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12 December 2011 |
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Chief Executive's message
Dear staff
This is our last edition of Our House for 2011 and looking back it has definitely been a year of change for Housing NSW.
In this environment we have continued our commitment to delivering high-quality projects and services to help our tenants and people in housing need. I encourage you to reflect on our successes, and those of our FACS colleagues, in the recently published FACS Annual Report.
> Read more
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Raised garden beds in Willmot a delight for older residents
A senior’s development in Willmot has recently become more garden friendly for older tenants thanks to the Accessible Garden Project to enable residents to start gardens and grow their own food.
Organised by Blacktown City Council, Housing NSW, Willmot Community Connect Centre and Bunnings Minchinbury, a special day was held in November where six raised garden beds were built, and training was provided on how to use compost to grow healthy fruit and vegetables.
> Read more
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Coledale Community Day
 In late November, Coledale held a Community Information Day to showcase help provided by local services to tenants and the broader community.
Around 17 different providers participated in this collaborative event including Centrelink, social housing providers, TAFE, disability agencies, the Coledale Residents Association and the Coledale Garden Group.
> Read more
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Dr Leila Usher – a true success story
An inspirational success story about a former public housing resident Dr Leila Usher, is currently unfolding in the reality TV program – Young Doctors.
Growing up in public housing in Stockton with her Aboriginal mother, she left home at 15 and put herself through high school, the only child in her family to do so.
> Read more
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Airds Bradbury set for renewal
 Last week the NSW Government announced a groundbreaking Public Private Partnership (PPP) to deliver the Airds Bradbury Renewal Project.
NSW Minister for Family and Community Services, Pru Goward and NSW Minister for Finance and Services, Greg Pearce called for an Expression of Interest to transform 1,470 dilapidated public housing units into around 2,000 homes which will consist of a mix of social housing, affordable housing and private dwellings. > Read more
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Community support shown for the Redfern/Waterloo project
Despite the rain more than 140 people recently attended four workshops at the Redfern Town Hall to participate in the Redfern and Waterloo Preliminary Masterplan community design workshops.
The diversity of the local community was evident with social housing residents, private tenants and home owners joining with local business people to discuss a shared vision for the Redfern Waterloo area.
> Read more
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Purchase to Pay – a new way to pay invoices
The Purchase to Pay service was implemented in all areas of Housing NSW (except Assets Division) on 30 November 2011. Purchase to Pay ensures all FACS divisions use purchase orders as part of their standard procurement practice.
> Read more
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Appliance Assist – helping tenants to reduce energy bills
We are currently working with electricity distributor Ausgrid to help tenants buy new energy efficient fridges and washing machines. Appliance Assist gives tenants discounts of up to 50 percent off the recommended retail price, with the added benefit of being able to use an interest free loan for the purchase.
Old fridges and washing machines can cost twice as much to run as new, energy efficient models. Replacing old appliances can reduce electricity bills by up to $120 each year.
> Read more
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More crisis accommodation available in Tumut
Four women’s crisis accommodation units in Tumut, were handed over from Housing NSW’s Community Housing Division to Argyle Community Housing this week.
The newly refurbished one-bedroom units were acquired to replace an old four-bedroom house that was no longer suitable for crisis housing. > Read more
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Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Program
Applications open on 12 December 2011 for the 2012/13 Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Program which promotes job opportunities and career advancement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Department of Education and Communities program provides funding to NSW Government agencies for Aboriginal education, employment and training opportunities.
> Read more
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 In Issue 162 |
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| > Next Our House |
| Issue 163 |
If you have articles to be considered for inclusion in the next edition in January 2012, please email Our House or contact Nicole Bailey Senior Communications Officer on 8753 8121.
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