Evolve Housing Capability Statement

E VO LVEH OUSING CAPABILITY STATEMENT

WHAT WE DO At Evolve Housing, we aim to do more than put a roof over our residents’ heads.

We offer them a place in a thriving and inclusive community, with access to support programs to enhance every part of their life. Our purpose is to enable more people to live in quality homes in thriving and inclusive communities.

Every new social housing resident is offered a needs assessment with a Specialist Support Worker when they sign their tenancy agreement.

A Personal Support Plan is then drawn up which addresses personal health, wellbeing, education, training and employment needs, and includes referrals to external support partners if required.

A PERSONAL SUPPORT PLAN A HOME Our social and affordable housing residents are offered a home that is well suited to their needs and budget. Our properties are of a high quality.

We are highly responsive to maintenance requests and manage our residents’ tenancies fairly.

A NEW SKILL We offer support for residents who wish to upskill or change careers by providing access to an Employment Support Officer, exclusive job and training opportunities, and workshops relating to digital skills and money management.

We aim to create thriving and inclusive communities where people feel a sense of belonging. We regularly hold free and low-cost social events and activities that cater to the needs of our residents. These events are an opportunity to meet neighbours, feel part of a community, and enjoy new experiences.

AN EXPERIENCE We offer grants to support secondary and tertiary students to complete their education. We also offer grants to support young people to access sporting and physical activities.

A GRANT OR FINANCIAL HELP

A VOICE Residents have the opportunity to advocate on behalf of their communities through the Resident Advisory Group, which provides input into Evolve Housing programs and initiatives.

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CEO’S MESSAGE I am pleased to present Evolve Housing’s Capability Statement, which features information about our organisation’s operations, achievements and aspirations. It is our hope that this document will leave you with a broad understanding of our mission and what we are capable of delivering in the community housing space.

You will discover as you flick through the pages ahead

Teaming up with other like-minded organisations

that Evolve Housing is a special organisation which

across the private, not-for-profit and government

achieves exceptional results due to the hard work and

sectors is a crucial part of our strategy and we recognise

passion of our employees.

the importance of cross-industry partnership to growing the supply of community housing in Australia.

Our staff approach their jobs with great passion, enthusiasm and a sincere commitment to improving

As a well-established, award-winning community

the lives of our residents.

housing provider, we bring professionalism and experience to every project we are involved with

We currently serve more than 8,000 residents living in

and work hard to achieve positive results for all

over 4,000 social and affordable housing properties.

parties involved.

We continue to prepare our organisation so it has

We are always open to ideas and partnerships that will

the short- and long-term financial and organisational

grow the supply of housing in Australia, so if you believe

capacity to grow. Continued growth will allow us to

that your organisation can work productively with

positively impact more communities. Safe, stable

Evolve Housing, please feel free to reach out.

and affordable housing is an essential foundation for all Australians.

Lyall Gorman, CEO Evolve Housing

2020–2021 CAPABILITY STATEMENT

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PROACTIVE, INNOVATIVE, HIGH PERFORMING. WE DELIVER HOUSING SOLUTIONS TO EMPOWER PEOPLE.

Focus on Masom, 51 Homer Street, Moonee Ponds, Victoria

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EVOLVE HOUSING Evolve Housing is an award-winning not-for-

1,300 properties through a joint venture in

profit Tier 1 Community Housing Provider.

Tasmania called Centacare Evolve Housing.

We deliver housing solutions and services that support people to achieve their potential and

Evolve Housing is a registered charity, including

attain a better quality of life.

registration in the Donor Gift Recipient and Pubic Benevolent Institution sub-groups.

Our NSW portfolio includes approximately

We are also a registered Specialist Disability

4,000 dwellings and supports around 8,000

Accommodation provider under the National

residents. We have a presence in 38 local

Disability Insurance Scheme.

government areas across metro Sydney, the Hunter region, NSW Central Coast and the

We are based in NSW, with offices in Parramatta

Mid-North Coast. We support a further

and Penrith. We employ over 100 staff.

ECHO REALTY Echo Realty, a division of Evolve Housing,

across NSW, primarily in Greater Western Sydney,

is a profit-for-purpose real estate agency.

northern Sydney, south-west Sydney and the

The team are licensed real estate agents

Central Coast.

specialising in private and affordable housing property management.

In 2019, we expanded into Victoria, offering affordable housing for key workers employed in

Formally established in 2017, we are one of the

essential industries such as aged care, health care,

largest affordable housing providers in NSW.

education, emergency services, law enforcement

We manage over 1,300 affordable properties

and childcare.

2020–2021 CAPABILITY STATEMENT

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OUR PROPERTY PORTFOLIO AND RESIDENTS SOCIAL HOUSING TYPES: • Crisis • Transitional • Supported

8,000 RESIDENTS LOCATED IN 4,000 DWELLINGS ACROSS NSW

• Low income

RENT: • 25% of gross household income

57% ARE WOMEN 43% ARE MEN

ELIGIBILITY: • Low to very low income • NSW Housing Pathways

RESIDENTS LIVE IN 38 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS

AFFORDABLE HOUSING TYPES:

• Evolve Housing owned • Investor and developer owned

90% OF RESIDENTS LIVE IN GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

RENT: • 74.9% of market rent (Evolve Housing owned) • 80% of market rent (investor and

62% LIVE IN SOCIAL HOUSING

developer owned) • Generally capped at 30% of gross household income

ELIGIBILITY:

33% LIVE IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING

• Low to moderate gross income • Key and essential workers

OTHER HOUSING TYPES • Seniors housing • Youth housing • Disability housing • Supported housing • Domestic violence housing • Aboriginal housing

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5% LIVE IN SUPPORTED DISABILITY OR TRANSITIONAL ACCOMMODATION

44% OF SOCIAL HOUSING HOUSEHOLDS ARE LONE PERSON

15% OF HOUSEHOLDS ARE SINGLE PARENT

7.7% OF SOCIAL HOUSING RESIDENTS WERE PREVIOUSLY HOMELESS

1.7% IDENTIFY AS ABORIGINAL OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER

37% OF RESIDENTS WERE BORN OVERSEAS

22% OF SOCIAL HOUSING RESIDENTS ARE ON THE DISABILITY SUPPORT PENSION

88% OF ADULT RESIDENTS IN SOCIAL, TRANSITIONAL AND DISABILITY HOUSING HAVE WELFARE PAYMENTS AS THEIR MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME

18% OF SOCIAL HOUSING RESIDENTS RECEIVE THE AGE PENSION

2020–2021 CAPABILITY STATEMENT

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“WE WERE LOOKING AT PROPERTIES FOR TWO TO THREE MONTHS BEFORE FINDING THIS ONE. THE OTHER APARTMENTS WE LOOKED AT WEREN’T GREAT AND ANYTHING SIMILAR WAS AT LEAST $80 PER WEEK MORE. NEITHER OF US DRIVE AND IT’S CLOSE TO FAMILY AND WORK.” Epping residents, Natasha and Harry

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PROPERTIES Evolve Housing is committed to providing

integrated housing developments comprising

housing solutions to eligible persons on

social, affordable and private apartments.

very low to moderate incomes who are unable to access appropriate housing in the

A priority area is to develop Specialist Disability

private market.

Accommodation (SDA) properties that Evolve Housing can own or manage on behalf of eligible

We continue to grow our capacity to deliver

participants and disability services providers.

a number of stand-alone projects as well as

FUNDING AND PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

MANAGED PROPERTIES:

Evolve Housing has developed a

• Affordable apartments for key workers managed

number of properties in collaboration

on behalf of First State Super located in: Moonee

with project partners including:

Ponds, Epping, Waterloo, and Hurstville

• Department of Communities and Justice (formerly known as Families and Community Services) • Property developers

• SYDNEY OLYMPIC PARK Affordable apartments • PARRAMATTA AND WILLOUGHBY COUNCIL Affordable housing management

• Other non-profit organisations

UNDER CONSTRUCTION: We also manage social, affordable and private

Estimated completion 2020

housing tenacies on behalf of other clients

• CANTON BEACH, CENTRAL COAST

including investors.

KEY PROJECTS

RECENTLY COMPLETED:

30 social and affordable apartments • MEREWETHER ST, NEWCASTLE CBD 26 affordable apartments and four SDA apartments

• HARTS LANDING, PENRITH, 268 social, affordable, private apartments • TETRIS VILLAGE, GUILDFORD, 23 social and affordable studio apartments • KING GEORGES ROAD, ROSELANDS, 26 social and affordable studio apartments 2020–2021 CAPABILITY STATEMENT

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124 AFFORDABLE AND SOCIAL HOUSING APARTMENTS IN THE 268 APARTMENT COMPLEX.

Harts Landing, 1–39 Lord Sheffield Circuit, Penrith NSW

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HARTS LANDING Harts Landing is an award-winning development that brought together our deep

Construction started in April 2016 and was

understanding of community housing and

completed in February 2018, with the property

the expertise of property developer PAYCE to

fully tenanted by April 2018.

improve the lives of hundreds of people in western Sydney.

A number of partners, government agencies, ministers and stakeholders have toured

Together, Evolve Housing and PAYCE developed

Harts Landing to learn more about this innovative

a 268-dwelling apartment complex featuring

mixed tenure development.

14 social, 124 affordable and 130 private market apartments, including 27 adaptable apartments

AWARDS:

for people living with a disability. The project

• Leading Housing Development, 2019 NSW

received funding from the NSW and Federal Governments.

Australasian Housing Institute Awards • Silver Award in Architecture, Residential (constructed category), 2018 Sydney Design

It consists of three architecturally designed buildings rising nine storeys above a podium

Awards* • Silver Award in Graphic Design, Illustration and

level of common areas. All residents enjoy equal

Type category, 2018 Sydney Design Awards*

access to private recreational facilities including

• Best Affordable Housing Development, 2018

landscaped gardens and BBQ areas.

Urban Taskforce Development Awards • Highly Commended, 2018 Power Housing

Located in Thornton Estate in North Penrith,

Australian Business Partner Awards*

Harts Landing is a five-minute walk to transport * Jointly awarded with our project development partner PAYCE.

and amenities.

500 RESIDENTS

268 APARTMENTS

124 AFFORDABLE HOUSING APARTMENTS 14 SOCIAL HOUSING APARTMENTS 130 PRIVATE APARTMENTS 27 ADAPTABLE APARTMENTS FOR PEOPLE WITH A DISABILITY 2020–2021 CAPABILITY STATEMENT

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RECENTLY COMPLETED PROJECTS Evolve Housing is proud of our latest developments, located in the Sydney suburbs of Guildford and Roselands. These successful projects are the result of careful planning, respectful collaboration with building partners, and consultation with prospective tenants and the local community.

TETRIS VILLAGE, GUILDFORD This 23-studio apartment development was constructed using modular, pre-fabricated ‘building blocks’ that were constructed off-site and lifted into place over two days. This process shaved 3–4 months off the construction timeline.

The property provides homes for 36 social and affordable housing residents. There are eight affordable apartments and four accessible for people living with a disability. Two apartments are for young people aged between 16 and 24 years old.

KING GEORGES ROAD, ROSELANDS This 26-studio development was a partnership between Evolve Housing and Pacific Link Housing, supported by the NSW Government. Features and milestones: • 26 studio apartments, comprising 17 social and nine affordable apartments (including two accessible and eight adaptable apartments) • Communal room and outdoor terrace

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• Open landscaped spaces • Completed in November 2018 and officially opened in August 2019

PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION

KANTARA ROAD, CANTON BEACH

MEREWETHER STREET, NEWCASTLE

This 30-studio development is

This exciting development is

a partnership project with Pacific

located in the heart of the

Link Housing, supported by the

Newcastle CBD. It includes a mix

NSW Government.

of one-, two- and three-bedroom

Features and milestones:

apartments.

• 30 studio apartments

Features and milestones:

• 10 social and 20 affordable

• 30 affordable rental apartments

apartments (including five

including four Specialist

adaptable apartments)

Disability Accommodation

• Communal room

apartments

• Open landscaped spaces

• Communal rooftop terraces

• Anticipated completion

• Street activation with three

August 2020

commercial tenancies • Close to light rail, university, commercial and Civic Cultural Precinct plus Honeysuckle foreshore • Anticipated completion mid-2020

2020–2021 CAPABILITY STATEMENT

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OUR SERVICES TENANCY MANAGEMENT

The Unit ensures Evolve Housing has a highly-

Evolve Housing and Echo Realty have extensive

trained, experienced team to support the diverse

experience in successfully managing social and

and complex needs of our residents.

affordable housing tenancies. We have a proactive approach to tenancy management that involves

Staff work with social housing residents to identify

regular contact with residents and the provision of

their needs, then create a tailored Personal

support services. We also offer a range of programs

Support Plan that contains practical in-house

and grants to help residents transition to greater

support options along with referrals to external

independence.

services. Recommendations span financial and educational assistance, employment programs,

PROPERTY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT

health and wellness services and more.

Evolve Housing utilises an established panel of

EVOLVE HOUSING FOR YOUTH

property maintenance contractors that were

Evolve Housing for Youth (EHY), a division of

engaged through a competitive tendering

Evolve Housing, is a transitional housing service

process. We ensure that our properties are

that provides accommodation and support for

maintained in accordance with regulations and

young people aged 16–24. We have properties in

standards. Our asset maintenance activities and

the City of Parramatta and Cumberland Council

processes ensure that assets perform to the

local government areas. EHY accommodates

expected level and in a way that preserves their

young men and women, siblings, couples and

condition while minimising reactive maintenance

parents with young children.

interventions.

SUPPORT CO-ORDINATION UNIT AND PERSONAL SUPPORT PLANS

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PROGRAMS AND GRANTS Evolve Housing offers a range of programs and workshops for social and affordable housing

A dedicated specialist Support Co-ordination Unit

residents. They include workshops to help

is staffed by officers trained in case management

residents improve their digital literacy and money

with social work or community service

management skills, community garden groups, a

qualifications. All officers have been trained in

phone service for senior residents and a program

domestic violence support, trauma informed

to help residents reduce their power bills. Grants

practice and Indigenous cultural competency.

include financial support to complete tertiary

EVOLVE HOUSING

85% OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE SATISFIED WITH THE SERVICES THAT WE PROVIDE. 2018 Resident Satisfaction Survey

2020–2021 CAPABILITY STATEMENT

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8,000 RESIDENTS ARE LOCATED IN 4,000 DWELLINGS ACROSS NSW.

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education and improve high school performance, no interest loans to purchase essential household appliances and assistance with childrens’ sporting fees.

OPPORTUNITY PATHWAYS Evolve Housing is proud to deliver Opportunity Pathways, a NSW Government-funded employment program. The program offers a range of options to support participants on their employment journey, including help with resume and interview skills. Staff work alongside participants after employment has been obtained to ensure the opportunity is sustainable and mutually beneficial to the participant and their employer.

SPECIALIST DISABILITY ACCOMODATION PROVIDER Evolve Housing is a registered Specialist Disability Accommodation provider under the National Disability Insurance Scheme. We manage a portfolio of disability accommodation located across several metropolitan and regional Local Government Areas, providing tenancy and property management for over 50 group homes supporting approximately 230 residents.

2020–2021 CAPABILITY STATEMENT

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OUR PEOPLE 2018–2019 SNAPSHOT

112 EMPLOYEES

WORKING TO PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO AUSTRALIANS IN NEED

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OF THE MANAGEMENT POSITIONS, THERE WAS AN ALMOST EVEN GENDER SPLIT WITH 10 WOMEN AND 11 MEN IN MANAGERIAL ROLES

OF OUR STAFF HAVE TAKEN UP THE OPTION OF 1 DAY OF VOLUNTEER LEAVE SINCE IT WAS INTRODUCED IN JANUARY 2019

41%

WERE EDUCATED AT THE TERTIARY LEVEL OR HIGHER

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STAFF IDENTIFY AS ABORIGINAL OR TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER

65% ENGAGED IN FLEXIBLE WORKING ARRANGEMENTS 20

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STAFF SPEAK DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

OPPORTUNITIES AND AWARDS OPPORTUNITIES Evolve Housing welcomes the opportunity to discuss potential partnerships.

Collaboration opportunities include: • Integrated property developments incorporating social, affordable and private dwellings • Delivery of programs and initiatives, targeting

• Feedback and letters of support for grant applications and public sector calls for feedback • Provision of housing services, property management, maintenance and other fee-for-service offerings • Advocacy — calling on all three tiers of government to continue to support mixed-development projects and initiatives.

vulnerable residents and community members

AWARDS

2018

Evolve Housing, including its divisions Echo Realty and

Silver Award in Architecture – Residential – Constructed

Evolve Housing for Youth, has been recognised with a

category, 2018 Sydney Design Awards (awarded for

number of prestigious awards including:

Harts Landing alongside our development partner PAYCE)

2019 Business of the Year, Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence (WSABE) Awards Excellence in Business, Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence (WSABE) Awards Commendation in the Affordable Development category for Tetris Village – 2019 Urban Development Institute of Australia Awards (UDI) NSW Awards Exceptional Social Enterprise within Western Sydney, 2019 ZEST Awards, awarded to Echo Realty Leading Housing Development at the NSW Australasian Housing Institute Awards – Harts Landing Excellence in Social Housing at the NSW Australian Housing Institute Awards – Personal Support Plans for residents Inspirational Team Member at the NSW Australian Housing Institute Awards – Charlie Souma (Senior Manager, Echo Realty)

Silver Award in Graphic Design – Illustration and Type category, 2018 Sydney Design Awards (awarded for Harts Landing alongside our development partner PAYCE) Parramatta Light Rail Excellence in Sustainability Award, 2018 Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence Highly Commended, Exceptional Community Partnership across a Region, 2018 Zest Awards (awarded for School Holiday Fun Day alongside Mission Australia Housing and St George Community Housing) Sustainability Program of the Year Award, 2018 Optus My Business Awards Finalist, Not-For-Profit Business of the Year Award, 2018 Optus My Business Awards Finalist, Businesswoman of the Year Award, 2018 Optus My Business Awards – Andrea Galloway Finalist, Excellence in Sustainability, 2018 NSW Business Chamber Awards

2020–2021 CAPABILITY STATEMENT

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY Evolve Housing acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land where we deliver our housing and services.

We acknowledge and pay our respects to all Elders past, present and future. We welcome all First Nations People to our services, as we walk together towards reconciliation.

THE ARTWORK In 2019, Evolve Housing commissioned Indigenous artist Sal Lavallee to create an artwork. “Land, River, Home” will be displayed in our Parramatta head office and included in a range of print and online publications.

The central blue design element, running from the top to the bottom of the artwork, represents water. Water is an important gathering point and source of food for Aboriginal communities. The water shape is open-ended and is a metaphor for the reconciliation process — an ongoing process that adapts according to the community’s needs and Evolve Housing’s reconciliation journey.

The top of the blue shape features a large circular element, representing Aboriginal communities coming together. Wrapped around this circle are icons of homes, representing the housing and support services provided

by Evolve Housing. The outer ochre-coloured design signifies many different Countries and Nations, showing journeys and communities coming together. Sal hopes this part of the artwork reminds Evolve Housing staff that the organisation provides services and homes to people from many Nations.

THE ARTIST Sal Lavallee hopes Aboriginal people seeing this work: “feel safe and a sense of connection, of being held within the community, and that there is cultural visibility”. She hopes nonAboriginal people feel: “a sense of curiosity and are intrigued to learn more about Aboriginal people’s connection to the land”.

2020–2021 CAPABILITY STATEMENT

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THRIVING COMMUNITIES FOR ALL PEOPLE

AFGHANISTAN • ALGERIA • ARGENTINA • ARMENIA • AUSTRALIA • AUSTRIA AZERBAIJAN • BAHRAIN • BANGLADESH • BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA • BRAZIL BULGARIA • BURUNDI • CAMBODIA • CAYMAN ISLANDS • CHILE • CHINA • CONGO CROATIA • CZECH REPUBLIC • EGYPT • EL SALVADOR • ETHIOPIA • FIJI • FRANCE • GERMANY • GHANA • GREECE • GUINEA • HONG KONG • HUNGARY • INDIA INDONESIA • IRAN • IRAQ • IRELAND • ISRAEL • ITALY • JAPAN • JORDAN • KENYA • KOREA • KUWAIT • KYRGYZSTAN • LAOS • LEBANON • LESOTHO • LIBERIA MACEDONIA • MALTA • MAURITANIA • MEXICO • MONTENEGRO • MOROCCO MYANMAR • NETHERLANDS ANTILLES • NEW ZEALAND • NICARAGUA • NIGERIA • NORTH SUDAN • PAKISTAN • PALESTINIAN TERRITORY • PAPUA NEW GUINEA • PERU • PHILIPPINES • POLAND • PORTUGAL • ROMANIA • RUSSIAN FEDERATION • SAMOA • SAUDI ARABIA • SERBIA • SIERRA LEONE • SOMALIA • SOUTH AFRICA • SOUTH SUDAN • SPAIN • SRI LANKA • SWITZERLAND • SYRIAN ARAB • REPUBLIC TAIWAN • THAILAND • TIMOR-LESTE • TONGA • TURKEY • TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS • UKRAINE • UNITED ARAB EMIRATES • UNITED KINGDOM • UNITED STATES • URUGUAY • UZBEKISTAN • VIETNAM • YEMEN • ZIMBABWE

CONTACT INFORMATION

COPYRIGHT

Street Address: 9–13 Argyle Street,

© Evolve Housing Limited. This material is copyrighted. Save as

permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, you are not permitted

Parramatta NSW 2150

Postal Address: PO BOX W124 Parramatta Westfield,

to copy, print or reproduce this material or a substantial part of

Parramatta NSW 2150

it or do any act which would amount to an infringement of the

Telephone:

1800 myevolve (1800 693 865)

Website: evolvehousing.com.au Email: info@evolvehousing.com.au

ABN 16 127 713 731

ACN 127 713 731

Social media:

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copyright in this material.

February, 2020