Partnering with Wayss
Wayss call on all levels of government to work with property investors and the broader business and community services sector to work strategically and immediately to increase investment in affordable and diverse housing options in Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia that will increase rental property supply and affordability.
We are committed to ending homelessness in our region, but we know this will take the power of partnership between local community, business and government to achieve this goal.
Built for Good
Built for Good provides 10 stable homes for women and their children in the Cardinia Shire, who are facing homelessness due to experiences with family violence. The homes include two, three and four bedroom townhouses, which are within walking distance to schools, local services and public transport. Families are provided with safe, secure housing, while specialist onsite workers assist them to rebuild their lives. Throughout their tenancy, families are supported to build on essential skills such as community engagement and positive parenting; and participate in education, employment training and life-skills development. When they are ready to move forward, they are offered support to access and maintain permanent housing. Projects of this scale only become a reality with true collaboration and cooperation. For this Project:- Cardinia Shire Council provided land for the development
- Peter and Lyndy White Foundation funded construction of the homes
- Sienna Homes also contributed to the building project
- Windermere are providing family and children support services
- Wayss is the property manager and partners with Windermere to deliver onsite specialised support services
Peter and Lyndy White Foundation
Wayss’ partnership with the Peter and Lyndy White Foundation has already achieved many life-changing outcomes, with more on the horizon.
In 2013, the Peter and Lyndy White Foundation donated five properties to Wayss to provide housing for those facing homelessness. These properties have offered much-needed support to those families in need, most of whom are women with children escaping family violence.
In 2016, the Peter and Lyndy White Foundation purchased an additional six brand new single-bedroom apartments, in the Dandenong area, on behalf of Wayss. The properties have been made available to Wayss’ clients, mostly single females over 50 years, many having experienced family violence.
The Peter and Lyndy White Foundation’s generosity and ongoing support continues, as they were a key driver of the Built for Good – Main Street Project (see left), which supports victim survivors of family violence. Since its inception, the Peter and Lyndy White Foundation has distributed over $25 million in grants, enhancing the quality of life of Victoria’s disadvantaged and vulnerable community members.
Assertive Outreach Support Program for People in Rooming Houses
Wayss has partnered with City of Casey to deliver the Assertive Outreach Support Program for People in Rooming Houses. This crucial Program provides outreach case-management throughout Casey to support those who have experienced, or are facing, homelessness, and are either entering or residing in a rooming house.
An outreach worker actively engages with people in rooming houses and offers support related to accommodation and services. The caseworker supports clients to access stable, affordable and secure housing, as well as addresses non-housing related support needs that could be affecting their capacity to maintain a tenancy.
Rooming house residents are among the most vulnerable in our community. They could have issues with mental health, drug and alcohol abuse, addiction, family violence and exposure to trauma. Most residents have no access to support programs, while their issues can be exacerbated due to their residency in a rooming house.
The program works to improve the quality of rooming houses, as well as equip residents with improved independent living skills, as they work towards securing long-term accommodation. The Program has already achieved lasting benefits for many residents and the community.
The Minta Group
Through support from The Minta Group (TMG) Family Fund, Wayss has supported vulnerable families from the Berwick area to access and maintain long-term accommodation. One major advantage of this partnership is Wayss can direct assistance to people who do not meet specific criteria of government funded programs.
In 2018-19, initiatives from the partnership supported 35 families – comprising 47 adults and 72 children – into stable, secure and affordable housing. In total, 28 single-parent families were supported, as well as eight families from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
The families experienced many critical issues and challenges, such as family violence or homelessness, or single parents raising child/ren with disabilities or special needs.
The funds became available to support vulnerable families as part of the sale of Minta Farm, formerly a 286 hectare cropping property in Berwick, which was sold to property developers. After the sale, TMG sought to give back to the community through assisting families to obtain long-term accommodation.
