The latest news from WPI
WPI Update September 2020
2020 is proving to be a year to forget but we are determined to continue to deliver new housing for women and children at risk of homelessness.
Stage 4 Restrictions in Melbourne have had a significant impact on our tenants and the way that we deliver our service. Our team continues to work remotely and operate as safely as possible based on advice from health authorities and within the limitations these restrictions create.
Knowing that this crisis is far from over, we are really encouraged by some exciting progress across a range of projects. We are also energised by the efforts being made to lobby all levels of government to invest in a social housing led recovery which will create jobs and provide homes for those who desperately need them.
We are thrilled that our six home development in Pakenham is now complete and construction is well underway on other developments that we are involved with.
The first week in August was National Homelessness Week and the theme was simple and clear - everybody needs a home. At a time when there is tremendous hardship for so many people, we must remember that a safe and secure home is a fundamental human need. You can't stay at home if you haven't got one.
Please stay safe during this difficult period. The road seems very long, but the reward is great. Please follow the rules and the advice of the experts. We will come out on the other side of this a stronger and closer community.
I Am Woman
We are really disappointed to not have been able to hold our movie night fundraiser this year. It is something that we, and we know many of you, look forward to. We had planned a screening of the Helen Reddy Biopic, I Am Woman, a film that resonates with WPI and our supporters.
The movie is available to stream now on Stan. Why not watch it at home (with friends if the restrictions where you live allow it) and make a donation in the amount that you would have paid for your ticket to come and watch it with us at the Kino - $35. We can’t give you the glass of bubbles, or the popcorn and choc top – but you’ll feel great!
Pakenham complete
WPI’s six homes in Pakenham are now complete. They look amazing! Surrounded by parkland, these homes were designed by Schored Projects and built by SJD Homes. They will accommodate six local families experiencing housing crisis, many of whom are escaping family violence.
Stage 4 Restrictions present big challenges for our Tenancy and Property Managers but they are working hard to make sure that families can move in very soon.
This development would not have been possible without generous contributions from the Victorian Government, the Edward Wilson Trust and Cardinia Shire Council!
Brighter Futures Program
This is Josh (well his hands at least). Josh is 11 and lives with his mum, Maria, in one of our homes. Their home is a place where they have been able to heal from trauma and where Maria's very violent ex-partner can't find them. Josh has autism and has compromised immunity so he wasn't able to go back to school when everyone else did. Maria has been home schooling like so many parents, but this was really difficult with an old and not very well functioning computer. With help from some very generous supporters we were able to provide funding for a new one, with a touch screen, which really helps Josh. His teachers have been super impressed with his work and he is staying connected to classmates. We hope he is back at school soon. Great work on that spelling test Josh!
Support for education and learning is needed more than ever during this crisis. Many of our tenants have expressed a need for their children to have access to additional resources to help them learn, overcome problems, keep them in school and complete Year 12. With funding from generous supporters, including Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation's Youth in Philanthropy Program and Clayton Utz, WPI has introduced the Brighter Futures Program. It allows tenants to apply for small grants that will help with electronic devices and home Wi-Fi (to support remote learning during Covid-19 government restrictions and school closures), remote tutoring services, school uniforms and shoes, textbooks, backpacks, extra curricula activities, school excursions and camps (post Covid-19 restrictions and children returning to school).
If you would like to contribute to our Brighter Futures program that provides educational support for kids like Josh, living in WPI homes, donate now.
Lunar Apartments
We have also purchased ten 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments in Bundoora that are funded through the Victorian State Government’s Social Housing Growth Fund. The Lunar Apartments, part of the Polaris 383 development, are conveniently located and offer excellent access to services.
Construction is progressing well, with the structure now complete, fully locked down and water tight. All windows are in and fit out is moving forward through the building, despite Stage 4 restrictions requiring the builder to work with significantly reduced workforce on site. The latest forecast is for practical completion in mid January 2021.
Nightingale Village
We are very excited about the progress at Nightingale Village in Brunswick. With funding from the Victorian Government’s Social Housing Growth Fund and a significant contribution from Matrix Guild, WPI has purchased five 1 bedoom and four 2 bedbroom apartments in Nightingale Evergreen and Nightingale Skye House. These will be affordable, sustainable, community focused homes for women at risk of homelessness.
Nightingale Village is a collection of six neighbouring buildings, each designed by a different award-winning architect using the social, environmental and financial sustainability principles of the Nightingale model.
Work is continuing as fast as possible on site and is still scheduled to be completed by the middle of 2021. We are thrilled to be part of this socially, financially and environmentally sustainable development!
Image credit: Nightingale Housing
Matrix Guild and Sara Elkas
Matrix Guild have made a substantial contribution to the purchase of three apartments in Nightingale Evergreen. This purchase was made possible by a bequest from the late Sara Elkas. Sara was a founding member of Matrix Guild, an organisation with a strong connection to WPI that provides a voice for lesbians over 40. She worked closely with WPI to apply another bequest to Matrix Guild (from Heather Chapple) to assist WPI with the purchase of three other apartments in Brunswick in 2011.
Sara was very proud of her involvement in setting up the first Australian affordable housing initiative specifically for old lesbians. She left a substantial part of her estate to Matrix Guild and it was her partner of 23 years, Shoshi Goldman's belief, that she would like this spent on housing for older lesbians – a cohort that is extremely vulnerable to housing insecurity.
We are very grateful to Sara and Matrix Guild for their contribution to these apartments that will be life changing for the women involved.
Victorian Homeless Fund House
WPI recently took possession of a beautiful home in Melbourne’s south east, donated by the Victorian Homeless Fund. This beautiful house is now home to a mum and her three children who have experienced family violence. They are absolutely over the moon with the home, which was donated fully furnished and landscaped.
The Victorian Homeless Fund are a group of volunteers who work tirelessly to assist the homeless by building and renovating houses. This home was developed by the VHF and built by SJD homes (who were also WPI’s builder partner for the new homes in Pakenham). The project was made possible with the support of a wide range of generous suppliers and tradies. Thanks to them, this family has a new beginning and they couldn’t be more grateful.
Gifts in Wills
Many of our supporters are not able to make donations right now. But have you ever thought about helping women and children facing homelessness by leaving us a gift in your will? Gifts in wills are a practical and valuable way to give. Every gift, large or small, helps us create new beginnings for women and children with safe, permanent and affordable homes.
There are several ways to do this, such as gifting an amount of money or a property. Get more information about how to leave us a gift in your will.
Homelessness Week
The first week in August was Homelessness Week, a national week to shine a spotlight on issues facing people experiencing homelessness. WPI is a supporter of the Everybody’s Home campaign, calling on our government to fix Australia’s housing system and urgently provide more social housing.
You can’t stay at home if you don’t have one. WPI asked Peter Khalil, Member for Wills (an electorate where we provide many homes) to sign the social housing pledge and show his support for building of social housing to create jobs and end homelessness. You can join the campaign here. Everybody’s Home is asking Australian’s to email our Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg to create desperately needed jobs during this crisis and homes that renters can afford by investing in social housing. Let the Treasurer know that everybody in Australia needs a home here everybodyshome.com.au/email-josh-frydenberg/
JobSeeker COVID supplement
Our CEO, Jeanette Large, spoke with The Guardian about how vital it is that the Coronavirus supplement to JobSeeker stays in place. It has been a game changer for some of the women living in our homes who have lost jobs and faced increased expenses related to home schooling and living costs at this time of year. It's allowed them to do more than just exist.
According to ACOSS, 2.3 million people are facing a $300 a fortnight cut to their incomes when the government reduces this supplement and there are 1.1 million children living in these affected households. It has to stay. For good! Read more
Can you make a monthly donation. Even $20 per month makes a huge difference. Just choose the monthly option when choosing your payment method.
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