An Introduction to Yarra Community Housing
Yarra Community Housing (YCH) was established in 1996 by a number of leading Victorian welfare organisations including the Brotherhood of St. Lawrence and Melbourne Citymission. These two organisations continue to have representation on the YCH Board of Directors. YCH is a non-profit public company limited by guarantee and is a registered charity. YCH is governed by a Board of ten Directors, including two tenant representatives, elected by company members. Members include a range of health and welfare service providers as well as YCH tenants.
YCH is one of the larger non-profit community housing organisations in Victoria and is one of eight organisations that have achieved registration with the Victorian State Government as an ‘Affordable Housing Association’. Registration means that YCH now operates within a highly regulated environment and its operations are closely monitored by the State Government through the Office of the Registrar of Housing Agencies.
As of July 2008, YCH manages approximately 600 tenancies. These include various models of housing including rooming houses, studio apartments and 1 & 2 bedroom units. These properties are located across the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne and YCH has recently extended its focus to include projects in regional Victoria. YCH employs approximately 30 staff and has offices in Fitzroy and Footscray. In 2007/2008 YCH had a total equity of $91 million, which is predominantly made up of property assets.
Who do we house?
YCH has a long history of housing many of the most marginalised people in our community. During earlier years, our focus was on accommodating predominantly single persons on statutory or very low incomes. More recently, our tenant group has extended to include couples and families with children.
What is our approach to providing Affordable Housing?
As of October 2008, YCH has approximately 480 new units under development. YCH is committed to developing and managing housing that is well designed, affordable, accessible and secure. By “well designed” we mean that the housing not only meets a high standard of physical design but that it meets the specific physical and social needs of the people who live there. By “affordable” we mean that people have enough income after paying rent to live a dignified life and participate in their community. By “accessible” we mean that those people with the highest level of housing needs are not excluded. By “secure” we mean that people are able to live safely in our housing for as long as they want - rather than for a limited period of time.
Of equal importance is our commitment to achieving positive outcomes for our tenants - assisting them to sustain their housing and providing opportunities for them to build a sense of home and community. YCH recognises that these positive outcomes are closely linked to issues of support, access to services and opportunities for community participation - including training and employment.
Finally, YCH plays a role in advocacy for social justice and housing related issues such as income support, tenancy rights, housing standards and the supply of affordable housing. We also see our role as empowering low income people to develop their own effective voice. We do not have the resources to do this work alone and are committed to working in partnership with other organisations.
YCH is one of the larger non-profit community housing organisations in Victoria and is one of eight organisations that have achieved registration with the Victorian State Government as an ‘Affordable Housing Association’. Registration means that YCH now operates within a highly regulated environment and its operations are closely monitored by the State Government through the Office of the Registrar of Housing Agencies.
As of July 2008, YCH manages approximately 600 tenancies. These include various models of housing including rooming houses, studio apartments and 1 & 2 bedroom units. These properties are located across the northern and western suburbs of Melbourne and YCH has recently extended its focus to include projects in regional Victoria. YCH employs approximately 30 staff and has offices in Fitzroy and Footscray. In 2007/2008 YCH had a total equity of $91 million, which is predominantly made up of property assets.
Who do we house?
YCH has a long history of housing many of the most marginalised people in our community. During earlier years, our focus was on accommodating predominantly single persons on statutory or very low incomes. More recently, our tenant group has extended to include couples and families with children.
What is our approach to providing Affordable Housing?
As of October 2008, YCH has approximately 480 new units under development. YCH is committed to developing and managing housing that is well designed, affordable, accessible and secure. By “well designed” we mean that the housing not only meets a high standard of physical design but that it meets the specific physical and social needs of the people who live there. By “affordable” we mean that people have enough income after paying rent to live a dignified life and participate in their community. By “accessible” we mean that those people with the highest level of housing needs are not excluded. By “secure” we mean that people are able to live safely in our housing for as long as they want - rather than for a limited period of time.
Of equal importance is our commitment to achieving positive outcomes for our tenants - assisting them to sustain their housing and providing opportunities for them to build a sense of home and community. YCH recognises that these positive outcomes are closely linked to issues of support, access to services and opportunities for community participation - including training and employment.
Finally, YCH plays a role in advocacy for social justice and housing related issues such as income support, tenancy rights, housing standards and the supply of affordable housing. We also see our role as empowering low income people to develop their own effective voice. We do not have the resources to do this work alone and are committed to working in partnership with other organisations.
Our Purpose ...
Our purpose is to…
• To develop and manage an increasing supply of well designed, affordable, accessible and secure housing options for people on low incomes – particularly single persons.
• To ensure the people we house gain access to the resources, services and opportunities they need to sustain their housing and participate in the wider community.
• To work with others to ensure that access to housing is upheld as a basic human right.
The core business of Yarra Community Housing is to develop and manage housing for members of our community on low incomes. We are both a developer of new housing projects as well as a housing manager. By “well designed” we mean that the housing not only meets a high standard of physical design but that it meets the specific physical and social needs of the people who live there. By “affordable” we mean that people have enough income after paying rent to live a dignified life and participate in their community. By “accessible” we mean that those people with the highest level of housing needs are not excluded. By “secure” we mean that people are able to live safely in our housing for as long as they want - rather than for a limited period of time. While we provide housing to all household types, including families, the statement confirms our primary focus in developing and managing a range of innovative housing options for single person households.
The second element confirms our commitment to achieving positive outcomes for tenants - both assisting them to sustain their housing and providing opportunities for them to build a sense of home and community. The statement recognises that these positive outcomes are closely linked to issues of support, access to services and opportunities for community participation - including training and employment. The statement confirms our vital role in linking tenants with resources and opportunities.
The third element confirms our commitment to advocacy for social justice and, in particular housing justice. We see our role as being an advocate for low income single people across a range of housing related issues such as income support, tenancy rights, housing standards and the supply of affordable housing. We also see our role as empowering low income single people to develop their own effective voice. We do not have the resources to do this work alone and are committed to working in partnership.
• To develop and manage an increasing supply of well designed, affordable, accessible and secure housing options for people on low incomes – particularly single persons.
• To ensure the people we house gain access to the resources, services and opportunities they need to sustain their housing and participate in the wider community.
• To work with others to ensure that access to housing is upheld as a basic human right.
The core business of Yarra Community Housing is to develop and manage housing for members of our community on low incomes. We are both a developer of new housing projects as well as a housing manager. By “well designed” we mean that the housing not only meets a high standard of physical design but that it meets the specific physical and social needs of the people who live there. By “affordable” we mean that people have enough income after paying rent to live a dignified life and participate in their community. By “accessible” we mean that those people with the highest level of housing needs are not excluded. By “secure” we mean that people are able to live safely in our housing for as long as they want - rather than for a limited period of time. While we provide housing to all household types, including families, the statement confirms our primary focus in developing and managing a range of innovative housing options for single person households.
The second element confirms our commitment to achieving positive outcomes for tenants - both assisting them to sustain their housing and providing opportunities for them to build a sense of home and community. The statement recognises that these positive outcomes are closely linked to issues of support, access to services and opportunities for community participation - including training and employment. The statement confirms our vital role in linking tenants with resources and opportunities.
The third element confirms our commitment to advocacy for social justice and, in particular housing justice. We see our role as being an advocate for low income single people across a range of housing related issues such as income support, tenancy rights, housing standards and the supply of affordable housing. We also see our role as empowering low income single people to develop their own effective voice. We do not have the resources to do this work alone and are committed to working in partnership.
The values that will guide the way we think and act …
- Respect
Every person is unique and of equal value – and has the right to be treated with understanding and respect.
Every person in our community should have access to a fair share of opportunities and resources – this includes, as a starting point, access to good quality, secure and affordable housing. People should be treated fairly and equally despite their age, sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, status or income level.
People and organisations should take responsibility for their actions and for the consequences of these actions for other people.
People have a responsibility to care for others and to do what they can to ensure others are kept safe from harm.
People and organisations should tell the truth, admit mistakes and provide information openly.
Every person has the right to participate in decisions that affect them and to have power in shaping their lives. When people have a sense of personal power they are more motivated to act responsibly and to contribute to creative problem solving within organisations and communities.
People benefit from having a sense of identity and belonging – this sense of belonging is closely linked with the development of a network of friendships and supportive relationships. Everyone should have the opportunity to be part of a community.
People and organisations benefit from working in co-operation with others. By working together in partnership people and organisations can achieve much more than by working alone or in competition.
People and organisations benefit from an ongoing commitment to learning new things – through thinking about what they do, finding answers to questions (research), listening to the ideas and experience of others and putting new ideas into action.
The rapidly changing world requires people and organisations to regularly evaluate current ways of doing things and to develop creative, new solutions. These new solutions need to build on past experience.
People and organisations have a responsibility to use resources in a way that is healthy for our planet and for future generations. This includes resources such as land, water, energy, and buildings and money.
People and organisations working in the non-profit sector should strive for excellence in all aspects of their work.
Our vision for the world …
Our vision is for a world where everyone has access to affordable housing regardless of their income level or disability; a world where there is no such thing as homelessness and where affordable housing is visibly and firmly on the government agenda; a world where low-income tenants are empowered, have a voice, participate in their communities and make a difference. In this world access to affordable good quality housing is upheld as a basic human right.
Our vision for Yarra Community Housing…
Our vision is for an organisation where all those involved ( Directors, staff and tenants ) work together in partnership; with energy, passion and determination; to achieve our vision for the world.
Our vision is for an organisation that demonstrates in practice its commitment to;
• increasing the supply of affordable housing through development projects that set new standards of excellence in physical and social design
• providing the highest quality housing services
• ensuring tenants have effective access to community support services
• pioneering creative models of tenant participation
• participating in innovative community development initiatives
• achieving exceptional quality in organisational management, and
• advocating for housing rights, social justice and social inclusion.
Our vision is for an organisation that demonstrates in practice its commitment to;
• increasing the supply of affordable housing through development projects that set new standards of excellence in physical and social design
• providing the highest quality housing services
• ensuring tenants have effective access to community support services
• pioneering creative models of tenant participation
• participating in innovative community development initiatives
• achieving exceptional quality in organisational management, and
• advocating for housing rights, social justice and social inclusion.
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Copyright © Yarra Community Housing 2007
Copyright © Yarra Community Housing 2007
