CEO MESSAGE

Amongst the darkening clouds of the housing crisis, the last few months have shone a ray of light that illuminates the power of leadership to catalyse partnerships that can create more homes and lasting change.

We commend the Federal Labor Government for providing leadership on social and affordable housing with the National Housing Accord and Housing Australia Future Fund rolling out. This was made possible by the extraordinary efforts of the Housing Australia team to stand up and open Round 1 procurement on 10 January 2024 – just 34 days from the date the mandate was issued on 7 December 2023. The strong response from the market where developers, builders, investors, community housing providers, state and local governments have developed proposals is responding to this leadership.

With some reports indicating tens of thousands of units have been proposed, there is an opportunity for the Federal Government to continue its leadership and approve larger numbers of homes sooner to enable more people to unlock the opportunities a safe, sustainable and affordable home provides. We are optimistic about the range of partnerships that are mobilising government, community, institutional investment and development industry support to deliver more homes.

Joshua Munro, SGCH customer at Highline Westmead

We also welcome the NSW Government announcement of major planning changes for Transport Oriented Development that will enable the delivery of more homes within 400m of train stations across Sydney. It's a significant step that includes mandating a minimum 2% affordable housing on all new developments in these locations. This percentage is not enough in our view, but it is a start. Together with the government commitment that this will increase over time and more direct government funding, we can deliver urgently needed affordable housing.

Thanks for being part of this journey with us. Together we can make a bigger impact to create great places for everyone.

Scott Langford
Group Chief Executive Officer, SGCH

ACHIEVEMENTS

Greenway 70th celebration

Excerpt from the Sydney Morning Herald

Zoe Baker, Lord Mayor of North Sydney

Greenway in Milsons Point celebrated its 70^th anniversary on Thursday 28 March. Around 400 residents and dignitaries gathered in the gardens to mark the milestone for the historic building in an event organised by the Greenway Tenants Group. Since opening in 1954 as Australia's first state-owned high-rise social housing and the largest apartment building in the Southern Hemisphere, Greenway has been home to a vibrant community.

The Greenway, which is managed by SGCH for Homes NSW, accommodates 350 residents, including 19 over the age of 90, with the eldest, Shirley Briggs, at 99. The celebratory event, featuring performances and heartfelt speeches, emphasised Greenway's significance beyond its architecture, celebrating the community it nurtures and its heritage with NSW Housing Minister The Hon. Rose Jackson MLC saying she wanted to see 70 more Greenways throughout Sydney.

Strive Scholarship ceremony

Strive Scholarship recipient

This year 278 primary and high school students living in SGCH properties were awarded a Strive Scholarship, with more than $229,000 going to help them achieve their educational goals.

Thank you to our sponsors and donors including Deicorp, Assett Group Services Pty Ltd, Phoenix Fire Protection and SR Construction, and to everyone who attended to celebrate our 2024 scholarship recipients.

More information on our partnership with Deicorp and their generosity in supporting careers in construction can be found below.

Modern Slavery Statement

We are proud to have published our third Modern Slavery Statement, which outlines the steps we have taken over the past financial year to develop our approach.

We are committed to the principles of the Modern Slavery Act 2018 (cth) and recognise our organisational responsibility and ongoing role in educating our staff and working with our suppliers and partners to address modern slavery.

We acknowledge that there is always opportunity to further our direction and we welcome any feedback on this statement. You can read our Modern Slavery Statement on our website.

Read the statement

OUR IMPACT

Inspiring women within our SGCH community

Introducing Maureen

Maureen is a proud Wiradjuri woman and a valued SGCH customer. Her story is marked with resilience and hope, and she has made a significant impact within one of our communities. Her dedication to helping others is highlighted by her art classes, which foster a space of creativity and support for women.

Introducing Galina

Russia-born Galina Doroshina, 94, moved into Greenway in 2005. "When I first saw it, I didn't like the building. When we approached it, I said, 'is it a prison?'” Now she likes everything about it and describes where she lives as 'a paradise'.

DIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY

Celebrating Harmony Day and Neighbourhood Day

Members of SGCH's Arabic and Assyrian language groups at the Bonnyrigg Neighbour Day and Harmony Day event

About 100 people attended an SGCH morning tea in Bonnyrigg to mark both Harmony Day and Neighbour Day - a chance to get together and celebrate our diverse community, Bonnyrigg Public School’s Marrabang Wagagee dance troupe performed two traditional dances and sang in the Dharug language. The local Lao, Khmer, Arabic and Assyrian community members were among those who attended.

One of our customers said: “I have lived in Bonnyrigg for 32 years now and I have seen a huge improvement since SGCH took over. I am a member of the Arabic language group. Being able to speak to people in my first language is absolutely wonderful. To be able to speak to others in a language where I can really express myself … I feel like I am flying!”

One of our language support workers, Joumana, who has been with SGCH since 2012, said that she could sense how much people needed her.

SGCH and inclusivity

SGCH team members celebrating Mardi Gras

In March, every SGCH team member was invited to a get-together acknowledging and supporting Mardi Gras. The event was SGCH's first ever celebration like this, showing our commitment to creating an inclusive environment for our staff. We shared a highlights reel from the day on our Facebook channel.

SGCH team members are also receiving training aimed at creating positive environments for our LGBTIQA+ community. With a strong focus on understanding the lived experiences that LGBTIQA+ people face and how to better support them, the training covers topics like terminology, inclusive language, social and health impacts of discrimination, and practical ways to support our communities, individually and organisationally.

PARTNERSHIPS

Fouad Deiri OAM Strive Scholarships

Fouad Deiri OAM Strive Scholarship recipients

In January 2024, as part of the Strive Scholarship ceremony mentioned earlier in this newsletter, two students received the special Fouad Deiri OAM Strive Scholarship for the pursuit of a career in construction. Esa and Caitlyn have ambitions to build a career in the construction industry, and received this special award named after Deicorp’s founder and chairman, CEO Fouad Deiri OAM. These scholarships, generously sponsored by Deicorp, underscore a dedication to not just housing but also the professional growth of SGCH customers. Beyond financial assistance, the scholarship winners also gain mentoring opportunities, ensuring they're well-equipped for their future careers. This initiative is a testament to Deicorp's investment in training and career development, and to SGCH's role as more than a community housing provider. It highlights SGCH’s commitment to nurturing the full potential of our customers and the power of strategic partnerships to positively impact lives.

SGCH NEC Software Solutions partnership

SGCH and NEC Software Solutions (NEC) have partnered to deliver and implement a new housing management software solution that enhances current services and prepares for future growth. Bringing together global expertise and local experience, NEC plans to develop a customised product to improve customer experience and optimise our ability to deliver on our mission of more homes and great services for customers. SGCH expects the go-live of the new system in mid-2025.

OUR PEOPLE

Introducing Stephanie

Stephanie is a Senior Tenancy Manager at SGCH. Every day, she goes above and beyond providing a helping hand to our customers and connecting them with the services they need.

Feedback from our customers and stakeholders

Marlee Tenancy Manager: “We appreciate your exceptional services yesterday during the lease signing. Witnessing this homeless client in tears with happiness and joy is worth all our effort.”

Annie Tenancy Manager: “She is amazing” from a new tenant with a 9-week-old baby was very grateful for the help she has received.

Ophelie Tenancy Manager: multiple customers praised her willingness to make a difference and being very contactable.

Taylor Community Engagement Coordinator: “Thank you so much for all that you do for our community, we appreciate you all.”

Larissa, Senior Tenancy Manager, and Taylor, Community Engagement Coordinator: “You sure do care for your friends. It is my prayer that our friendship will remain intact come what may.”

Silvio Handyperson: “He is one of the nicest tradies I have ever dealt with and is a great pleasure to deal with. He was amazing.”

Junio Property Assessment Officer: “He was extremely nice and made the inspection process less stressful, giving detailed explanation of how to maintain critical areas of the apartment.”

Grant Assistant Asset Officer: Grant’s assistance led a customer’s mother to say: “She was so happy and will be able to cook and arrange her kitchen items in the additional cupboards installed.”