1. Maintain a strong and fair public housing system for people most in need.
- Implemented reforms to the public housing sector as announced in the Reshaping Public Housing plan
- Fitted water-saving devices to a total of 30,000 properties under the WaterFix program
- Introduced New Directions in Social Housing for Older People, heralding investment of $495 million for additional homes and modification works
- Invested $95.77 million in new public housing supply, completing 437 public housing dwellings and commencing 336
- Modified 1,613 dwellings for people with mobility related disabilities at a cost of $7.26 million
- Placed 8,988 new households in public housing (2,689 of whom had complex priority needs)
- Provided 854 Special Assistance Subsidies at a cost of $4.94 million to help clients with a physical disability to rent in the private market
- Created the NSW Housing Youth Scholarships of $2,000 each to assist the education and school retention of 50 students living in social housing
- Announced the NSW Housing Youth Achievement Awards to acknowledge young people living in social housing who are making a significant contribution to their community
- Commenced transformation of the Gordon Estate at West Dubbo
- Further refined and rolled-out the Department’s asset planning framework, designed to assist with realignment of social housing stock
2. Support a robust and diverse community housing system.
- Invested in new supply totalling $80.37 million, to complete 342 dwellings and commence another 268 dwellings for community housing
- Assisted an estimated 40,000 people through the Crisis Accommodation Program
- Established tenancy management arrangements with St. George Community Housing for the Port Jackson Supported Housing program
- Managed the bulk transfer of property management from public housing to community housing
- Progressed the recommendations of the Legislative Council Inquiry Report 2003
- Evaluated seven community housing organisations seeking accreditation
- Assessed 49 community housing providers under the performance-based registration system
- Improved the management and operation of the community housing sector by providing $2.188 million in Community Housing Resourcing Grants
3. Drive innovative solutions to meet a range of housing needs.
- Assisted over 34,000 households into the private rental market through
Rentstart
- Assisted nearly 2,800 people into temporary accommodation via the After-hours Temporary Accommodation Service
- Provided 1,299 ‘assistances’ to people under the Special Assistance Subsidy
program at a cost of $8.75 million
- Handled over 637,000 telephone inquiries through its 24/7 Housing Contact Centre
- Received a Silver Award for its Tenancy Guarantee pilot in the Premier’s Public Sector Awards
- Received a Bronze Award for its Rentstart by Phone scheme in the Premier’s Public Sector Awards for Services to Rural and Regional NSW
- Continued to provide advice on potential models for new affordable housing projects
- Provided assistance to 145 new households under the Mortgage Assistance Scheme
4. Work in partnership to strengthen the capacity of individuals, families and communities.
- Supported and progressed the NSW Housing and Human Services Accord, as well as successful programs such as the Housing and Accommodation Support Initiative (HASI) and the Joint Guarantee of Service for People with Mental Health Problems and Disorders (JGOS)
- Led the network of Government agencies that form the Partnership Against Homelessness in improving and coordinating services for homeless men and women, including the provision of temporary or crisis accommodation
- Progressed tenancy reform initiatives such as the Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy
- Over 3,000 residents participated in the popular community greening program
- Recycled 477 personal computers, selling them to public housing residents under the WorkVentures Connect IT
- Provided access to information technology hardware and training for Airds residents through a partnership initiative with Airds Local Enterprise Centre
- Offered landscaping traineeships to social housing residents through a partnership with Spectrum Employment Services
- Supported 14 tenant councils and resource services that provide advisory services for clients across the state
5. Create a supportive work environment that encourages excellence.
- Provided the two-year Certificate IV in Social Housing traineeship to 40 staff
- Enhanced the capability of staff by rolling out the Learning and Development Strategy and Training Plan
- Successfully completed the first full year of the Department’s mentoring program that supports the career development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff
- Continued to implement occupational health and safety initiatives
- Introduced an anti-bullying campaign, promoting respect in the workplace
- Delivered corruption prevention training to an additional 450 staff
- The Department’s Legal Services Branch was internationally quality certified to ‘Law 9000’