CEO message

LYALL GORMAN

As we look back on the 2021–22 financial year, I am sure that we all feel a great sense of relief at the prospect of new beginnings and a return to normality after the challenges of COVID-19, lockdowns and the like.

When I reflect upon the year that was at Evolve Housing, I also feel a strong sense of pride, accomplishment and achievement through the incredible resilience and delivery of our amazing staff who have handled the challenges of remote working so well.

In addition to maintaining their own normal workloads as best as they could, many of our staff also took on additional responsibility to ensure the needs of our residents were met as they were continually affected (in so many ways) by the pandemic.

Whether it was making wellbeing phone calls or dropping off food packages to residents in lockdown, our team were always happy to go the extra mile for our residents. The qualities of selflessness, compassion and support that are so well-embedded in our company culture were truly on display during this time of great need and support.

While the darker days of the pandemic are behind us, the disruptions of the past two years have led to an even more challenging housing affordability crisis in Australia than our country has ever experienced. Fortunately, Evolve Housing is in a strong position, and has a determined commitment, to be part of the solution for those increasingly many Australians in need.

Throughout the 2021-22 financial year, we were involved in implementing several new government programs to provide housing and support to those most in need. We again delivered the Together Home program across three regions of Sydney. This year, our work in this program helped support more than 80 homeless clients to get into housing for a two-year period while also being able to access extensive support from a case worker to enhance each individual’s wellbeing and living skills.

In addition, we were successful in winning and delivering on a tender to acquire and manage a new 21-unit property in Guildford, and to manage the associated tenancies, including 12 that are specifically reserved for women escaping domestic and family violence. This cohort, along with older single women, is one that is in significant need of more access to social and affordable housing, and we are proud to be playing a stronger role in supporting this key area of need.

With a strong reputation in NSW as a trusted partner to government, residents, not-for-profits and private companies, we also made the decision to expand into the Victorian housing market this year, recognising that the need for housing solutions is a whole-of-country issue and responsibility — not just a state-based one.

We believe that our talented and dedicated team will have the same amazing impact interstate that we have had in NSW, and aim to draw on its skills, expertise and passion to provide quality housing services for even more Australians in need in the next financial year.

LYALL GORMAN

CEO, EVOLVE HOUSING

CHAIR, EVOLVE HOUSING