Governance and legal

included enhancements to the project management framework, a higher level of engagement with stake-holders and further building on project management capability across the business. The PMO is also focussed on assisting project managers achieve their objectives, with FY2020–2021 seeing a significant uplift in projects being completed on time.

The completion rate of projects increased significantly year on year, with the PMO supporting the business to complete 25 projects including: • Providing advice in the alignment of the project portfolio to our strategic objectives • Developing and improving project standards • Building project management capacity and maturity • Proactively supporting staff to advance their projects • Advocating for best practice • Being a source of expertise for stakeholders.

Our Governance and Legal team continue to be an integral part of our organisation, responsible for the legal, governance, secretariat, regulatory, policy, audit, risk and compliance functions of the business.

The 2020–2021 financial year was particularly challenging as the team responded to sector wide challenges, including increasing workloads, new ways of working and the demand for more timely services across the business environment.

The team’s expertise assisted Evolve Housing negotiate the development and management of up to 156 units at Lidcombe to be used for social and affordable housing, making it one of Evolve Housing’s largest development projects to date. In addition, the team assisted with our involvement in a new housing development at Villawood, with 80 properties to be acquired as part of the company’s Affordable Housing and Community Housing Leasing Program, standardising property management agreements and a raft of other complex legal agreements which are now business as usual for the team.

Another major focus of the team has seen the raising of the bar of Evolve Housing’s governance standards. The latest NRSCH annual compliance report provided no recommendations for our business and the team have worked tirelessly to ensure all Board Charters, Terms of Reference and protocols have been updated to incorporate the latest industry standards, in addition to creating, reviewing, and updating internal policies.

Our internal audit undertook the completion of the Credit Card Review, with recommendations implemented across the business, to ensure Evolve Housing is operating to the best standard possible.

We were also successful in receiving our Australian Service Excellence Standards (ASES) accreditation for provision of Specialist Homelessness Services, with our existing processes being highly commended, placing us at the top of the industry.

Evolve Housing has also applied for registration as a community housing provider in Victoria and expects to receive that registration in the near future.

Our Governance and Legal team pride themselves on being well versed on industry developments and are a dedicated team who take pride and pleasure in partnering with and supporting all aspects of our business.