Message from the CEO
Welcome to the Winter edition of the WPI Times. It is incredible that we are half way through the year. WPI is thrilled to have opened the doors to lots of new homes in the last six months and we welcome our newest renters.
The best part of our jobs is helping people find homes that provide a foundation for a better future. We are always looking for people to share their experience, so please reach out if you have a story to share.
It is a difficult time for many people as the cost of living continues to rise and winter sets in. We have outlined a few initiatives that can help you reduce some expenses. As always please reach out to your Tenancy and Property Manager to discuss your options if you are having difficulties.
Thanks again for the care you show your homes and please get in touch with any issues that we are able to help with. Stay warm!
Regards
Roberta
Know a Great Neighbour?
WPI is proud to recognise and celebrate the people who help make our communities welcoming, supportive and connected.
Do you have a neighbour who resides in a WPI home who checks in on their neighbours, lends a helping hand, or goes out of their way to make their community a better place to live? We'd love to hear about them.
Three outstanding neighbours will each receive a $200 prepaid Visa Gift Card in recognition of their contribution to their community.
Nominating someone is easy. Simply complete the nomination form and answer a few short questions about why they deserve to be recognised.
As a thank you, if your nominated neighbour is selected as a winner, you will also receive a $50 prepaid Visa Gift Card.
Submit your nomination today and help us celebrate the people who make a real difference in our communities. Nomination form: here
Food Banks
We wanted to help you find details for some Victorian Food Banks for people who are struggling with grocery expenses. Please utilise the following services if this applies to you.
Foodbank Victoria: https://www.foodbank.org.au/vic/
Ask Izzy: shows local places for food relief and emergency housing. Just enter your suburb or postcode to see what’s nearby.
It’s a good idea to call the specific service listed on Ask Izzy before you visit, as times can change. If you’re unsure, the Community Connector team can help you check the most up-to-date information. https://askizzy.org.au/
Pets At Our Place Calendar
This year, one of our renters, Zora, appears in the Pets in Our Place calendar, featuring social housing renters from around Melbourne and their very special pets.
Entries are open again for people to feature themselves and their pets in the calendar. The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing invites residents to share the stories of their beloved pets.
Pets At Our Place celebrates the bond between social housing renters and their much-loved pets.
Twelve residents of public and community housing and their pets from around Victoria will be featured in the next calendar.
Pets At Our Place celebrates the ways pets make our lives better. Pets help us feel happy, calm and loved. They also help bring people together and build strong communities.
We’re excited to showcase the variety of pets our renters have welcomed into their homes – whether they’re furry, fluffy, feathery or scaly!
Nominations close 5pm Friday 19 June 2026 so act quickly if you would like to enter. To find out more, visit the Pets At Our Place Calendar www.housing.vic.gov.au/pets-our-place-calendar
If you need help submitting an entry please email enquiries@wpi.org.au.
Have Your Say - Renter Survey Coming Soon
This week, we'll be inviting all renters to take part in our biennial Renter Survey, delivered in partnership with Community Housing Industry Association NSW.
The survey gives you an opportunity to tell us about your experience of living in your home and the services we provide. Your feedback helps us understand what's working well and where we can improve.
By partnering with CHIA NSW, we can compare our results with other community housing providers and better understand how we are performing across key areas such as communication, repairs and maintenance, safety, and overall renter satisfaction.
The survey is confidential, and the feedback we receive helps guide future improvements to our housing and services.
As a thank you for participating, all completed surveys will go into the draw to win one of five $100 gift cards.
As this survey is only conducted every two years, we encourage all renters to take a few minutes to have their say.
Keep an eye on your inbox next week for your survey invitation.
Thank you for sharing your feedback and helping us improve our services.
The Australian Government is launching AusAlert in October
It will send emergency messages to compatible mobile devices during disasters such as bushfires, severe weather and public health emergencies. AusAlert messages share important information. But they could make hidden safety devices easier to find. An AusAlert will cause your mobile device to vibrate and deliver a loud siren-like warning sound.
Some AusAlerts will sound even if you’ve set your device to ‘silent’ or ‘do not disturb’ mode. Before AusAlert is ready to use, it will be tested to make sure it works as intended. AusAlert will be tested in selected local communities across Australia in June 2026.
AusAlert will be tested nationally on Monday 27 July 2026, and all compatible mobile devices across Australia will receive a test alert on this day.
Get the Most from your Split System
Regular care of your split system air conditioner will keep it functioning efficiently and will help you save on bills while staying comfortable. As the cool weather sets in, it’s a great time to:
Clean your filters
- Turn the unit off
- Open the front cover and remove the filters
- Vacuum or gently brush off all dust
- If they are particularly dirty, filters can be gently washed with warm water and mild detergent – ensure they dry fully
- Put them back in place
- Repeat every few months
Clear space around the outdoor unit
- Make sure nothing is sitting on top of or directly next to the unit
- Clear 30cm of space around the unit to ensure good airflow and prevent overheating
Other tips for getting the most from your heater include:
- Set your thermostat between 18°C and 20°C. Every degree higher can increase your heating cost by around 15%.
- Turn your heater off while you’re out of the house or overnight. If your system has a timer, you can set it to turn off automatically.
- Only heat the rooms you’re using. Close doors to bedrooms while you are in the lounge.
- If you are experiencing dampness inside, most split systems have a dehumidifier setting that can help manage moisture.
Vehicle Registration
From Monday 1 June to Friday 31 July 2026 all Victorians can apply for a 20% rebate on their 2025–26 vehicle registration payments.
Individuals can apply for up to 2 vehicles per person including cars and motorbikes.
Apply via the Service Victoria app or website.
