Vegepod growability program

Photo: Evolve Housing staff and residents

VEGEPOD GROWABILITY PROGRAM ROLLED OUT AT SDA PROPERTIES

In 2020–2021, we partnered with the Community Greening Project and garden supply company Vegepod to install community gardens in our Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) properties as part of the Growability program.

The Growability program was specifically developed for people living with a disability. It allows people with cognitive disability to establish and maintain a community garden. It supports the belief that all people benefit from time spent in green spaces, and that wellbeing is enhanced through meaningful interactions with nature. We have installed community gardens at 9 SDA properties across the Central Coast and Hunter Region, allowing 35 residents to have the opportunity to grow their own food, have a nice garden area to meet in, and enjoy the benefits of gardening.

One of the properties was located in Narara and is home to three Evolve Housing residents. These residents and some Evolve Housing staff had a fun day installing the veggie garden. Each resident also received a free watering can and gardening gloves.

The program comes as Evolve Housing continues to expand our SDA portfolio and look for ways to support our residents. As at 30 June 2021, we managed 95 SDA properties with a total of 350 tenancies.

PROVIDE QUALITY HOMES AND SERVICES

STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVES, ACTIONS, CRITICAL SUCCESS MEASURES AND ACHIEVEMENTS

OBJECTIVE ACTION

3.1 Improve our residents’ housing experience and sustain tenancies 3.1.1 Deliver programs, placemaking initiatives and community engagement that improve residents’ satisfaction with their neighbourhood and address community safety

3.1.2 Provide best practice tenancy management

SUCCESS MEASURE

Initiatives implemented to address anti-social behaviour/ safety

Inquiry response time targets are met

STATUS

PARTIALLY ACHIEVED: There is one more project to complete that was scheduled to be completed in FY20-21

PARTIALLY ACHIEVED: We introduced new services standards in FY20-21 and are working our way to meeting all the targets

3.2. Improve client satisfaction through high quality service provision 3.2.1 Seek to better understand our clients’ needs through feedback, consultation and research and incorporate their feedback into program and service delivery

3.2.2 Improve client satisfaction with overall services through well targeted service improvements Service changes introduced as a result of client feedback

Regular reporting against Client Service Strategy undertaken

ACHIEVED

ACHIEVED

3.2.3 Deliver our Strategic Asset Management Plan Implementation of Planned Maintenance Program

High level of client satisfaction with property repairs and maintenance as demonstrated by the internal post-work survey

Efficiencies and portfolio improvement as a result of asset optimisation plan

Environmental sustainability improvements made

ACHIEVED

ACHIEVED

ACHIEVED

ACHIEVED