Communitylink

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Link Housing Ltd ACN 003 0840 928 (02) 9412 5111 Level 12, 815 Pacific Hwy, Chatswood www.linkhousing.org.au

winter2016

Message from the CEO...................1

Our new Chief Operations Officer....2

Link’s Gardening Competition..........2

Free laptops!....................................2

Keep wipes out of pipes!................2

Link Community Fund.....................3

Water charge allowance..................3

Rent Deposit Reference Number.....3

Art Exhibition....................................4

Free courses at Crows Nest TAFE..5

Link Scholarships 2016/2017..........5

Outreach Office Opening Times.....5

Chatswood Community Expo..........6

Nationally accredited coaching.......6

Opal for jobseekers.........................6

In thIs Issue

Message from the CeO

Welcome to our winter tenant newsletter where the temperatures outside reminds us of the importance of having a home. In June I took part in the Vinnies CEO sleep out for the 2nd time, and managed to raise nearly $7,500. All funds are donated to homelessness services for those experiencing homelessness, and who require immediate and emergency assistance.

Link are also pleased that we have been shortlisted as one of nine groups in the NSW Government’s Social and Affordable Housing Fund (SAHF) tender. This means our team are working hard to further develop this proposal in order to provide more homes for people in need.

In April, we held a successful affordable housing event in North Sydney with over 150 people attending including the NSW Treasurer, The Hon. Gladys Berejiklian MP. We also held our very first public Art Exhibition – What a Home Means to You. I’d like to thank all the artists who took the time to create a piece that highlighted such an important theme. A special thank you to our very talented tenants who contributed to, and attended the event.

Finally, I have the pleasure of welcoming Kathleen Cain into the Chief Operating Officer role. Many of you will know Kath as Link’s, General Manager Housing, and we are delighted she is now leading the operations function at Link. There are some very exciting times ahead.

I hope you are all well, and I look forward to saying hello again soon.

Andrew McAnulty, CEO, Link Housing

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A big hello to our new ChiefOperationsOfficer

You will have heard that Samantha Male moved onto to pastures new a couple of months ago. After a very rigorous recruitment process, our very own Kath Cain was successful in the role. Kath was selected from a shortlist of very high calibre candidates. The General Manager of Housing role is in the process of being filled, with Kath covering both positions in the meantime.We also have two new housing managers. Billie Jo Williams now manages Elizabeth Reid’s old portfolio and Nicole Foster now manages Natasha Carson’s portfolio until she come back from Maternity leave in 2017.

Link housing’s Gardening Competition

Link Housing gardening competition is just around the corner. Now is the time to start planning and planting your gardens for the summer. There will be more information about how to enter in the spring newsletter, but in the meantime here’s a little inspiration.

Free laptops!

Link Housing has a number of second hand laptops available free for our tenants. And for a small charge of $160, paid by you, Link will have the laptop upgraded with the latest technology to ensure a fast processing speed that will ensure the laptops run like a new machine. To apply for one of the laptops, you will need to show us how you would benefit from receiving one, and what difference it would make to you day to day.Please call Suzanne Sheerin on 9412 5104 for further details.

Keep wipes out of pipes!

There’s something lurking in our pipes and it isn’t pretty. 500 tonnes of wet wipes are removed from our sewers each year. Wipes can get stuck in your system and cost $1000’s in plumbing bills each year. Link has seen an increase in pipe blockages in the last couple of years. Please help our waste water system and dispose of the following items in your household garbage collection service and nOt down the pan! • Wet wipes • Nappies • Rags • Sanitary items • Cotton buds • Dental floss • Fats and oils • Cigarette buds • Newspapers • Kitty Litter.

Only human waste and toilet paper should be flushed! Should evidence suggest that blockages are being caused by tenants flushing inappropriate items down the toilet, it will be treated as tenant damage and a fee will be issued to rectify the issue.

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Waterchargeallowance

Link Housing may grant a maximum 100 kilolitre allowance to tenants with separate water meters if: • The tenant of the household is on a home based dialysis machine • The tenants or a household member has a medical condition or disability that requires them to use significantly more water than usual • Households with more than six approved members

All applications for the water charging allowances must be submitted in writing together with the evidence to support your claim.

RentDepositReferenceNumber

Recently, our finance team has had issues receipting your account. Please see below examples of what is being received and the correct way to use your deposit reference number. Your deposit number is 500261.

Right Way Wrong Way500261 500261rent500261 rent SuzanneSheerin500261

rent500261 water Ref 500261rent

500261wtaer and rent

The correct format when paying is “reference number” SPACE “written reference”. Not leaving a space, or putting the words before the number, will result in an error in the system.

When making payments on your rent, water or other non-rent payments lease, ensure you only use the method above. If they do not reference there is a high possibility that your money will be lost!

Supportforself-organisedcommunity groups – Link Community Fund

Do you sometimes wish you had greater connections with others who share the same interests? If you are in a situation where you would value regular time with others with shared interests, but are unsure how to go about finding those people, you could consider seeking the assistance of your local Ability Linker.

Linkers are available in your area and work towards building an inclusive community. They know how to establish community groups, can offer support and help bring ideas to life. Linkers support individual people wanting to connect with others by establishing social groups and hobby groups where there is a need.

Recently, one of the Ability Linkers approached a local council to ask whether it might be possible to establish a disability peer support group, as there was not one operating in his area. Not long after, he was invited back by the council to a meeting about setting up an Autism Support and Social Group. Some parents volunteered to start-up and facilitate group meetings and in May they started regular meetings. Ability Links will continue to support the project by promoting the group and providing information and advice to members as needed. Council has supported the group by helping to locate a suitable and affordable venue.

Ability Links is a free program funded by the NSW Government until 2018. For more information and contact details for your local Ability links providers please go to www.abilitylinksnsw.org.au or call02 8830 0768. Link Housing may also be able to offer some financial support for this kind of community activity through the Link Housing Community Fund. Call Ability Links on the number above or Suzanne Sheerin, Community Development Co ordinator on 02 9412 5104.

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“What a home means to you” Art Exhibition was a huge success! Over forty artworks were displayed, showcasing a wide cross-section of styles and interpretations of the theme. Many tenants submitted wonderful pieces and the opening event was attended by over 60 people. The exhibition really highlighted how important a safe secure home is to someone. The NSW federation of Housing Association was so impressed with the calibre of entries and the impact the exhibition has made, they have asked to exhibit ten of the pieces during the up and coming 2016 Affordable Housing Conference in July. A special thank you to all the wonderful artists who spent the time and effort to create pieces that were personal and encapsulated the theme in such a wonderful way.

One of our TAG members volunteered as part of the event to write a piece on what a home means to him (right).

“What a home means to you” Art exhibitionWhat Does My Home Mean to Me?

Identity and BeautyOur home is an expression of who we are. For me, a house or flat becomes my home when I have hung my pictures, both family and art. They express both my personal history and my love of beautiful things. And I have recently added a splash of red and black to my décor. That my home is beautiful, if only in a humble way, is very important to me.

This applies to the exterior too. It is important to all of us as social housing tenants that we show to the wider community that we take pride in our home and keep our places looking neat and tidy.

And every man needs a shed. I am establishing mine on my little balcony. I have built a workbench that fits the space and set up trunks to secure my tools. The balcony also gives me a restful view of trees and spectacular sunsets.

Privacy, Peace and QuietThis is my private space. If I want to be alone I can be. And I am in charge here, this is my domain. How this place functions isfor me to decide.

Getting peace and quiet can be a challenge in blocks of flats and I have had some problems but my landlord has protected my rights in this regard. And I do my best to respect the rights of others. If I have to do something noisy I do it during the day. My block is on a busy road but I am towards the back so traffic noise does not worry me.

Being on the first floor means that there are no passers-by who might see in so I don’t have to keep the blinds drawn. It just happens that there is no direct line of sight from or into the neighbouring buildings either. Lucky again.

Familiarity, Comfort and Convenience and SociabilityOur home is the place we know best. We know how the spaces work. We know where everything is. It’s a comfortable feeling.Adjusting to being a single man moving out of a three bedroom house into a one bedroom flat required some downsizing. But now I have just as much space and stuff as I need and take pride in not taking up more housing space than necessary.

My bedroom is big enough to accommodate my office as well as my bed and when I am doing architecture work the bed becomes a work surface to spread drawings out on.

I like the separation of bed and bathroom from living space by way of a corridor which also provides storage space and a wall to hang my family pictures on.

The kitchen works quite well and I have furnished the lounge room with my comfortable chairs and tables I can arrange to entertain up to eight people at a sit-down meal. I love cooking for guests.

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LinkHousingScholarships2016/2017

It is with great pleasure that Link annouces an opportunity for our tenants to apply for another round of scholarships. The Link Housing Education Scholarship Program provides opportunities for Link Housing tenants and members of Link Housing households, to access monetary assistance towards a recognised course of study. The funding can also be used to buy resources and equipment needed for a course of study or help with the costs of your children’s education. The scholarship can also be used to fund programmes for children who due to financial pressures would be unable to attend extra-curricular activities. Or perhaps you would like funding to attend mobility exercise classes or a gardening course now you have retired?

The scholarship program is focused on assisting people to: • attain the skills to return to employment • improve employment opportunities • improve education and career prospects • improve the well-being of the household.

Applicants must be a Link Housing tenant or household member and already be enrolled in a course. The deadline for applications is 31st August 2016. You can apply for the scholarship atwww.linkhousing.org.au. Or call the office on9412 5104 to have the forms posted to you.

OutreachOfficeOpeningTimes

Burdekinoffice,2VictorRoad,Brookvale2nd and 4th Thursday of every month.9.00am – 12.30pm. No disabled access.

RydeCentrelink,19-27DevlinSt,RydeNSW2112Every Tuesday.9.30am – 12.30pm & 1.30pm – 4.30pm.

FreecoursesatCrowsNestTAFE

Next semester TAFE have the following courses available at Crows Nest:

employability skills - 2 days a week for 8 weeks (Cert 1 Access to Work and Training 10087NAT) includes hospitality, retail and admin skills. Tues/Wed.

Informationtechnology(computing) - Cert 1-2 days a week for 8 weeks (ICT10115) Thurs/Friday.

Barista skills - a 3 day course held on Mondays.

Basiccomputingforthebeginner- Tuesdays for 8 weeks.

KirribilliCaféworkexperiencetraining - Fridays for 10 weeks.

Visualart- Thursdays for 8 weeks – the am class is for disability, pm class is mixed – 8 weeks.

All courses start mid to late July. Please call9448 4426 for further information or emailTracey.Chaffer@tafensw.edu.au to registeryour interest.

Location, HealthI am also lucky to have been given a home in a peaceful neighbourhood with public transport at the door, excellent shops within easy access and lovely bushwalks nearby. And being on the first floor is just the right number of stairs to give my newknee the exercise it needs.

SecurityProviding I pay the rent (it comes automatically out of my age pension, and is affordable, so no problem), and respect the property and my neighbours, I have security of tenure for life, very reassuring. There are over 200,000 people on waiting lists for public and social housing so I am very lucky and very grateful for having this place.

My place is secure, the doors and windows are lockable. Unless I invite them in, no one can get in here without breaking something. That gives me comfort.

My place is well maintained and protects me from the weather. I can control the amount of light and air that gets in. I can cool my space in summer and warm it in winter. Though my windows face west I am protected from the western sun by trees in my neighbours’ yard. I feel secure in my little nest.

John Murray 17/06/2016 – TAG member

Chatswood Community Expo & Bring Your Bills dayFriday 22 July 2016

AuditoriumDougherty Centre, 7 Victor Street, Chatswood

Where

Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) | PO Box A2436 Sydney South NSW 1235 | www.ewon.com.au | Freecall 1800 246 545

BookingsAlex 8218 5217alexandrat@ewon.com.au

Enquiries Narelle 8218 5241narelleb@ewon.com.au

The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON), St Vincent de Paul and Willoughby City Council have joined together to bring this special day to Chatswood. The Community Expo and Bring Your Bills day will link people to vital services to provide assistance with electricity, gas and water bills, tenancy and rental issues, legal and financial assistance, fine reduction and management, budgeting, loans, debt collection and insurance dispute, interest free loans, and much more…

Chat with EWON staff about problems you are experiencing with your electricity, gas or water accounts. We can review your bills, help resolve problems with your energy or water provider, check that you are receiving eligible energy rebates and discuss payment problems and energy contracts.

Staff are also able to discuss energy and water saving tips. Don’t forget to bring your current bills, past bills and letters from providers and Centrelink concession cards to help in the interview process.

Drop by or book an appointment with:• Financial Rights Legal Centre• NILS Chatswood• Legal Aid - Civil Debt and Work Development Order• Northern Sydney Area Tenants’ Service• St Vincent de Paul• Willoughby City Council and the MOSAIC Program• Sydney Water• NSW Fair Trading• Centrelink• Links Housing

Friday 22 July 20169.00am - 3.00pm

When

Book a time to meet with staff or drop

in on the day! Ring EWON for bookings

on 8218 5217

Chatswood Community Expo & Bring Your Bills dayFriday 22 July 2016

AuditoriumDougherty Centre, 7 Victor Street, Chatswood

Where

Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) | PO Box A2436 Sydney South NSW 1235 | www.ewon.com.au | Freecall 1800 246 545

BookingsAlex 8218 5217alexandrat@ewon.com.au

Enquiries Narelle 8218 5241narelleb@ewon.com.au

The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON), St Vincent de Paul and Willoughby City Council have joined together to bring this special day to Chatswood. The Community Expo and Bring Your Bills day will link people to vital services to provide assistance with electricity, gas and water bills, tenancy and rental issues, legal and financial assistance, fine reduction and management, budgeting, loans, debt collection and insurance dispute, interest free loans, and much more…

Chat with EWON staff about problems you are experiencing with your electricity, gas or water accounts. We can review your bills, help resolve problems with your energy or water provider, check that you are receiving eligible energy rebates and discuss payment problems and energy contracts.

Staff are also able to discuss energy and water saving tips. Don’t forget to bring your current bills, past bills and letters from providers and Centrelink concession cards to help in the interview process.

Drop by or book an appointment with:• Financial Rights Legal Centre• NILS Chatswood• Legal Aid - Civil Debt and Work Development Order• Northern Sydney Area Tenants’ Service• St Vincent de Paul• Willoughby City Council and the MOSAIC Program• Sydney Water• NSW Fair Trading• Centrelink• Links Housing

Friday 22 July 20169.00am - 3.00pm

When

Book a time to meet with staff or drop

in on the day! Ring EWON for bookings

on 8218 5217

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Chatswood Community expo

Nationallyaccredited careercoaching–FREE!

In these tough economic times, finding the right career can be tough, competition for jobs is rife and job seekers need extra skills to meet company demands. Selling yourself may not be a task that comes easily yet this is what we must do in order to advance in our professional lives.Our courses enable you to learn the skills to advance your career, to give you the edge over your competition and to make sure your employers recognise your true potential. From helping you construct a resume that engages and inspires to pitching for that promotion that you’ve always admired, we remove the obstacles and put you on a clear path to success.

You not only receive the expertise to allow you to promote yourself effectively for life, you also receive a globally recognised qualification that gives your CV or Resume a boost on its own. In just a couple of months, you’ll discover skills you never thought you had, you’ll unveil your hidden talents and emerge confident as a result. If you are interested in doing the course, please call 02 9412 5111 for more information and to register your interest.

Newsletter Design by Samuel Luke 2016

Opal for job seekers

The Concession Opal card is available for eligible NSW job seekers receiving the full rate of Newstart or Youth Allowance or one of the Centrelink benefits listed below. It gives you all the benefits of Opal plus fares at half the price of the Adult Opal card.

Who is eligible?Registered as looking for work and receiving one of the following Centrelink benefits: • Newstart Allowance • Youth Allowance (job seekers only) • Parenting Payment (partnered) • Partner Allowance • Widow Allowance • Exceptional Circumstances Relief Payment • Farm Household Allowance

Receiving one of the following Centrelink benefits: • Newstart Allowance (incapacitated) • Youth Allowance (incapacitated) • Special Benefit • Sickness Allowance