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Bridge Housing - Linking people to a better future
Bridge Business
December 2018
Contents
CEO message

Advocating for our residents and others who cannot afford to live in the private rental market is a vital part of what we do.


So it was great to hear from one of Sydney’s leading property journalists Domain.com.au's Kate Burke, that we have an important role to play in keeping government, business and the public informed about the need for more affordable housing. Read what she had to say at our 2018 Annual General Meeting.


We also acknowledge two tenants who have advocated for others or themselves to deliver great outcomes. As Kate said, tenant stories bring to life the challenges and opportunities Bridge Housing has to help to transform lives.


We wish you a safe and happy festive season and look forward to seeing you at our new offices in 2019.​

 

John Nicolades

CEO

John Nicolades
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Put affordable housing on public agenda says property journalist

Kate Burke, the Editorial Producer of leading real estate website Domain.com.au, was guest speaker at Bridge Housing’s 2018 Annual General Meeting on 22 November.

 

Speaking on Reporting Affordable Housing: A Journalist's Perspective, Kate said people don’t understand what affordable housing is or its importance in creating secure, sustainable housing for people on moderate to low incomes in Sydney.

 

“You (Bridge Housing) obviously have a big role to play in keeping this on the agenda. Keep the research, statistics, surveys and reports coming, but make sure that they’re accessible to people outside of the sector. Know which residents are up for doing media coverage and talking about their experiences in affordable housing and how it’s helped,” she said.

 

CEO John Nicolades gave an overview of Bridge Housing’s achievements during 2018 including: completion and tenanting of 158 seniors’ units in Elger St Glebe, the launch of our not-for-profit real estate agency HomeGround Real Estate Sydney, and winning the Northern beaches portfolio of 1,200 homes under the Social Housing Management Transfer Program.

 

Some 110 residents, staff and guests attended the AGM, which was held at the Redfern Community Centre with lunch afterwards.

 

Read our 2018 Annual Report.

 

Photos (L to R): Kate Burke, Domain; resident Love Tru; resident Alan Weinstein
 

End of era in Redfern heralds new era in Haymarket
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After 10 years in Lawson Place Redfern, Bridge Housing has moved offices to Haymarket in the city. The new offices at Level 9, 59 Goulburn St are modern, bright, spacious and more welcoming to our residents and other visitors. Learn how to visit.
 

“While we were sorry to leave Redfern after 13 years in the area, the old office block is being completely redeveloped, so we took the opportunity to find new premises that would better suit us as the organisations grows,” said CEO John Nicolades.

 

The move occurred seamlessly at the end of November thanks to a dedicated staff team led by Sinead Duffy. We did the sustainable thing and auctioned off to staff the furniture and equipment that was surplus to needs in the new office. Staff also donated home-cooked gourmet food and services, such as Development Director Chris Dib’s furniture removals in his big truck!

 

The $1,580 raised was donated to White Ribbon Australia for White Ribbon Day, which advocates for an end to violence against women. Bridge Housing is an accredited White Ribbon workplace with zero tolerance for violence against women in our workplace and community.
 

We look forward to welcoming you at the new office soon!

 

Photo: Staff in the new Bridge Housing Reception

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A tireless voice for tenants

Pam Pryor was the face of Bridge Housing’s Tenant Advisory Group for 10 years. She was already an active tenant voice when she came across to us in the merger with the Eastern Suburbs Housing Rental Association (ESHRA) in 2008-09.

In 2009, Pam was nominated as the tenant representative for Bridge Housing, and a year later, she was elected as Chair of the first Bridge Housing TAG.

 

In a tribute to Pam at the tenant end-of-year celebration last month, CEO John Nicolades said: “Pam has worked tirelessly over many years to help other tenants have their voices heard in the way Bridge Housing is run and engages with our residents. Thank you Pam.”

 

Pam was presented with an award and small gift as a token of our appreciation.

 

Photo: Pam Pryor and John Nicolades

Adele finds a Bridge to Work

Resident Adele Irlam was working two jobs and caring for her three young children when she joined Bridge Housing's A Bridge to Work employment program in September. She wanted to return to working in pathology, where she began her career, but didn't know how to make the transition.

 

With the support of A Bridge to Work coordinator Gavin Marks, Adele updated her online profile and identified prospective employers. The job she landed at Australian Clinical Labs pays better, is closer to home and gives her more time with her family.

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Northern beaches news

Bridge Housing and the Women’s Housing Company have begun the second phase of our tenant consultation on the Northern beaches with the start of Neighbourhood Q&A sessions this month.

This means we have hit the road in our new mobile office visiting tenants and providing the information they need to make a successful tenancy transition in August next year.

 

We have now recruited six people to the SHMT Transition Team and five FACS staff to the Northern Beaches Housing Team. Further recruitment will resume in January.

 

Bridge and Women’s will manage some 1,200 public housing tenancies under the Social Housing Management Transfer program.

 

Photo: Bridge Housing staff with Seaforth residents

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Natasa the troubleshooter

Natasa Tosic's long job title barely hints at the diverse and multi-tasking nature of her  role.

 

The Executive Assistant to the CEO and Office Manager manages the CEO's diary, prepares Board papers, organises events such as the AGM, and supports the Reception Team in ensuring visitors' first customer experience is a positive one.

 

The former reality TV audience coordinator, who joined Bridge Housing in July 2017, says: "Until you've worked on a live TV show, you don't know what managing people in a high pressure workplace is!"

 

"What I most like about Bridge Housing is that the people who work here really care about housing our tenants and connecting them to their communities."

Bridge Housing Limited

Level 9, 59 Goulburn St Sydney NSW, 2000

PO Box 20217 World Square NSW 2002 

T 02 8324 0800 F 02 9699 7055 E reception@bridgehousing.org.au
www.bridgehousing.org.au
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