Tenant Update March 2022

After over two years of disruption due to Covid-19 we are very happy to be finally back in our “new” office. Here's how to get in touch with us:

• For property and tenancy issues call Karina on 9664 7800
• For urgent after-hours maintenance only call Valley Maintenance on 1800 088 106
• For anything else you can email enquiries@wpi.org.au
• Our new postal address is PO Box 18014, Collins Street East, Victoria 8003.

WPI Renter Survey

It is that time again!!! We are going online again!

A tenant survey will be sent out to you soon via email through survey monkey.

Every two years you get the opportunity to give us feedback about our services and we ask that you complete this short survey. Please be assured that your responses can be anonymous and will have no negative repercussions. We just really want to look for ways to improve our services and what we offer our Renters.

We would also like to find out more about the difference your home has made in your life, what we’re doing well and what we need to change to make our services better for you.

You don’t have to put your name at the end of the survey, so we hope you’ll feel comfortable about being honest in answering the questions. Feel free to add your own comments to any question.

However, if you choose to provide your name and address and you are one of the first 5 to send through a completed survey, you will receive a $50 Coles Myer Gift Card.

Furthermore, if you complete your survey by Saturday 30^th of April 2022 and have provided your name and address you will go into the draw and have the opportunity of winning one of two $100 Coles Myer Gift Cards.

If you have any queries about the upcoming survey, please contact us at  enquiries@wpi.org.au

Thanking you in advance for your help!

Brighter Future Small Grants Program

WPI has established the Brighter Future Small Grants Program with funding from some generous supporters. The grants are education focused and intended to help with expenses related to schooling, training and acquiring skills. 

Grants will be provided for such things as: school uniforms and shoes, textbooks, backpacks, electronic devices, home Wi-Fi, extra curricula activities, school excursions and camps (post Covid-19 restrictions), and home tutoring, training courses and materials needed for training and acquiring new skills. 

You can apply if you:  

·         Reside in a WPI owned property.

·         Be in receipt of either Centrelink income or low wage income.

·         Have a grant request that meets the purpose guidelines set out above.

Individual grants will range from $50 to $200. WPI may consider contributing to the purchase of an electronic device where applicable and on a case-by-case basis.

To apply, you can find the application form in the Brighter Futures Grants section of https://wpi.org.au/tenants/general-information-for-tenants/  or you can email enquiries@wpi.org.au and we can send it to you.

You can email the application to us at enquiries@wpi.org.au or mail it to us at PO BOX 18014, Collins Street East, Victoria 8003.

Once we receive your application, it will be reviewed, and you will be notified of the outcome within five days.

EMPower Program

Juno are recruiting participants for their 3^rd and final round of their EMPower coaching program.

Juno are looking for women who are interested and motivated to work with a coach for 18 months, to set and achieve goals across the interrelated areas of family, housing, health and wellbeing, finances, career and employment.

This program aims to equip participants with the confidence, skills and networks to enhance their economic freedom and take steps towards living a life that feels meaningful to them.

It is for women and non-binary people who are not currently in crisis but who have experienced homelessness or family violence in the past.

 EMPower isn't specifically an employment program, as they take more a of a holistic approach and can work on goals related to health, savings, networks etc.

If you are interested in the EMPower Coaching Program or just want more information, please get in touch with us at enquiries@wpi.org.au

Origin Energy – Power On Program

Are you an Origin customer and finding it difficult to pay your energy bills?

Origin has a new Power On program, which is helping customers who are experiencing payment difficulty get back on track with their energy account.

The support includes:

·         Making sure you are on the best available energy offer

·         Review of eligible concessions and rebate assistance including government grants

·         Payment plans and debt assistance payment options

·         Variety of payment methods (direct debit, Centrepay, Visa or Mastercard, cheque, Bpay, payment card or over the counter at Australia Post)

·         Support in closing the gap between usage and payments through a financial counselling referral and a free energy consultation

·         Bills can be sent to a third party at no charge

·         Energy efficiency information to help reduce your bill

·         Information on how to better understand your bills

·         Access to resources available on our website

The Origin customer advocacy team are available to support you.

Call 1300 674 446 (PIN 105) or contact them via Live Chat (Financial Support - Origin Energy) and the team will guide you through how the program can help.

If you are currently with another retailer and would like to find out more about Origin’s energy plans, please contact 13 24 61 (and press 2 at the prompt) or visit the website https://www.originenergy.com.au/ and select “see our plans” for our latest offers.

For more information please follow this link: Financial Support - Origin Energy

OCTEC

Lost your job or looking for work or just not sure what job you can do?

OCTEC are a Jobs Victoria Employment Service partner and are a voluntary service.

They help communities of Victoria and support people into viable jobs, if this sounds like you and would like some support and assistance, they would love to help you!

Pleaser reach out to Erica – Employment Mentor on:

Mobile: 0478 435 045

Phone: 03 9086 3624

Email: e.page@octec.porg.au

Website: www.octec.org.au

Arrears and Assistance

If your income or circumstances suddenly change, call us ASAP to notify us of the change! If you contact us as soon as you know something, we will work with you to avoid you falling into arrears on your rent, and if you are behind, call us and we will arrange a payment plan that you can afford.

For example, Kirsty[1] is currently paying rent based on her Centrelink Parenting Payment, Kirsty’s youngest child is turning eight (8), as soon as this happens Centrelink will require Kirsty to apply for Jobseeker payments. Once approved by Centrelink, Kirsty will need to complete a new rent review form and her rent will be adjusted accordingly so she can sustain her tenancy and afford her rent.

[1] Not her real name