSW

Status: Civil works commenced and in initial project scoping

190 Wakaden Street, Griffith

Argyle Housing, in partnership with the Griffith City Council, is poised to help alleviate the housing availability crisis in the Riverina with a new development project. Situated near the heart of Griffith, bordered by the NSW Rural Fire Service and Griffith Ambulance Station, the quarter-acre site is set to deliver four affordable housing units to the Griffith community.

This project is a product of the Griffith Housing Strategy adopted in 2019. In line with the strategy, the Griffith City Council generously gifted the land to Argyle Housing shortly after Christmas in the same year. Argyle Housing promptly collaborated with local developers to prepare and submit a Development Application for the construction of four two-story, two-bedroom townhouses.

This project is self funded by Argyle Housing. The planned residential units will be targeted for occupancy by key workers in the Griffith community, reinforcing Argyle Housin’’s commitment to providing affordable housing solutions.

The construction, delegated to local builders, aligns with Argyle Housin’’s commitment to fostering local talent and economic growth. With construction projected to begin in June, the development is on track for completion by the end of 2023 or early 2024, contingent on weather conditions.

This project exemplifies Argyle Housin’’s dedication to championing affordable housing and fostering positive community impact. Through strategic partnerships and unwavering commitment, Argyle Housing continues to shape a promising future for the Griffith community and beyond.

Fast Facts

• Seven star rated affordable housing units
• 1.5km to Service NSW Griffith
• 1.3km to Griffith Base Hospital
• 2.5km to Murrumbidgee Regional High School
• 2.7km to Griffith Public School
• 850m to Shops
• Close to Schools, Cafes, Shops, and Community Facilities

Development Details

Size: 856m2

Type: Four x two storey affordable dwelling units

Location: Griffith, NSW

Status: Construction to commence Aug 2024

Proposed Completion: March 2024

Together Home Program Acquisitions

Together Home Program Acquisitions – $6 million funding

The Together Home Program aims to support over 1,072 people street sleeping across NSW into stable accommodation linked to wrap around support. It is a key initiative in supporting the Premier’s initiative to halve street homelessness by 2025. Argyle Housing works with support providers in Wagga Wagga and Southwest Sydney to provide wrap around support services and manage the tenancies for the Together Home Program Client Portfolio to ensure successful outcomes.

Argyle Housing, renowned for its successful execution of the Together Home Program in Tranches 1 and 2, has once again demonstrated its commitment to providing affordable housing solutions. The Department of Communities and Justice has awarded Argyle Housing $5 million in funding as part of Tranche 3 of the Together Home Program. This significant financial commitment underscores the faith placed in Argyle Housin’’s capable hands.

In addition to the received funding, Argyle Housing pledges an extra $1 million from its National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) resources to this crucial project. This combined investment is anticipated to secure up to 11 additional dwellings for the Together Home Transition Progra’’s clients.

The targeted areas for this expansion are Southwest Sydney and Wagga Wagga, where the need for affordable, quality housing remains high. This initiative reaffirms Argyle Housin’’s unwavering dedication to addressing housing availability issues and its commitment to effecting change in the communities it serves.

The project completion trajectory is April 2024.

About the Together Home Program

The Together Home Program aims to support over 1,072 people street sleeping across NSW into stable accommodation linked to wrap around support. It is a key initiative in supporting the Premier’s initiative to halve street homelessness by 2025. Argyle Housing works with support providers in Wagga Wagga and Southwest Sydney to provide wrap around support services and manage the tenancies for the Together Home Program Client Portfolio to ensure successful outcomes.

Tolland Estate Renewal Project

The NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC) is working with the Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO), the Argyle Consortium (including Argyle Housing, BlueCHP and Birribee Housing) and Wagga Wagga City Council to transform the existing Tolland housing estate in Wagga Wagga to provide for a new mix of modern housing.

The Tolland Renewal Project will see the housing estate in the suburb deliver 500 new mixed-tenure homes across the renewed Tolland Estate. Some 180 of them will be new social housing that is set to fit other affordable and private housing seamlessly.

The NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC), Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO) and the Argyle Consortium have signed an agreement to deliver a 16 per cent increase in new social housing within the Tolland and Duke of Kent Park precincts.

The project works are led by LAHC and involve the development of new vacant lots for sale to the private market and new blocks for social housing. It will also include the development of upgraded and new community infrastructure including roads and open space, to completely revitalise the area, similar to other estate renewal projects being delivered across Sydney and regional NSW.

Tolland Estate Renewal Announcement and Draft Plan for public exhibition

The former Tolland housing estate located in the southern area of Wagga Wagga is set to be transformed, delivering nearly 500 new homes, including more than 250 residences for individuals in need. The announcement was made by the then Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes, Anthony Roberts, who stated that a newly signed agreement between the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC), Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO), and the Argyle Consortium will result in a 16% increase in new social housing within the Tolland and Duke of Kent Park precincts. “Among the almost 500 new mixed-tenure homes to be delivered across the renewed Tolland Estate, approximately 180 will be new social housing that integrates seamlessly with other affordable and private housing”” said Mr. Roberts. The development of the draft masterplan is a collaborative effort between Wagga Wagga City Council and Argyle Consortium, with plans to seek Commonwealth financing from the National Housing and Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC).

The agreement will also require the Argyle Consortium to manage tenancies for Tolland Estate’s existing and future social housing as part of a 20-year-lease, according to the then Minister for Families and Communities, Natasha Maclaren-Jones. “The Consortium will play a significant role in local wrap-around services, assist with tenancy relocations, and be responsible for the delivery of 70 new social homes”” Mrs Maclaren-Jones stated. She added that this blueprint aims to rejuvenate the area with high-quality new housing that people would desire to live in, setting a strong precedent for future renewals across regional NSW.

Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr. Joe McGirr, expressed his delight at the signed agreement and perceived the completion of the Tolland Renewal Project as a significant stride forward. “This project will result in a much-needed revamp of Tolland Estate and new social housing for the city while increasing the supply of more affordable and privately owned dwellings”” he said.

The project works, which will be led by LAHC, will involve the development of new vacant lots for sale to the private market and new lots for social housing. Additionally, the project will include the development of upgraded and new community infrastructure such as roads and open space, completely revitalising the area. This is similar to other estate renewal projects being executed across Sydney and regional NSW.

The Argyle Consortium, comprising of community housing providers Argyle Housing and BlueCHP, and Aboriginal community housing provider Birribee Housing, is a critical component of this project and is expected to play a significant role in its success.

Development Details

Type: Social Renewal Project Partnership

Location: Tolland Housing Estate, Wagga Wagga NSW

Status: Development in planning (with Wagga Wagga City Council and NSW LAHC)

More information and updates on the full project here.

In the wake of our organisational realignment in 2023, we’ve observed a strong upward trend in staff retention. This is a testament to the resilience of our teams and their adaptability to change.

The CHIA Cadet program has proven to be a successful initiative, with two cadets graduating last year and securing ongoing positions within Argyle Housing. We’re thrilled to announce our goal to welcome two more cadets in the coming year, extending our reach to Griffith and Bowral.

In line with our commitment to inclusivity and diversity, we have successfully incorporated wording to support our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) into our employee benefits and job adverts. We believe this will further strengthen our efforts to foster a culturally diverse and respectful workspace.

As part of enhancing our onboarding experience, our People and Culture team, in collaboration with Marketing, has developed a Welcome Kit for all staff, due to be launched in October.

People and Culture Team

Hayley Callanan, an esteemed member of the People and Culture Team at Argyle Housing, joined us in May 2023. Since her arrival, she has contributed significantly to the team’s operations, primarily focusing on the end-to-end recruitment process. Hayley’s dedication and expertise have not only streamlined our hiring practices but also provided robust support to our team. Her meticulous attention to detail and exceptional organisational skills have greatly enhanced her effectiveness in her role. Notably, Hayley took on the challenging task of managing the Client Survey with such proficiency that she received an Acknowledgment of Outstanding Achievement award. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Hayley is a person of varied interests. Her life outside work is beautifully balanced between her family, engaging in house renovations, and indulging in her love for hair and beauty. Hayley’s multifaceted persona enriches her contributions to Argyle Housing, making her an invaluable asset to our team.

Adrienne San’s journey at Argyle Housing began in September 2019 when she joined as an Administration Support Officer. Not long after, she transitioned into People and Culture in April 2020, marking a new phase in her career. Adrienne exemplifies the concept of lifelong learning, having completed her Cert IV in Human Resources Management in February 2023. This certification significantly broadened her understanding of the Human Resources field, further equipping her to excel in her role. Known for her reliable and approachable nature, Adrienne is always just a phone call away, ready to provide assistance where required. When not at work, Adrienne can be found travelling to Sydney, cherishing quality moments with her family. An avid sports enthusiast, she particularly enjoys rugby, rooting for the Springboks team. As someone who harmoniously balances her professional commitments with her personal passions, Adrienne is an important member of the Argyle Housing team.

Headcount by Department

In the Financial Year 2023 (FY23), Argyle Housing reported a modest decrease in its average headcount, compared to the previous year. The average workforce size for the year stood at 76.3 Full-Time Equivalents (FTE), down from the 79 employees reported last year. However, it is important to clarify that these figures represent FTE, not absolute counts. By June 2023, the total absolute headcount is projected at 82 individuals. The majority of our staff, approximately 70%, are committed to Operations, a proportion that has effectively increased since the Rent team, previously under Corporate Services, is now part of Operations. This shift represents Argyle Housing’s commitment to streamline operations and achieve organisational efficiency in delivering affordable housing solutions.

Our data below shows that 26% of Argyle Housing staff are within their probation period due to organisational realignment and external market forces (a lot of movement in the Community Services and NFP industry).

**Age – average age is 44 years old.

First Nations

Two staff who identify as having Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background.

Gender

Our Male to Female ratio is 1:2.85, with 57 as female-identifying staff (68%).

Year-on-Year Comparison – Workforce Demographics

At Argyle Housing, change is often greeted with enthusiasm as it brings opportunities for growth and innovation.

Recently, our IT department welcomed Aaron Christopher, our new Information Systems Support Officer. Aaron will be primarily focusing on supporting the ‘One Argyle’ Team with MRI-related issues, coordinating upgrades, and managing work mobile requests. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role, and we have every confidence that he will be a valuable addition to our team.

A significant milestone in our journey is the celebration of nine years of service by our resident tech guru, Tim Walker-Smith. Tim’s dedication and prowess have been instrumental in our technological advancements. He’s constantly inundated with high volumes of requests, having over 100 open tickets on average. Despite this, Tim has shown remarkable efficiency and commitment by maintaining all equipment and streamlining some external services, saving Argyle Housing thousands of dollars.

His collaboration with our IT providers has been exceptional, reflecting our core values of teamwork and unity. His technical expertise and proactive approach have not only helped us in resolving issues promptly but also in anticipating and mitigating potential challenges.

Recently, Tim and Aaron have embarked on an equipment audit designed to ensure optimum functionality and cost-effectiveness. Their strategic approach to audit, assessing the performance of the equipment, and identifying potential areas of savings, is indicative of their forward-thinking approach. They have been diligently working on this task, ensuring every piece of equipment is functioning at its peak, and identifying opportunities where cost savings can be made.

In summary, we are proud of the wins that our IT team has achieved. The recent changes and the unwavering commitment of our technology specialists, Tim and Aaron, ensure Argyle Housing stays at the forefront of technological efficiency. This team’s work is paramount in keeping Argyle Housing operational and efficient, and we anticipate many more years of continued success. Their tenacity and dedication underscore our commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and innovation in Argyle Housing.

Argyle Housing IS/IT Strategy Development Report

In April 2023, Argyle Housing commissioned Grant Thornton to assist in the development of an Information Systems/Technology (IS/IT) strategy tailored to our organisation’s unique growth and infrastructure needs. Argyle Housing boasts a diverse portfolio, managing over 2,600 homes across New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, with recent expansion into Victoria. These properties include residences owned and managed by Argyle Housing, those managed on behalf of Housing NSW, ACT Directorate of Community Services, other community housing providers, and leasehold properties overseen for private owners.

Currently, Argyle Housing provides a wide spectrum of housing services to more than 4,500 tenants and has experienced substantial growth in the past decade. However, it has been identified that the use of information systems and technology within the organisation has not evolved at the same pace as its expansion.

To address this, Argyle Housing has developed a strategic digital transformation roadmap set to be executed over the forthcoming three years. The roadmap encompasses four primary goals: supporting continued growth, enhancing client experiences, optimising internal efficiencies, and improving cybersecurity and risk management measures. This IS/IT strategy is a testament to Argyle Housing’s commitment to adapt and innovate in an increasingly digital landscape.

Major Works Program

In December 2022, NSW Government announced funding for a Major Works Program like the stimulus works that have been done in the past. In late February 2023, Argyle Housing were excited to be approved for $2,740,000 of the funding available to CHPs. The Asset and Maintenance team worked tirelessly to deliver a total of 191 upgrade works to 54 homes in Bowral, Campbelltown, Goulburn, Wagga Wagga, Yass and Young in just over 3 months.

NSW Government provided the funding to complete Planned Maintenance works on Land and Housing Corporation properties that are managed by Argyle Housing via a 20-year agreement. This funding in addition to our annual Asset and Maintenance spend came to a total of over $8 million.

The Asset and Maintenance team are grateful for the opportunity to be able to deliver these upgrades to our valued customers. With hope that through improving the quality of these homes will in turn contribute to the wellbeing of our customers.

Some quotes from our customers who have recently received the upgrade works:

Heidi from Young happily commented “It’s just so much better”…”feels more homely”.

A lovely email from Corrine of Bowral

“Hi Jamie

Want to say thank you again for replacing my windows and also getting my bathroom and kitchen renovated.

The contractors were professional, polite and friendly. They did the work promptly and efficiently.

I was so delighted that I got to have a say in the choice of colours for the bathroom, kitchen and the house.

I was happy that I could leave to go to work and leave them at my house while they carried out their work.

The new windows have kept the house a lot warmer this winter and my electricity bill was even less from not having to use the heaters as often.

My kitchen has just made the place look better, it no longer looks dated and run down, it feels modern and comfortable.

My bathroom just looks amazing, it’s modern, still small, but stylish. I have a vanity now instead of just a sink, and a shower with a door.

Though I have made my home homely, and try to improve the outside with a garden and such, it’s just nice to have things like this done to make it not feel so old.

Thank you again, and to everyone involved.”

Major Upgrades completed on 54 dwellings

Further Breakdown

Another positive impact that the Major Works Program provided was the number of contractors and subcontractors we engaged to do the works. One of our contractors at Young who has worked with Argyle Housing for a while and completed some of the roofing work stated…

“The stimulus is a great boost for regional areas. For example, we have about 7-10 local people working for us, this means they get work and have money to spend at local businesses. We also use local suppliers, which helps them out as well. Customers are always accommodating and happy about the work being done to their home. It’s a win for everyone.”

Multi Trade Contractor

Argyle Housing, consistent with its commitment to operational excellence, has taken strategic steps to align with other Community Housing Providers. This alignment involved engaging with multi-trade contractor SR Constructions to deliver works ranging from Southwest Sydney through to Goulburn. This significant collaboration sees many of the contractors who have established a rapport with our Clients now working under the SR Constructions banner. Despite this change, the quality of work remains unaltered, maintaining the high standards that Argyle Housing customers have come to expect. This development strengthens Argyle Housing’s maintenance capabilities, ensuring the continued delivery of superior housing services across the wider geographical region. This partnership further underlines our commitment to continuous improvement and service excellence, reflecting our dedication to meeting and exceeding client expectations.

Staffing

Maintenance Officers

The proactive Maintenance Officers team at Argyle Housing has been working tirelessly to manage and inspect the properties under the organisation’s jurisdiction. This dedicated team includes Andrew Heidtmann, Eric McKeever, Jamie Berriman, and Sebastian Galvez, whose combined efforts ensure the smooth operation and upkeep of vacant properties. They spend large amounts of their time on the road, meticulously inspecting the condition of these properties and coordinating necessary works. Their work is fundamental to maintaining the high standards of Argyle Housing properties, ensuring they are always ready for occupancy. Their dedication and diligence have contributed significantly to the organisation’s reputation for quality and reliability in housing provision. This team’s tireless efforts underscore Argyle Housing’s commitment to offering safe, secure, and well-maintained housing options for those in need.

Maintenance Administration Officers

Our team of Maintenance Administration Officers are ceaselessly active within the office environment, navigating a steady stream of incoming calls, generating work orders for contractors, and preparing invoices for the finance department. This industrious team consists of Craig Carlson, Erin Davidson, Nicole Brimmer, Suzannah Ritchie, and Tamara Woodward. Their collective responsibilities play a key role in the seamless operations of Argyle Housing. From fielding queries and concerns, to initiating necessary works via contractor work orders and ensuring the smooth financial flow through invoice preparation, their end-to-end involvement provides a robust backbone to our housing maintenance efforts. The team’s dedication to their roles contributes significantly to our mission of providing high-quality and efficient housing services, confirming Argyle Housing’s commitment to operational excellence. This dedicated teamwork is a testament to Argyle Housing’s values of transparency, integrity, and efficiency. Their efforts help ensure the properties under Argyle Housing’s management remain in excellent condition, ready for occupancy, and meet the needs of all stakeholders.

Argyle Housing Communications Strategy

The Argyle Housing Communications Strategy underwent a comprehensive review in May 2023, with the revised plan subsequently presented to the Board for discussion and notation. This strategy serves as an integral component of Argyle Housing’s operations, focusing on ensuring effective and clear communication among all stakeholders. The review highlighted Argyle Housing’s commitment to improve its communication methods, incorporating new digital platforms to reach a broader audience base. It further emphasised the need to ensure transparency and regular updates to keep residents, employees, and the broader community informed about Argyle Housing’s initiatives and projects. The Board acknowledged the significant effort and thought put into the revised strategy, reflecting the organisation’s commitment to fostering an open and inclusive communication environment. It is expected that the implementation of the reviewed communications strategy will significantly enhance stakeholder engagement and overall organisational efficiency.

Annual Report 2022

The digital Annual Report 2022 of Argyle Housing marked a significant milestone our organisation’s commitment to transparent and accessible communication. Launched and promoted across various social media platforms, the report reached an extensive audience, being viewed over 1,024 times. It was also disseminated to a comprehensive mailing list of key stakeholders, ensuring all involved parties were aware of Argyle Housing’s achievements and plans for the future. The report’s innovative layout and design were widely appreciated, reflecting a focus on user-friendly accessibility and visual appeal. This positive reception signifies the success of the new communication strategy and underscores the importance of digital platforms in reaching and engaging stakeholders. The high engagement levels with the report not only reinforce the effectiveness of Argyle Housing’s communication approach but also validate the necessity for continued emphasis on digital communication tools. Going forward, we plan to leverage this success to further enhance its stakeholder communication, underlining the value Argyle Housing places on transparency, inclusivity, and accessibility in its operations.

The Argyler

Argyle Housing continues to enhance its communication efforts with the successful distribution of three issues of its key publication, The Argyler. Available in print and accessible via our website, The Argyler serves as a critical communication link between Argyle Housing’s regional offices and its Clients. The newsletter provides updates about our work, shares stories from the community, and presents opportunities for feedback and interaction.

Beyond the Clients who occupy the organisation’s core focus, The Argyler also targets industry professionals, providing them with an insightful view into Argyle Housing’s initiatives and progress. The distribution of this publication to a broader professional audience fosters a stronger connection with the housing industry, facilitating potential collaborations and partnerships.

The adoption of this dual-mode publication – print and digital – ensures that the newsletter is accessible to all, irrespective of their preferred communication medium. This approach reflects Argyle Housing’s ongoing commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in our communication strategy. The success of The Argyler as a communication tool underscores the effectiveness of Argyle Housing’s reviewed communication strategy, reinforcing the need for clear, frequent, and inclusive communication in enhancing stakeholder relationships and organisational success.

Consistent Contributions from Clients

Our newsletter has attracted consistent contributions from numerous Clients, which is an affirmation of its relevance and effectiveness in engaging our audience. By sharing their insights, experiences, and updates, Clients not only enrich and enliven each issue but also help forge stronger connections within the professional community. We consistently encourage other Clients to consider contributing as well, in order to enhance the depth, breadth, and value of our publication.

Moving Forward: Strengthening the Impact and Reach of The Argyler

We are committed to continuously improving The Argyler for our Clients, and as such, we have encouraged Clients to share their feedback and suggestions. This will enable us to refine the content and presentation of future issues, optimise its readability and value, and better serve the interests of our readers.

• The Argyler is our primary communication tool for engaging our valued Clients and sharing valuable industry insights.
• Consistent contributions from Clients and regional offices demonstrate its current effectiveness and impact.
• Continuous improvement remains our goal, and we welcome feedback to further refine the content and presentation of our publication.

Argyle Housing Rebrand: Elevating Our Professional Presence

The recent rebrand of Argyle Housing has been met with enthusiasm both internally among staff members, and externally with Clients and stakeholders alike. Our comprehensive rebranding schedule has been designed to facilitate a seamless transition to our new, more sophisticated brand identity.

On August 8th, we officially launched our newly branded website and social media channels. In addition to this, staff members were provided with new Word templates via Complispace to ensure consistency in all our documentation. The revamped design truly sets Argyle Housing apart from other Community Housing Providers and emphasises our commitment to professionalism.

Throughout September 2023, all Argyle Housing offices underwent extensive rebranding efforts. This included updating company logos, incorporating new brand colours, and updating contact details. As a result of these changes, our workspace now aligns seamlessly with our refined brand image, further enhancing the professional environment.

To complete our rebranding process, additional collateral such as marketing banners, flags, and marquees were developed and implemented throughout April 2023. This additional material serves to underscore the updated look of Argyle Housing and reinforce our identity as a distinguished and trustworthy Community Housing Provider.

In summary, the Argyle Housing rebrand has strengthened our position in the industry, situating us as a more professional and reliable choice for Clients and partners. Through meticulous attention to detail and a firm commitment to excellence, we have transformed our identity while maintaining the values that make Argyle Housing a trusted name in community housing. We are confident that our new brand image will continue to resonate with Clients and Stakeholders for years to come.

Client Portal

Since its inception in September 2022, Argyle Housing’s Client Portal has demonstrated considerable and consistent growth in usage, highlighting its significance to both Clients and Client Support Specialists. This robust platform has observed a consistent increase in usage month-on-month, a testament to the value and user-friendly experience it offers. April 2023 marked a significant growth spike ensuing the integration of the CBA payment link, further boosting user engagement.

To date, the portal has achieved a significant milestone of over 13,000 page views and sessions. This impressive figure emphasises the platform’s wide reach and the effectiveness of its features in engaging users. Importantly, the platform’s growth is not limited to existing users; 72% of new users have joined the portal, an indicator of its growing appeal and the success of Argyle Housing’s active outreach.

The consistent and strong growth in the portal usage not only validates the functionality and usability of the Client Portal but also underlines the success of Argyle Housing’s strategic focus on enhancing digital communication tools. The organisation views this encouraging trend as motivation to continue investing in digital resources to strengthen stakeholder communication and engagement, aligning with its core mission of transparency, inclusivity, and accessibility.

Key Points

Website Growth: The Client Portal has seen consistent month on month growth, with a notable surge following the addition of the CBA payment link. This demonstrates the effectiveness of the platform, as well as its ability to adapt and expand as new clients join and existing clients continue to use it.

High New User Adoption: With 72% of new users registering on the portal, it is clear that the Client Portal is attracting a significant amount of interest and is proving valuable to both new and existing clients.

Increased Value for Client Support Specialists: Our Client Support Specialists have also acknowledged the value of the portal, as they are now directing all new Client sign-ups on how to use the platform. This not only showcases the portal’s importance but also helps streamline the onboarding process.

Recommendations for Future Growth

To further enhance the value of the Client Portal and ensure its continued success, we propose the following measures:

• Provide More In-Depth Training: Offer more comprehensive and detailed training to both new and existing clients, allowing them to maximise the benefits provided by the portal.
• Regular Updates and Platform Improvements: Keep the portal up-to-date by implementing new features and enhancements based on client feedback, technological advancements, and industry best practices.
• Monitor and Analyse Usage Metrics: Closely monitor the trends in portal usage and derive relevant insights to continually optimise the platform for better user experience and utility.

In summary, the Client Portal has demonstrated a strong growth trajectory since its inception, with its value being recognised by both Clients and our internal support specialists. By focusing on continued improvements and capitalising on its strengths, we are confident that the platform will maintain its upward trend and continue to provide excellent service to our Clients.

Media

Over the past 12 months, Argyle Housing has experienced a notable increase in media exposure and recognition, thanks to consistent communication and relationship building efforts. Key partnerships have been forged with print and online newspaper organisations in the Southern Highlands, Wagga Wagga, and Griffith regions. This heightened media interest has played a crucial role in raising Argyle Housing’s profile within these regions.

Argyle Housing’s growth in media attention can be attributed in part to the housing shortage prevalent in the Riverina area. Media agencies have expressed keen interest in this issue, with most requests for comment aimed at addressing this pressing concern. Further information regarding Argyle Housing’s news coverage can be found on our website at https://argylehousing.com.au/news/

Key Points to Emphasise

• Media interest in Argyle Housing has grown significantly.
• Consistent efforts in communication and relationship building have been influential in nurturing key partnerships with media organisations.
• The housing shortage in the Riverina area has been a primary focal point for media agencies.

Argyle Housing Website

The Argyle Housing website has seen remarkable growth in terms of both content and user engagement throughout the last 12 months. One of the key reasons behind this success can be attributed to the platform’s ongoing commitment to meeting the target audience’s needs, preferences and ensuring the information is up to date and relevant. With an intuitive interface and a wealth of information, the website has fast become a go-to resource for existing and new Clients in search of new housing opportunities.

176,031 Website visits 2022 – 2023 YTD compared with 175,816 website visits 2021 – 2022 YTD

Key Achievements in Social Media Growth

Argyle Housing has observed a substantial increase in engagement, reach, and followers across all social media platforms throughout the past year. This achievement can be attributed to the diligent efforts made by the team to optimise our online presence. Nonetheless, it is crucial to recognise areas for further growth and enhancements, as our competitors still outperform us in certain aspects.

Key Milestones and Metrics

In the past 12 months, Argyle Housing’s social media channels have experienced significant growth. Here are a few noteworthy achievements:

• Expansion of our follower base on all platforms
• Amplified engagement rates, including likes, comments, and shares
• Increased visibility and reach through effective digital marketing campaigns

A more detailed analysis of these metrics in the latest Communications Strategy clearly outlines our progress and identifies areas for improvement.

The past year’s growth of Argyle Housing’s social media presence serves as a testament to our team’s hard work and determination. However, there remains ample room for augmenting our strategy.

• Facebook followers have grown from 1182 to 1375
• Instagram followers have grown from 254 to 321
• Twitter followers have remained stable at 435
• LinkedIn followers have grown from 550 to 803

In the last year our Client Services team has undergone an insurmountable amount of change, from the realignment of our teams, to streamline the services we deliver, to staffing changes and of course opportunities for development.

A highlight for our teams this year 22-23 was the appointment of the following managers who have brought with them extensive experience and the skills necessary to coach, mentor, support and motivate our teams to deliver a service that is above standard every day of the week. These five managers are and have been the key to the Client Services team ongoing success, and service delivery, as well as leading and supporting change. They are passionate, hard-working, and well-respected women within the sector, all of whom have bright futures with Argyle Housing. We would like to take this opportunity to thank them and theirr teams for their hard work and commitment over the last twelve months, and their strong values and ethics that align with Argyle Housing and our vision. For those of you who have recently joined the organisation, your impact to date has been noticed and you are all truly valued members of the team.

Liliane Tadros – Rent Services Lead

Lily started in her management role at Argyle Housing on the 8th March 2023 after spending 30 years in banking and finance. This is Lily’s first time in the community housing sector, and she shows such an empathic, and Client focused approach to her team and the people they support every day. Lily is working on embedding a Client centric attitude in her team’s everyday business with a focus on enhancing skills, and job satisfaction which will in turn impact the lives of our Clients. Lily’s team are responsible for all rent calculations and eligibility assessments as well as managing the organisations rental payments, arrears, and debt collection. Lily has made a significant impact on her team, to date as well as on their results when it comes to supporting our Clients to get their debts paid, payment plans in place, and rent reviews on time. I would like to acknowledge that our arrears as an organisation have decreased by 15% in the three months since Lily has commenced and the reviews of our Clients rent charge are on time.

Tasi Allen – Client Support Manager Northern

Tasi started her career with Argyle Housing in 2022 in our Campbelltown office as a Client Support Specialist. Tasi has a background of senior management and has come over to community housing from employment services. Tasi was able to be promoted to the regional manager of our Northern patch (Southwest Sydney, Bowral, Goulburn and Queanbeyan) within a year of her employment at Argyle Housing. Tasi has two direct reports being Bradley and Fiona as the local managers for the areas she is responsible for. Tasi is a very thorough, planned, purposeful, strategic, and proactive manager who is highly valued by the Client Support team under the Client Services banner.

Kristy Stevenson – Client Support Manager Southern

Kristy began her Career with Argyle Housing as a Tenancy Officer and has worked her way through to a training officer, supporting our team to learn how and why they do what they do. Kristy was subsequently promoted to a Client Support Manager for the Southern Region in which Argyle Housing operates. Kristy brings a lot of experience to her role in relation to people management, legislation, process and procedure knowledge and exceptional person centred and relationship/rapport skills.

Kristy has been able to support the southern team and at times helping the northern teams throughout what has been a challenging year of change and innovation. Kristy is extremely knowledgeable and resilient and comes to work every day with an exceptional work ethic, and empathy beyond her years. Kristy is available for our Clients and our employees and manages a team that are now stable and excelling in their performance outcomes.

Jaime Grant – Transitions Lead

Jaime has been a manager within Argyle Housing since 2020 and an employee more than nine years. Jaime is one of our most knowledgeable and loyal team members who has been able to experience almost every role within the Client Services team during her time. With this exposure comes great skills and knowledge. Over the last 12 months Jaime has led our Transitions team who deal with ended tenancies, all tribunal matters and former Client debt. Jaime has single handily built the transitions team from the ground up and seen some amazing outcomes and statistics. Whilst Jaime and her team tend to deal with a big number of challenging matters, or issues within tenancy management, they are really passionate individuals who have a drive for sustaining tenancies and are experienced in their insight and understanding of the complexities and barriers some Clients may face throughout their journey as a Client of Argyle Housing.

Julie Roberts – Housing Access Lead

Julie has been a manager within Argyle Housing for six years now, with previous experience in social housing for the Department of Communities and Justice. Julie leads our Housing Access team, who manage all prospective Clients and applicants of Argyle Housing. Julie and her team have worked hard to ensure Clients on the social housing wait list are housed within an acceptable timeframe, and when a transfer is needed they are there to facilitate this. Julie’s team is a wonderful group of individuals who are focused on the entry part of a Client’s journey and coming into Argyle Housing. Julie’s team have had to increase their tasks throughout our realignment and take on the data entry of new Clients, along with learning how to prepare leases and other legal documents, as well as starting the tenancy. There is no better team for the job, as they have proven they are able to capture all mandatory data and complete our agreements and legislative requirements and compliance components to starting a tenancy, better than anyone ever before them. The time frames in which we tenant a vacant property have improved over the last six months from 30 days bringing it down to a 10-day average. Thank you for your commitment and resilience within the organisation during this time of change.

Operations Highlights

In the last year our teams have undergone training and development in the areas of mental health first aid, trauma informed practice, debt collection, introductions to community housing and many more role related training sessions. Of our biggest achievements to date is taking a holistic approach to our service delivery, that is trauma informed and Client focused. Whilst we understand that we work to provide quality homes to our Clients, we also have some strict policies, procedures, and legislation that we operate within. I would like to congratulate our team on being able to balance this part of the role with delivering such positive outcomes for our clients in general, and the organisation. We care about the people we work for, and it is great to see the teams getting out into the communities in which we work, and building relationships with our Clients that will last throughout their time with Argyle Housing.

Tasi and Kristy attended the Homelessness Annual Conference in the month of May 2023. This was held in Darwin in the Northern Territory and highlighted for them the similarities and differences, state by state of the national housing crisis. Exposure to these types of events is important for our employees, for networking, education, skill building and of course the provision of and sharing information. Whilst we are learning and meeting new people at conferences, these events have the opportunity to reignite passion, create the drive for innovation, refocus our vision and goals as well as building foundations for understanding and insight into those brave enough to present and educate the sector on their lived experience. Argyle Housing looks forward to continuing to invest in our employees and their exposure to such great forums and events, across the country.

The key focus for the Client Service team this year is our Clients and our People. It is core to us that that our employees are also our people and although they are working with a vision to support better outcomes, and quality housing options, they are not exempt from the current environment in which there is a housing crisis, and the day-to-day barriers or complexities that people face when it comes to sustaining a home, and achieving happy and healthy outcomes for themselves and their families. We can’t thank the team enough for their dedication, contributions, expertise, professionalism and commitment during what is a difficult time nationally for housing. Argyle Housing remains committed to supporting our staff and ensuring that they are equipped with the resources to support our Clients.

In 2023 Argyle Housing were able to introduce some great employee initiatives in recognition of the above hard work, and above and beyond Client focused team we are building. We hope that these kinds of things ensure that our teams are supported to live and manage their own lives promoting a better environment to work, and optimised services being handed on to our ever so important Clients.

Argyle Housing receives grant to continue managing Ainslie Lodge.

During the 2020 Covid pandemic, the ACT Government provided Argyle Housing with a Rapid Response Grant to keep people safe and off the street during this uncertain time.

Within two weeks from receiving the Grant, Ainslie Lodge was operational and ready to take Clients. Five months into the program Ainslie Lodge had helped 153 Clients with 32 moving to long term accommodation.

Now, three years on, Argyle Housing’s Ainslie Lodge has helped over 696 people, including:

• 146 Clients moved into Ainslie Village
• 7 Clients into private shared rental
• 15 Clients into transitional accommodation
• 2 Clients into rehabilitation.

Ainslie Lodge has continued to be an asset and a much-needed service for the community.

Argyle Housing is proud to announce they were recently awarded additional funding by the ACT Government, to continue providing crisis accommodation and the wrap-around support services at Ainslie Lodge.

Cherie Tizzoni, Argyle Housing’s Client Service Manager said: “We continue to develop and build on the initial pilot program and adapt the Ainslie Lodge guidelines as we learn and grow, to better support our clients and their long-term housing outcomes. I am excited to see the positive changes this improved model brings to our clients, their connections, the community, and the sector over the next few years.”

Ainslie Lodge is managed by Argyle Housing, with assistance from the ACT Government and the Commonwealth Government under the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement.

Argyle Housing has had a Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group (RWG) for a number of years now who actively lead the Reconciliation Action Plan across the organisation.

As of 2023 the RAP Working Group consists of 14 staff members including the CEO with representation from across the Argyle Housing locations and departments. A staff member was asked to step into the position of RWG Chair which allowed for more guidance and leadership for the Innovate RAP to be endorsed and implemented in the organisation. The RAP Working Group

• Carolyn Doherty – CEO
• Gabby Hopping – Projects Officer & RAP Working Group Chair
• Bernadette Welfare – Housing Access Specialist
• Scott Dunstan – Marketing and Communications Manager
• Julia Hogbin – CSS Goulburn
• Corrinne Sydes – Transition Specialist
• Tasi Allen – CSS Manager (Northern region)
• Maddy Bullivant – Housing Access Specialist
• Bethany Mifsud – Rent Services Specialist
• Lisa Boyd – HAT/ CSS SWS
• Amanda Nicholson – CSS SWS
• Jaylene McSherry – Housing Access Specialist
• Sebastian Galvez – Maintenance Officer TBD
• Liv Too – Transitions Specialist TBD

Our RAP Working Group meets four major times a year with regular catchups in between when there is a milestone or event coming up. The meetings allow the group to discuss important issues, celebrate milestones in the progress of Argyle Housing’s path to Reconciliation, continually review the RAP in accordance with the action plan and share innovative ideas and resources to continue to drive change within the organisation in line with Argyle Housing’s vision for reconciliation.

RAP Document Endorsement

After many months of working on the Reconciliation Action Plan alongside Reconciliation Australia and three rounds of feedback, Argyle Housing received formal RAP endorsement on Tuesday 9th of May 2023. The Final RAP Document was developed in collaboration with the RAP Working Group and designed by Argyle Housing’s Communication and Marketing Manager, Scott Dunstan. It can be found on the Reconciliation Australia website.

The RAP outlines the commitment and action plan to achieve Argyle Housing’s vision for reconciliation over the next two years from March 2023 – March 2025.

Argyle Housing will continue to work with Reconciliation Australia as we work through the actions that we have committed to. Next Step is the crucial implementation phase of the Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan. The key focuses of this phase will be in:

• Implementing reconciliation initiatives
• Gaining a deeper understanding of our sphere of influence
• Establishing the best approach to advance reconciliation within our organisation
• Developing and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
• Developing and Piloting innovative strategies to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

Read the RAP here

Staff Day May 2023

At Staff Day in May 2023 the key theme was Argyle Housing’s value of Inclusive. As the formal endorsement of the RAP Document was received the CEO team decided to feature the RAP and the important action of continuing to implement Acknowledgement of Country across the organisation. This was brought to the RAP Working Group (RWG) and discussed as the CEO team was originally looking at an organisation called Acknowledge This! Who run workshops online and in person for organisations and individuals by holding a safe for learning and vulnerability which enables people to feel more confident to participate in culture.

When discussed with the RWG, Chantell Wyszenko along with Bethany and Maddison from our Southwest Sydney office all came up with the idea of doing this acknowledgement to country workshop internally and lead by members of the RWG. This was very quickly agreed and accepted by the RWG and it was decided that these three members of the RWG would do the Acknowledge This! Workshop online to give them support in developing the content and structure of the workshop.

Chantell approached the CEO and asked to be able to share her  story for the first time as an Aboriginal woman at Argyle Housing’s Staff Day. Not only would Chantell sharing her story allow staff to understand the importance of acknowledging country as protocol but also to share in the significance and value of shared history to connect with and change their perception on First Nations cultures, history and lived experiences.

Chantell’s bloodline is from Ngunnawal Country and the idea developed into also creating a video travelling from Southwest Sydney office to Ainslie Village office in the ACT stopping at Bowral and Goulburn offices on the way and exploring the staff’s thoughts towards acknowledging country.

Staff Day was a success with many participating in the activities run by the group. In addition to sharing the video and Chantell sharing her story there was also a boomerang painting workshop where each person was able to paint their own boomerang, and these are being distributed to each office to go on display.

An update on the RAP where we are at now and the history of the RAP at Argyle Housing was also shared in order to bring every staff member along for the journey.

We are honoured and thankful that Chantell shared her story and this knowledge with our staff it gave a powerful and deeply personal message to all our staff.

Signing of MOU with Murra Mia Aboriginal Tenant Advocacy Services (MMTAAS)

A very exciting and milestone in our RAP was joining Argyle Housing as a community housing provider to the Memorandum of Understanding between The Community Housing Industry Association NSW (CHIA NSW), participating community housing providers, the Aboriginal Resource Unit (ARU) and Aboriginal Tenant Advice and Advocacy Services across NSW (ATAAS) to work together to promote and protect the interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander shared clients.

Argyle Housing undertook this milestone through drafting an agreement between Argyle Housing and Murra Mia (MMTAAS). This memorandum of understanding outlined the initiative of developing and operating a local action plan with Murra Mia Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service to align with the objectives of the MOU between CHIA NSW and The Aboriginal Resource Unit. The partnership is to sustain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tenancies, increase awareness and cultural competence across CHPs and build mutual understanding between CHPs and ATAASs supported by the ARU.

Argyle Housing made this commitment to build and maintain a strong relationship with Murra Mia Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service (MMTAAS), to work collaboratively to deliver safe, secure, and affordable housing and wrap around support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the foundation of strong, prosperous, and inclusive communities.

The organisations are now engaged in a strategic conversation where a more structured outline of positions and roles within each organisation and the way that it will play a part in the execution and implementation of the local action plan will be included in the MOU. Both parties will now participate in a joint management committee, which will manage the local action plan and any actions outside of the scope that is agreed upon by the committee, determine ongoing management processes, develop procedures for activities with a joint approach.

CEO Presentation at CHIA NSW Housing Conference 2023

In addition to the signing of the MOU Carolyn Doherty was invited to speak at the Community Housing Industry Association NSW conference at the beginning of May. She joined a panel with Uncle Jim Allen and Paul Teerman to launch the MOU pilot between Community Housing Providers and Aboriginal Tenancy Services to develop local action plans to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tenancies.

The following was posted on Twitter by CHIANSW:

“Some great work being done by CHPs piloting MoUs with Aboriginal Tenancy Services to improve collaboration on sustaining Aboriginal tenancies and reducing negative exits. The hope is to expand the program state-wide and deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal tenants. #CH2023.”

Southwest Sydney

To celebrate the RAP Launch Argyle Housing SWS hosted a lunch at the Camden Valley Inn, featuring welcome to country, smoking ceremony, and didgeridoo performance by Moodjaay Gooriman and Uncle Harry Callaghan, performance from professional boxer and singer Shanell Dargan, Wiradjuri and Mununjali woman who shared her story. It was also an honour to have our RAP Artists Tay-la Shearley present the story behind the artwork at the event with a stall displaying many of their artworks, one of which we bought and have hanging in our SWS office in Gregory Hills. Was a wonderful time with many guests from community coming to celebrate the event with our team from Southwest Sydney.

ACT

In the ACT the RAP Launch was held at The Australian National Botanical Gardens where it featured a collaboration with Mura Culture Services who were amazing performing the welcome to country, smoking ceremony and ochre. They also shared presentation on cultural activities and artefacts and finally cultural yarning and bush plants. Guests enjoyed catering from local indigenous catering company, Ribana’s Catering. The event was a huge success with many local Canberrans and Argyle Housing Clients participating in the event and sharing in the celebration.

Wagga

Our CEO Carolyn Doherty travelled to Wagga Wagga to be present and help to host the RAP Launch. The event was held at the Tolland Community Centre with many from the local community in attendance. Guests all enjoyed a BBQ lunch as well as welcome to country from Aunty Claire Lyons and dance performance from local Marrambidya Yurali Wagga Dhaanys dance group.

Southern Highlands

In Southern Highlands we took a slightly different lens, as we continue to build relationships with the local First Nations community, we knew it was important for our staff to build cultural knowledge and awareness. We had 35 staff members go to Koori Kulcha which is a local indigenous company who run events from their site in Bowral as well as provide services and catering beyond. Aunty Marie Barbaric performed a welcome to country before inviting the boys to perform a smoking ceremony and didgeridoo performance. In groups staff then went through the RAP document brainstorming ideas towards achieving the actions on our Reconciliation Action Plan. It was an amazing experience with many staff sharing that they’d never experienced a smoking ceremony before.

Griffith

Unfortunately, our RAP Launch Event all booked for Griffith was sadly washed out on the day.

Our staff Scott, Eve and Jen were able to donate the catering booked for event and helped to package and prepare food for Meal on Wheels clients in Griffith.

At Argyle Housing, we are deeply committed to sustainability in every facet of our operations. We are proud to share our recent initiatives aimed at not only reducing our environmental impact but also enhancing our community’s social sustainability.

We have taken significant strides in the realm of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting. We were a contributing partner in Community Housing Industry Australia’s (CHIA) ESG reporting standard, which serves as a tool for reporting on the community impact generated by the Australian community housing sector. This collaboration reflects our dedication to transparency and accountability in our operations. We are currently in discussions at an executive and team level about how we can best utilise these resources and implement this industry-specific framework across our organisation.

Recognising the importance of strategic asset management in sustainable operations, we have chosen to work closely with SPM Assets, a company providing lifecycle asset management software. The goal of this partnership is the development of our Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP). Our SAMP will provide a robust planning and governance framework to ensure the sustainability of our current and future assets and their ability to support our community housing services. This plan outlines our strategies for managing existing assets and planning for increasing demand opportunities over the next 10 to 20 years. Building on the foundation laid by the April 2022 SAMP, this iteration takes into account both properties owned by Argyle Housing and those managed on behalf of the NSW Land and Housing Corporation (LAHC).

In our new development projects, we are adhering to LAHC dwelling requirements, which are designed to ensure sustainable homes that facilitate long-term tenancies, reduce ongoing operational costs, and improve environmental performance. These standards, which exceed BASIX standards, are now being applied to all our new dwellings. We believe that by embracing LAHC’s rigorous dwelling standards, we are not only promoting sustainability within our own portfolio but also setting an example for the wider community housing sector.

Each of these measures reflects our commitment to sustainability from multiple angles – environmental, social, and governance. As we continue to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the future, we remain dedicated to upholding these values and principles and driving sustainability in community housing.

Common Ground Gungahlin Solar Panels

The announcement by the Australian government to install solar panels in Common Ground Gungahlin, Canberra, has been met with widespread applause. This move signifies the government’s commitment to not only sustainable living but also social responsibility. An essential aspect of this initiative is its potential to significantly benefit the clients of Argyle Housing.

Argyle Housing, a leading provider of affordable housing solutions in Australia, serves a diverse group of clients, many of whom are grappling with the rising costs of living. The installation of solar panels in Common Ground Gungahlin will directly impact these clients, offering tangible financial benefits.

By harnessing renewable energy, solar panels will reduce reliance on non-renewable energy sources, thereby significantly cutting down on energy bills. For Argyle Housing clients, this means a substantial reduction in their monthly expenses. Given that energy costs constitute a considerable portion of living expenses, this reduction will alleviate the financial burden on these individuals, allowing them to redirect their funds towards other essential needs.

Moreover, the move towards solar energy aligns with Argyle Housing’s mission to provide safe and sustainable housing solutions for its clients. The reduction in carbon emissions from using solar energy will contribute positively to the health and well-being of the residents, creating a living environment that is as healthy as it is affordable.

The financial benefits of this initiative extend beyond individual residents. The cost savings from using solar energy will also translate to operational cost savings for Argyle Housing. These funds can be reinvested into the community, improving facilities, programming, and services for the clients. It’s a win-win situation that reinforces the symbiotic relationship between social responsibility and environmental sustainability.

The installation of solar panels also creates opportunities for job creation during the installation and maintenance processes. These opportunities could provide a significant boost to the local economy and could also be beneficial to Argyle Housing clients seeking employment.

In conclusion, the government’s decision to install solar panels in Common Ground Gungahlin heralds a new era of sustainable and affordable living in Australia. This initiative, while beneficial for the environment, is also a boon for Argyle Housing clients, offering them an opportunity to live sustainably and save money simultaneously. As this initiative takes root and flourishes, it sets a precedent for future developments across Australia, shining a light on the path to a sustainable future.

Argyle Housing’s Sustainability Efforts

Argyle Housing has made significant strides in its sustainability efforts, particularly with the recent installation of solar panels on social housing properties. This initiative is a testament to Argyle Housing’s commitment to providing not only affordable but also sustainable living solutions.

One of the primary accomplishments in this direction is the adoption of energy-efficient upgrades. Solar panels, being emblematic of these upgrades, harness the power of renewable energy, thus reducing dependence on non-renewable energy sources. The resultant energy cost savings are substantial, directly benefiting the clients who now grapple less with high living expenses. This is in alignment with Argyle Housing’s mission to provide safe, affordable, and sustainable housing solutions.

Additionally, these environmentally friendly practices extend beyond the realm of cost savings. They contribute to a reduction in carbon emissions, thereby improving the health and well-being of the residents. Argyle Housing’s green initiatives thus create a living environment that is as healthy as it is affordable, contributing to the overall quality of life of its clients.

Moreover, the financial benefits of implementing solar energy extend to operational cost savings for Argyle Housing itself. These funds can be reinvested back into the community, enhancing facilities, programming, and services for the clients. The ripple effect of this initiative, therefore, is far-reaching and reinforced the symbiotic relationship between social responsibility and environmental sustainability.

The installation of solar panels also fosters job creation opportunities during the installation and maintenance phases. This reinforces Argyle Housing’s commitment to not just providing shelter but also enabling self-sufficiency among its clients.

In conclusion, Argyle Housing’s proactive adoption of sustainable practices, particularly the installation of solar panels, underscores its commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility. The benefits to the clients, in terms of cost savings and improved living conditions, are tangible and substantial. Argyle Housing’s initiatives are setting a benchmark in sustainable housing solutions and stand as a shining example to other providers in the sector.

Office Recycling Practices 2018 – 2023

At Argyle Housing, we are deeply committed to sustainability and responsible waste management within our office environment. Over the past five years, we have implemented a variety of recycling initiatives, diligently tracked, and reported using industry standard systems.

One key component of our sustainability initiative involves the recycling of Toner Cartridges. These cartridges, though lightweight, generate a significant amount of waste once used. Since mid-2019, we have been tracking and documenting our Toner Recycling efforts via Close the Loop. Our data, spanning from November 1st, 2018 to October 31st, 2023, shows a significant reduction in the amount of waste being recycled and reflects our commitment to reducing this form of waste.

Argyle Housing also prioritises the responsible disposal of IT e-waste. Currently, all IT-related waste is taken to the Moss Vale Resource Recovery Centre for recycling free of charge. As part of our stringent data security procedures, we ensure that all PC hard drives and mobile devices are either wiped clean or physically destroyed prior to recycling. Mobile devices are also dropped off at the OfficeWorks Recycle bin. These e-waste recycling practices, are based on need and not scheduled regularly.

We also pay particular attention to the appropriate disposal of sensitive documents. Such documents are placed into designated Blue Sulo Bins for secure disposal. Once collected, these documents are professionally shredded, pulped, or otherwise disposed of to ensure confidentiality.

In addition, to secure disposal, we are looking into the introduction of a non-secure paper recycling bin for non-sensitive materials such as cardboard boxes. We believe that this initiative will not only be cost-effective but also contribute significantly to our overall waste reduction efforts.

Lastly, office shredded paper, which is currently discarded in the skip, we are looking into ways in which could be better utilised. This material is biodegradable and although it may generate some mess, we are exploring potential uses for this waste product, given its potential environmental benefits.

Our sustainability efforts at Argyle Housing represent our commitment to responsible environmental stewardship. We continuously seek ways to improve our current practices and explore new opportunities for waste reduction. As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to ensuring a healthier and more sustainable world, starting with our own office.