AT HOME WITH ACCESS HOUSING

SUMMER 2018

Season’s Greetings from

Some artistically talented tenants joined Access Housing staff on Tuesday 27 November to officially launch the Tenant Art Display in the foyer area at Access Housing’s Rivervale office. More than 20 pieces of art produced by 12 tenants are currently on display. Pieces include paintings, pyrography, sculptured furniture, photography and bottle top art. The launch event included discussions about future art projects for tenants. Artists suggested hosting a tenant exhibit in a local gallery to bring their art into the community. There was also excitement from the group to deliver workshops for other Access Housing tenants so they could share their passion and skills with others. Many thanks to the tenants who contributed pieces to the display. Thanks also go to Bunnings Belmont, Arts and Crafts World and The Butchers Shop for supporting the event. Access Housing will be showcasing tenant artwork in a rotating display at our Rivervale headquarters and providing more opportunities for tenants to share their interests.

Creative tenants showcase works of art

* read more about the display on page 2

Welcome to the Summer 2018 edition of At Home with Access Housing. 2018 has been another busy and productive year at Access Housing. As we prepare to farewell 2018, we are pleased to inform you that we have recently commenced a couple of new initiatives that we will

progress further in 2019. They are: 1) Access Housing is working towards becoming a White Ribbon Australia-accredited workplace to help raise awareness of, and end, violence against women. We look forward to strengthening our staff’s knowledge and skills to address the serious, prevalent and preventable issue of violence against women as we work towards accreditation with White Ribbon Australia. 2) We have commenced developing a Reconciliation Action Plan to foster understanding and respect within the social and affordable housing industry for indigenous people. This is a key priority for me in creating opportunities for our services to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. In continuing to improve our services, we have analysed Tenant Survey responses that were collected earlier in the year. We will be including an insert in the Autumn 2019 newsletter detailing what we have done so far, and what we will be continuing to do, to act on feedback you provided us with. Thanks again to tenants who completed the survey. Access Housing hosted a panel discussion on Tuesday 4 December to hear from some of our valued tenants who are living with a disability. We had a full house for the discussion, with tenants sharing some useful insights about accessing and maintaining housing that will lead to more forums in the future. You can read more about the event on the next page. For lots of different reasons Christmas can be a difficult time for some of us. If you would like someone to talk to during the Christmas period, you can speak to someone at Lifeline by calling 13 11 14 or someone at beyondblue by calling 1300 224 636. Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2019! Natalie Sangalli General Manager Community Housing

From our Community Housing General Manager Natalie Sangalli

* continued from front page

HOW DO YOU FEEL AFTER

SEEING YOUR WORK ON DISPLAY?

“It was a fabulous opportunity.”

“I feel really proud.”

“I was overwhelmed at how many people thought my

art was good.”

“Really happy to have the exposure as

an artist.”

WHY DID YOU WANT TO BE PART

OF THE DISPLAY?

WORDS FROM OUR TENANT ARTISTS

If you would like to display your art in Access

Housing’s Tenant Art Display please email creatingchoices@accesshousing.org.au

or call us on 9430 0945.

ART: It’s strange that three letters can encompass a whole world. Ever looked at a piece of art and felt an emotion attached? How amazing it is that 3 or 4 people viewing the piece can see it from a totally different perspective? Usually the story behind that art is just as interesting. I believe every human being is an artist and, for the benefit of our mental health, we should find our own wonderful creative outlet. Inspiration from our public art galleries is not only free, but thought provoking. For me the best type of art is recycled, every day items put together to form a masterpiece. Suzanne (Suzie’s Musings author and Artist)

“To share ideas with others.”

“I like doing stuff with my hands. It really helps my

mental health and I wanted to show off what I had done.”

“To be part of the

community.”

WEB

WHAT’S NEW FOR TENANTS?

New customers: Visit the Alinta website and enter the discount code ACCESSHOUSING www.alintaenergy.com.au/gasdeal

Existing customers: Call Alinta on 13 13 58 and state the discount code: ACCESS HOUSING

This offer is only available for Access Housing tenants within the Metro region. Discounts are based on Alinta’s standard residential gas prices, terms and conditions. For information about discounts for other services visit the Synergy and Water Corporation websites.

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY FOR ACCESS HOUSING TENANTS WITH EXCLUSIVE GAS DEAL

HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT HOW YOU RECEIVE THE TENANT

NEWSLETTER

Alinta Energy are offering a two year 35% discount for Access Housing tenants living in the Metro region as part of their Fair Go 35 offer. This offer is valid for existing customers or tenants wanting to switch to Alinta.

Would you like to receive At Home with Access Housing via email rather than through the post?

If you would, please email

info@accesshousing.org.au with the subject title Tenant

Newsletter and include your full name, property address and

preferred email address and we will make sure you receive the next

newsletter via email.

As part of International Day of People with Disability celebrations, Access Housing hosted and heard from some of our highly valued tenants who are living with a disability during a panel event on Tuesday 4 December at our head office at Rivervale. The Access to Accommodation event asked tenants what barriers they faced in accessing and maintaining their current home. Tenants shared their individual experiences of what has and hasn’t worked for them and, as a group, developed an outline of what needs to happen to improve housing accessibility and inclusion outcomes for people with disabilities into the future. Tenants identified choice, design and funding as important issues in disability housing. Tenants said that advocacy is needed to make sure the voices of people with a disability and their carers are heard during the design of properties. Individual needs should be considered around parking, room and bathroom size, kitchen design requirements as well as the cost of maintenance. There was also discussion around the support required to ensure that people with a disability feel safe and secure where they live. Tenants advocated for more forums where people with a disability can find out information and contribute to decisions around disability housing. If you want to be involved in future forums please contact Alison Paterson on 9430 0900. Access Housing encourages you to get involved and have your say by contributing to WA’s State Disability Plan. If you have a disability or care for someone who does, share your views by visiting www.communities.wa.gov.au/wa-have-your-say/state-disability-plan/

TENANTS LEAD ‘ACCESS TO ACCOMMODATION’ DISCUSSION

From carpet cleaner to forensic criminologist - Phillip is an Access Housing tenant and Creating Choices Scholarship recipient who has been achieving great things through his studies. In June this year, Phillip completed his Bachelors degree at Murdoch University. Phillip is now completing his Masters Degree in Forensic Science and has been undertaking ground breaking research throughout his time at Murdoch. Tell us about your work and study background? “I am 49 years old. I left school at the end of year 10. From there I went into the workforce and was in and out of jobs all the time. I got my certificates in IT, Private Investigating and Security over the years but the long hours and lack of work burnt me out. I was working as a carpet and house cleaner and I just got so fed up with it so I decided to go back to study.” What made you make the decision to want to study instead of carrying on? “I wanted a change. I had a normal job but I knew I had the potential to do more. I looked into what was available to me and started studying through Open Universities online (and) saw forensics was available here in Murdoch.” Was studying online a good starting point to get back into study? “It was the best pathway I could have chosen. I did a year and a half at Open University and could enter university here. You only need to do two units through Open University and then you can do a transfer to a university here.” How did you find being a mature aged student? “It was exciting, terrifying, confusing all mixed into one. It has definitely been a benefit for me though, being a mature aged student......having the will power and the drive to actually see it through. If I had have done this when I was 20, I would have moved on. Just having that maturity as an older student has been a benefit.”

Phillip has been conducting research on 3D printing and how this technology can have major impacts on crime investigations. Phillip is becoming a leading researcher in this field and was 1 of 20 students across the country selected to present at the International Symposium on the Forensic Sciences held in Perth in September this year. Phillip delivered a presentation and prepared a poster (shown above) based on his research for scientific and industry experts from around the world. Tell us about the experience of the conference. “There were people from all over the world; New Zealand, the US, England and Canada. I am not one who likes to have the spotlight on me so it was challenging. I was presenting brand new research to experts so it was daunting, but it was very well received and it was really rewarding. From the conference I have connected with researchers in other states.” Where do you want to go from here with your research? “I want to go as far as it will take me. I would love to do my PhD in this area. This summer I will be submitting my papers to be published in the Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences.” What advice would you give others who may be thinking about studying? “You have to take the leap, you have to go for it. I had no idea this is where I would end up from going back to study.....that I could be publishing articles in a national journal at my level of study. “It doesn’t happen overnight, it takes hard work. You need motivation, you need to be stubborn and you need support. Access Housing has given me the stability to be able to focus on studying. The financial support from the Creating Choices Scholarship has also made a big difference.”

TENANT SPOTLIGHT

TENANCY TIPSSUMMER SAFETY As the holidays begin and the weather heats up, it is important to make sure your home is safe. Ensuring your smoke alarms are working and you take care around the home will help you stay safe over the summer period.

Your home has at least one mains powered smoke alarm with a battery back-up. For your safety, we recommend that you: 1) Test your smoke alarm/s every month by pressing the test button. The alarm should sound an alert tone several times. If you cannot reach the test button, use a broom or mop handle. 2) Never cover or paint over your smoke alarm/s. 3) Visually check that your smoke alarm/s are free of dust and cobwebs. A smoke alarm fact sheet can be obtained from any Access Housing office. If your smoke alarm starts beeping, please ring our Maintenance Hotline on 1800 203 383. Your Tenancy Officer will also check your smoke alarm/s during property inspections. Any smoke alarms that have been deliberately damaged, modified, removed or made inactive will be replaced and the cost charged to you.

Stove and saucepans: Do not leave them unattended. Turn pot handles in so they cannot be knocked over and start a fire. Christmas decorations: Decorations made from light materials such as cardboard and paper can burn very easily. Keep them away from lights and candles. Wood fires: Do not light a wood fire in your house unless you have a maintained fire place with a chimney. Smoking: Ensure cigarette butts are extinguished before putting them in a bin. Do not smoke in bed.

Candles and incense: Never leave a candle or incense burning in an unattended room. Christmas lights: Switch them off when you leave the house and when you go to bed. Electrical appliances: Replace appliances with frayed or damaged cords. Do not overload power points or power boards. If a fire starts in your home, do not try to put it out. Get everyone safely out of the house and call 000. If you live in a unit and a fire starts outside your unit and it is not safe to leave, close all the doors and all the windows and call 000.

FIRE SAFETY IN THE HOME

Tenants are politely reminded that Access Housing does not approve the installation of swimming pools (including temporary, portable and inflatable pools) or spas at any of our properties. In the interests of child safety, we also do not approve ponds or water features at any of our properties.

SMOKE ALARM SAFETY

NO SWIMMING POOLS OR SPAS AT ACCESS

HOUSING PROPERTIES

The majority of fires that occur in homes can be prevented with some small steps and a bit of extra care. These tips are timely for the Christmas period, with increased use of candles and Christmas lights. Here are some simple reminders:

SUMMER PUZZLE - WIN A $50 BUNNINGS VOUCHER! E M A I L I N F L A T A B L EA W K V S T K B X E T I P C IC R E A T E C O L J S A H G N

A F Q J B D P L D W J R N V C

J R I Q A Z C V O M I N V A LI E W R B N S U N S D K G F UR K P I E Y I D T Y U V N V SE N G A J F C M J K Y R L G IM A Y B W C A D M I T Q E N OM J A V H S T U R H E D F O NU F D T I J E V A M F S J B RS T B C T M K T L J A T O B PF G X G E A O X A F S H B I OH O M E R D M C J T K Y D R O

A L E N A P S X O F F I C E LFind all the words in the word search except for one, which is not actually in the grid. Words may be forward, backward, up, down or diagonal. Write this leftover word on a postcard or piece of paper with your full name, address and contact number and post to At Home Summer Puzzle, Access Housing, PO Box 105, Burswood WA 6100 or hand it in at your local office. Competition closes Friday 8 March 2019. The winner of a $50 Bunnings voucher will be drawn from all the correct entries after this date. Only one entry per household. Good luck!

Congratulations to Thea from

Brentwood, last edition’s puzzle

prize winner.

FIND THESE WORDS IN THE GRID - GOOD LUCK!

DISABILITY INCLUSION

DAY PANEL

CREATE SUN

SAFETY SUMMER

CHRISTMAS SMOKE ALARM

INFLATABLE POOL

OFFICE CLOSURE

FIRE HOMEWHITE

RIBBON EMAIL

Peel Office 4 Stevenson Street PO Box 1200 Mandurah WA 6210 P (08) 9534 0400 F (08) 9583 5173 E mandurah@accesshousing.org.au Office Hours (Mon-Fri): 9am-4pm

Head / Metro Office Level 7, 25 Rowe Avenue Rivervale WA 6103 PO Box 105 Burswood WA 6100 P (08) 9430 0900 F (08) 9430 5583 E info@accesshousing.org.au Office Hours (Mon-Fri): 9am-4pm

www.accesshousing.org.au

South West Office 1st Floor, 25 Victoria Street PO Box 1539 Bunbury WA 6230 P (08) 9722 7200 F (08) 9721 7222 E bunbury@accesshousing.org.au Office Hours (Mon-Fri): 9am-4pm

If you are planning on being away from your home for more

than one week at any given time, please let your Tenancy Officer

know so we are aware your home will be vacant.

When you inform your Tenancy

Officer, please provide your emergency contact details

for while you are away.

Please also make sure you continue paying your

rent while you are away.

GOING AWAY OVER CHRISTMAS?

HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURES

All Access Housing offices will be closed over the Christmas / New Year period from

4pm Monday 24 December 2018 until 9am Wednesday 2 January 2019.

Offices will also be closed on Monday 28 January 2019 for the Australia Day public

holiday.

Please report all urgent and emergency maintenance during these times to

1800 203 383.

Please call the office in the new year to report routine maintenance issues as none will be actioned over the closure period.