Tenant Newsletter April 2020
How to get in touch with WPI
You probably know that our office is temporarily closed as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, but we are still open for business, with all our staff working remotely! This is how you get in touch with us at the moment:
· For property and tenancy issues please call Karina on 0407 082 261 or Lara on 0488 111 504
· For urgent after hours maintenance only call Valley Maintenance on 1800 088 106
· For anything else you can email admin@wpi.org.au
We can still get letters in the mail and receive emails.
Urgent Maintenance
Here’s what the Residential Tenancies Act (Victoria) defines as urgent:
· A burst water service
· A blocked or broken toilet
· A serious roof leak
· A gas leak
· A dangerous electrical fault
· Flooding or serious flood damage
· Serious storm or fire damage
· A failure or breakdown of any essential service or appliance provided for water, hot water, cooking, heating or doing laundry
· A failure or breakdown in any appliance or fitting supplied by the landlord that will result in a large amount of water being wasted
· A failure or breakdown of the gas, electricity or water supply
· A serious fault in a lift or staircase
· Any fault or damage that makes the premises unsafe or not secure
Please tell us if you contract COVID-19
It’s really important that you let us know if you get COVID-19, or if anyone in your household has contact with someone who has. Please tell us as soon as you can!
Maintenance
WPI will be undertaking both routine and urgent maintenance requests if it is deemed safe as per the guidance outlined below.
The Tenancy and Property Manager will ask the tenant the following questions before they issue the job to a contractor: (the contractor is also asked the same questions)
- Have you or any other occupant of the property:
- Been diagnosed with COVID‐19?
- Suspect you may have COVID‐19?
- Been currently (but only recently) experiencing any of the following: fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, shortness of breath or breathing difficulties?
- Are currently in self-quarantine due to being overseas in the past two weeks?
- Been in contact with anyone who has returned from overseas in the last two weeks?
- Been in close contact with anyone confirmed to have COVID‐19?
If the tenant answers ‘No’ to all of the above questions, then the job will go ahead with the extra precautions as detailed below.
For all urgent and routine maintenance jobs, contractors will call the tenant first and ask the same questions outlined above. If the tenant answers ‘No’ to all the questions, then the job will be completed as per usual. If the tenant answers ‘Yes’ to any of the questions, then the contractor will do one of the following things based on the job type.
- Property Upgrades
WPI will not do any upgrades until the Government lifts Stage 3 restrictions.
- Urgent Jobs
- If works are proceeding to the inside of the dwelling, the tenant will be advised over the phone that they will need to wait in another room of the house with the door closed while the contractor completes the job. If works are proceeding to the exterior of their dwelling or the area surrounding their dwelling, then the tenant will be advised they are to wait inside their home while the contractor completes the job.
- To the extent possible, the contractor will wear the following Personal Protective Equipment when they attend the property – disposable face mask, full coveralls and gloves.
- When the contractor attends the property, the tenant will provide instructions over the phone wherever possible.
- The contractor will complete the job as quickly as possible.
- If the contractor needs to speak to the tenant during the job for additional information or clarification, this will be done while exercising the above precautionary measures.
- The contractor will notify the tenant when they have finished, then leave the house and property immediately (closing the front door behind them if they have been working inside the dwelling). The contractor is not required to have the tenant sign any documentation before leaving.
WPI requires all contractors to wear Personal Protective Equipment (e.g. mask as a minimum) and maintain a minimum 1.5 metre distance from the tenant and any other occupants at all times. There are to be no more than two people in a room at a time, including the contractor.
- Non-urgent jobs
The contractor will advise the tenant that given the answer to one or more of the questions was ‘Yes’ and that the job has been classified as non‐urgent, the job will be placed on hold. The contractor will advise the tenant that they will be contacted about the job as soon as can be arranged.
Support during Isolation
There’s lots of different support services out there to help you get through this difficult time. Here’s some of the most useful:
Safe Steps
We know that more women will experience family violence during social isolation restrictions as a result of a pandemic, and that it might be more difficult to access help during this time. Please know that safe steps is operating as usual – they are here 24/7 to answer phone calls, provide information, undertake risk assessments, safety planning and provide emergency accommodation to keep women, children and young people safe from family violence. Call: 1800 015 188
- WIRE
The Women’s Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE) team are proof that you can be physically distant but remain socially connected. They have support workers who are here to support you with whatever you are facing right now. They are available via email support@wire.org.au, web chat www.wire.org.au and phone 1300 134 130 on Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm. They offer social inclusion and well being calls two days a week. If you feel this is something you can benefit from please call them and leave a message and they’ll get back to you.
Free Therapy via Zoom
Jasmine Dindas is well known to WPI and has kindly offered to provide free online – via zoom – art therapy sessions to anyone feeling alone, isolated and generally in need of assistance in this strange time.
A little bit about Jasmine: she trained as secondary school teacher careers educator and then completed further studies with a main focus on women’s health. She has had twelve years in private practice as an art therapist. Jasmine’s qualifications include: B.A for Melbourne University, Grad. Dip. Education Monash University Vic Grad. Dip. Career Education R.M.I.T Grad. Dip. Expressive and Creative Therapy M.I.E.C.A.T
If this is something you would like to learn more about, please have a look at Jasmine’s website: www.expressivecreativetherapy.com.au. If you would like to access this service and make a time for a session, please email Jasmine and mention you are a WPI tenant: jasmine@expressivecreativetherapy.com.au
Access to Computers
If you need a computer for home schooling, WPI might be able to help you. Please email admin@wpi.org.au to find out more.
Groceries
If you are a senior or someone with a disability you can get your groceries delivered by Woolworths. You have to fill in a form on their website: https://www.woolworths.com.au/shop/discover/priorityassistance?icmpid=sm-hp-ribbon2:priority-assistance
Coles has a special shopping time for seniors, people with disabilities or anyone with a Health Care Card. You can go on Monday, Wednesday or Friday, between 7am and 8am. They can help you find things and carry groceries.
- Bills
There are lots of discounts and rebates available on your electricity, gas and water bills, if you have a health care card. You can call the Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521 to find out what you’re eligible for, or just call your electricity, gas and water companies and give them your health care card number.
- Emergency Relief in Moreland
Moreland Council delivered meals. To check for eligibility to receive Moreland Council Delivered Meal service please call Aged and Community Support phone number (03) 9240 2302.
Food relief organisations. All previous meals provided in a communal setting have been suspended temporarily. For more information email: foodsecurity@moreland.vic.gov.au
Details about places to find food relief: https://www.moreland.vic.gov.au/community-health/advocacy-services/housing-and-employment/food-relief/
Emergency Relief in Darebin
If you require support, call the DIVRS phone service on 9480 8200, Monday – Thursday between 9.30am -12.30pm. You may need to leave a message with your name and contact details and you will receive a call back the same day. They’re giving our weekly grocery vouchers and will start doing food parcels and pre-made meals soon.
Otherwise, the following local agencies can also provide support:
Reservoir Neighbourhood House: 9462 4611 or admin@reservoirnh.org.au
Salvation Army Preston: 9478 0694 or corpsofficer.preston@salvationarmy.org.au
Emergency Relief in Wyndham
Wyndham City Youth Services food bank service is available for people of all ages who are struggling and need assistance. Call 8734 1355 between 9am–5pm Monday to Friday to arrange a pick up. Alternatively, if you can get to the Youth Resource Centre 86 Derrimut Rd, Hoppers Crossing during 9am-5pm, there are limited staff who will be able to assist with some supplies.
Free childcare to families working in health or other essential services. Wyndham City is offering free childcare to families working in health or other essential services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The service will be offered at Hoppers Crossing. Up to 40 places available from Monday to Friday between 9am and 2pm. Children aged between six weeks and 5-years-old. Proof of employment (i.e. health workers card) must be shown. Call 24 hours in advance on 9749 3951 to make bookings.
Victoria Government emergency relief packages
If you are self-isolating, you may be eligible for an emergency relief package. Each eligible household will receive a two-week supply of essential goods. The packages will be delivered door-to-door, with other distribution points to be established as required. Call: 1800 675 398