COVID 19
As we finalise this newsletter, many of us are returning of Stage 3 Stay at Home restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne local government areas and Mitchell Shire for 6 weeks. This next period of restrictions will hopefully see a dramatic drop in the numbers of people infected and a return to some safe forms of physical contact.
While it hasn’t been easy, it’s great to see how co-ops have adapted to these challenges to ensure they can continue to function, support their members and are involved in Program Engagement activities.
I am very proud of the way that CEHL employees have embraced technology and remained focused on providing services while remotely working from home.
Housing stimulus
Before the restrictions were announced, the Victorian Government seemed poised to make a major investment in the social housing sector to aid economic stimulus and provide much-needed housing. It is critical the CEHL is well positioned to access as much of this funding as possible. This would enable us to accelerate our response to co-op aspirations and housing plans outlined in Future Directions Plans.
CEHL Program developments
Thank you to everyone who took part in the Rent Q&A Forum and provided constructive feedback. We will be building on this approach to provide opportunities for co-ops to gain further insight into the Program and how it fits in the housing sector, Program decisions and key Program issues. I will be providing more information to co-ops soon.
New team members
There have been some recent changes at CEHL management level as Ruth Pearse retired as Housing Services Manager after 12 years of dedicated service. Darina Seal, Manager of Co-op Development and Strategy Team is undertaking a new Strategic Program Projects role as she begins to transition to retirement at the end of the year. We welcome Anne Donovan, Manager, Co-op Development and Strategy Team and Laura Freeman, Manager, Housing Services.
Best wishes until the next update and during the current restrictions.
Stephen Nash
Managing Director