CEO MESSAGE

As the chill of winter sets in and news stories focus on how to keep warm and reduce heating costs, the cost of living is disproportionately impacting lower-income households. Australia has some of the coldest houses in the world, according to Professor Emma Baker, director of the Australian Centre for Housing Research at the University of Adelaide. For those struggling to find or keep a roof over their heads, this just compounds the problem.

SGCH continues to highlight the lack of sustainable and affordable housing, sharing statistics and personal stories to ensure housing remains a priority.  

Addressing the AXA Investment Managers Global Investment Seminar, I used an analogy to explain the undersupply of affordable housing in Australia. 

Imagine 15 Sydney Cricket Grounds filled with households waiting for affordable housing. That represents Australia today. Now, picture two jumbo jets full of people arriving daily, joining those crowds in the stadiums—this is the daily migration into Australia. Meanwhile, eight coaches of people leave the stadium each day to new housing.

• 48,000 x 15 = 720,000 households waiting   
• 524 x 2 = 1048 people arriving daily  
• 45 x 8 = 360 new houses built 

This calls for urgent action through partnerships that can bring capital and capability together to create more safe, sustainable and affordable homes.

In light of this, we applaud the NSW Government’s June 2024 budget announcement of a $6.6 billion investment in social and affordable housing and homelessness—a record commitment that invests in people and communities. SGCH and the community housing industry stand ready to partner with the NSW government to combine capital and capability to deliver homes and outcomes.  

Cath Bowtell, Chair, IFM; Scott Langford, CEO, SGCH;
Gemma Pinnell, Principal, Right Lane; Wendy Hayhurst, CEO, CHIA

We are pleased and proud to be a foundational supporter of the 2024 Housing Matters Report by Right Lane Consulting, which highlights how capital and capability are coming together to increase the supply of affordable and sustainable housing through regulated not-for-profit housing. We are also proud to partner on projects with contributors like AXA Investment Managers and Lighthouse Infrastructure, especially with the growing focus on the Build-to-Rent (BTR) model. Recently, we were delighted to show Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, and Minister for Housing Julie Collins MP our innovative affordable housing development in Westmead (see more in Partnerships, below). Together with AXA Investment Managers Alts, Housing Australia, and Deicorp, we showcased the innovative Build-to-Rent project, set to provide 397 dwellings, including a mix of market and affordable housing for essential workers. 

Together, we can realise our vision of great places, thriving people, connected communities. 

Scott Langford 
Group Chief Executive Officer, SGCH 

ACHIEVEMENTS

Darug language teaching resource

SGCH is proud to have supported Bonnyrigg Public School who have spent the past year illustrating and producing 6 beautiful books that form the first-ever student-created Darug language teaching resource.  

‘Bayala, Ngarala, Tiatila - Let’s Talk, Let’s Listen, Let’s Learn’ will support teachers in delivering the new K-10 Aboriginal Language syllabus to more than 12,000 students across NSW.  

Led by the school’s Aboriginal Education Officers with guidance from local Aboriginal Elders, the resource showcases key Darug language words. It is an important step towards embedding Aboriginal culture into everyday learning and ensuring the language is shared beyond the Aboriginal community. 

Northern Sydney Homelessness Forum

SGCH, in partnership with Vinnies and North Sydney Council, recently hosted the Northern Sydney Homelessness Forum at the Crows Nest Centre. The forum brought together a diverse group of professionals from sectors including aged care, mental health, youth services, disability, housing, and local council representatives to address homelessness in Northern Sydney. 

Dom Rowe, CEO of Homelessness NSW, delivered a compelling keynote on the state of homelessness in New South Wales, urging continued collaboration between agencies. The forum featured interactive activities promoting collaboration and problem-solving, culminating in the "Pitch It to the PM" session, where participants presented solutions to a mock Prime Minister. 

Catering was provided by the Darcy St Project, a social enterprise dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness, unemployment, and social exclusion through education, coffee, and food culture. 

Participants committed to concrete actions to address homelessness and agreed to collaborate on creating a comprehensive resource outlining available services for agencies and those in need. 

Plans are underway for another forum in 2024, with invitations extended to other agencies to sponsor and host the event. 

Federal Housing Minister visits Riverwood

Minister Collins emphasised the importance of collaboration across government tiers, the community housing sector and the building and construction industry to create more homes like these across Australia.

We would like to thank our partners, Housing Australia and the NSW Department of Communities and Justice for initiatives that build great communities.

OUR IMPACT

Samphaos's story

SGCH's Communities, Place and Partnerships team at Bonnyrigg presented flowers and balloons to a family who have achieved something remarkable – they have purchased their own home after renting with SGCH since 2015. 

“We’ve just moved to our own three-bedroom house about half an hour from Bonnyrigg – in Western Sydney,” says Samphaos. “It’s very exciting for us because it’s something we always hoped we could do – and we did it.” 

Samphaos and her family

Living with SGCH enabled the family to save diligently, and they feel very proud of their move. Samphaos was a member of our Bonnyrigg Khmer language group for many years, and she will be missed by everyone who attends those sessions. 

The family relocated during the last school holidays, so children Phekthra, 10, Dominic, 13, and William, 15, have all started at new schools. 

“It’s great to have our own place, but we are all going to miss Bonnyrigg,” Samphaos says. “The community here is very good and very caring. We’re not too far away though – we can still visit.” 

Introducing Aisea and Veronica

Meet Aisea and Veronica, two of our customers who call Riverwood home. They understand the important role their community plays in their wellbeing, so they are actively involved in the local residents' organisation and are part of the local choir. Aisea was also featured in Chris Hemsworth's recent Limitless series, discussing the keys to longevity.

Check out the video below.

DIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY

Yellamundy Memorial Garden opens in Bonnyrigg

A traditional performance by Buuja Buuja dance group

Members of the local Aboriginal community gathered outside SGCH’s Bonnyrigg office on 23 May for the opening of the Yellamundy Memorial Garden.  

Unveiled to coincide with National Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week, the garden proudly showcases the names of the Aboriginal families who made Bonnyrigg the thriving community it is today.  The project was instigated and led by SGCH customer Maureen Clayton. “The garden is very special to me. It’s fantastic to have a place where we can recognise and celebrate all the Aboriginal families who have had a lasting connection to Bonnyrigg.” 

Sorry Day acknowledged by SGCH in Redfern

SGCH enhances inclusivity with LGBTIQA+ training for staff 

 At SGCH, we are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all our customers. To further this commitment, we have introduced LGBTIQA+ Inclusivity Training for all our staff. 

This training, provided by Twenty10, a specialist organisation supporting LGBTIQA+ individuals and diverse communities, focuses on creating safe and respectful spaces. Twenty10 offers a range of services for people experiencing homelessness and those from diverse backgrounds, families, and communities. 

Aligning with SGCH’s values of Inclusion and Trust, the training encourages staff to think about how we can make everyone feel they truly belong. It emphasises understanding the lived experiences of LGBTIQA+ people and how to better support them. 

We believe this training is a vital step in ensuring our staff can provide the best possible support and create an environment where all customers feel safe, respected, and included. 

PARTNERSHIPS

Prime Minister visits Westmead site

Pictured above are SGCH Group Executive More Homes Andrew Brooks, SGCH Chair Karen Orvad, AXA IM Alts Head of Australia Antoine Mesnage, Member for Reid Sally Sitou, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, MP for Parramatta Andrew Charlton, Housing Minister Julie Collins, Chair Deicorp Fouad Deiri OAM, AXA Head of Alternatives Client Group, Aus and NZ Toby Coleman and Housing Australia Chair Carol Austin.

We were delighted to show Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Minister for Housing Julie Collins MP our innovative affordable housing development in Westmead on 22 May 2024.  

SGCH partners with Vinnies to support our Northern Sydney customers 

SGCH is proud to collaborate with Vinnies on an outreach program that supports our customers in Northern Sydney. Every Wednesday night, Vinnies provides meals, tea, and essential assistance at three of our residential blocks. This partnership ensures our customers have access to: 

• Brokerage for power bills 

• Vouchers for food, Kmart and other essentials 

• Small appliances 

• Furniture (including removal and disposal of old furniture) 

SGCH is actively assisting Vinnies in promoting these valuable services to increase engagement among our customers. Due to the program's success, Vinnies is considering expanding their outreach to additional SGCH blocks. 

This partnership highlights our commitment to working with community organisations to provide comprehensive support and improve the quality of life for our customers. 

OUR PEOPLE

Paul Cox

SGCH’s Bonnyrigg‑based Groundskeeper, Paul, sees the work he does daily as part of a larger mission. “I believe that everyone should have a roof over their head,” he says. “It’s great to be part of a team helping people to achieve and afford this basic right.” 

Paul is a member of the SGCH Handyperson team and believes that a community, at its core, is a physical area full of thriving people. He takes great pride in maintaining and improving this physical space: “For my part, it's the satisfaction of cleaning, tidying and making the Bonnyrigg area visually more appealing and safer for the community to be proud of and enjoy.”  

Feedback from our customers and
stakeholders

Rodney, Income Recovery Officer : “I just want to give some very positive feedback on my dealings with Rodney today. I haven't spoken to him before, but I was put onto him by Head Office to help me with a rent issue for my neighbour, who had just come home from two weeks of cancer treatment and asked if I could assist. I thought you would like to know that he is one of the nicest people I have had to deal with since you guys took over. ”

Shyamala and Miyuri, Business Support Officers : “I turned up at the St Leonards office today to talk about a bunch of problems I've been facing lately. The two receptionists were the best! They're always super friendly and very patient with me and I'm very grateful for their help. I have really bad social anxiety, so dealing with certain problems myself has always been really intense. Their support really made my life a lot easier. They really care! I was very overwhelmed about things lately, but right now I'm not as stressed out. Thanks for being the most amazing and helpful team. People at the St Leonards office are my favourites.” 

Amanda, Tenancy Manager: "Amanda has such a positive, friendly presence and being available to tenants so regularly has built a happy little neighbourhood, where people have more pride and personal responsibility for their homes."

Jason, Tenancy Manager: “I had a good experience living in there with St George. My agent Jason he is amazing to talk to. He has great knowledge on his profession. He is also very helpful and responsive. Really appreciate!”

Maria, Support Coordinator: "Thank you for the personal work you put into SGCH management for a current OT report and subsequent trades work completed at the unit...the new railings, gate lock changes and the new hospital shower screen now completed will make a big difference to my safety after a series of falls."

Larissa, Senior Tenancy Manager: "I just wanted to say thank you so much for everything you’ve done for us and for all your support. My family and I really appreciate it all and I do apologize for putting you in this situation to deal with, but I just wanted to say thank you. It means the world to us and hopefully we get some good news and we are able to move forward in peace."