Your community
I would like to become more involved in my community and meet my neighbours.
What support services are in my area?
Mission Australia has offices and support services in most of the areas that Mission Australia Housing operates in. The range of services available may differ in each area but include homeless prevention support, youth services, and financial counselling.
Mission Australia services directory: Services Directory
There are a range of services in your area that may provide you with support to help you manage your rental, including:
- Financial support – interest free loans, food vouchers and debt repayment
- Case management & counselling
- Goods – free or reduced cost household goods, food and clothing
- Training, education and employment
- Other – support with specific needs such as disability, aged care or drug and alcohol services
- Tenancy advocacy services- various tenancy advice and advocacy services exist in each state that can also help you.
- Local council services – many local councils offer a range of free services such as community buses and workshops on energy saving.
Although many of the services listed above are not directly related to your property with Mission Australia Housing, they can be important in helping you manage your bills, your home and your personal life, and provide information to help you make informed choices.
You can also speak to your Housing Manager or Community Development Managers who can give you more information and link you in to local services in your area. Contact us
What's on in my community?
Getting to know your neighbours is important to building happy, healthy and enjoyable communities to live in. Working with the Tenant Action Group and local tenant committees, Mission Australia Housing hosts a variety of community events throughout the year.
Attending a working bee, installing a community garden, school holiday fun days, Christmas parties, street parties and festivals, enjoying a chat over a cuppa or BBQ lunch, or taking off on the bus for a day trip are all fun ways to meet your neighbours and make friends.
Contact your Community Development Managers or Community Engagement Officer to find out what is happening in your area by calling 1800 269 672.
We understand during COVID-19 lockdowns and Stay-at-Home orders, staying in touch with others has been difficult. Mission Australia Housing have set up Facebook groups in order for us to stay in touch during these ever-evolving times. Please join the group for your local area.
How can I become more involved with what Mission Australia Housing does?
Mission Australia Housing’s Tenant Action Group is a forum for tenants to influence, improve and shape the services we deliver to best suit you.
The Tenant Action Group is made up of and led by our tenants, with an elected chairperson, secretary and treasurer. Feeding in to the work of the Tenant Action Group are our local tenant committee’s in each area.
Being a part of the Tenant Action Group you will have the chance to:
- Improve service delivery
- Share your local knowledge
- Build relationships with the wider community
- Have a say about future housing policy
- Organise social activities to build community connection
- Provide a voice for tenants with local and state government
- Join the tenant led Tenant Forum that is held every year
- Make sure tenants are provided with relevant information in easy-to-read formats, like our fact sheets and our quarterly tenant newsletters
- Develop skills through education, training and volunteering opportunities
Our Community Engagement Officers are here to provide help and support to members of the Tenant Action Group as needed.
"I would just like a phone call every now and again because nobody ever knocks".
This program was recently set up by the Tenant Action Group to help tenants who were feeling lonely. When your kids are all grown up, you leave work, get sick, or someone you love dies it can be a very lonely time.
"My daughter is very busy with her family which is understandable but sometimes I feel lonely. I just want contact with someone regularly".
The outreach program connects volunteers to tenants who regularly check in by phone or by dropping in for a cup of tea and a chat. Having regular contact and knowing that help is only a phone call away has completely changed some tenants’ lives.
For 78 year old Peter* the grief of losing his wife of 50 years was devastating. With his children living interstate and no close friends or family to rely on, Peter’s health and quality of life began to suffer. Although Mission Australia Housing took care of Peter’s rent and property maintenance, he felt desperately lonely. Our Tenant Action Group Outreach Program organised a volunteer to visit Peter at home each week. He now feels connected to the local community and has a new sense of belonging.
Quita, from the NSW Tenant Action Group committee says that:
"I call tenants weekly just for a social chat but they can talk about anything. In this program they are not just a tenant, not just a number. The Outreach Program provides a sense of being part of a community."
If you are in NSW and this sounds like something you would like to be involved in, either as a volunteer caller or to have a chat, please call your Community Development Team on 1800 269 672.
Where can I read more about what has been happening?
Mission Australia Housing publishes 2 tenant newsletters each year. The newsletter will be sent to you via post.
We love hearing what you have to say or stories you may have. Please feel free to speak to your Housing Manager or Community Development Managers if you have a story to include.
In and around my home
Here are some brochures that you may find helpful to maintain your home and your community.
Safety & security around your home
Your community garden
Rubbish management in your neighbourhood
Managing mould
Fire safety in your home
