25 June - CEHL Services Update

A memo was sent to co-ops and letter to direct tenants today to provide an update to CEHL Services as COVID-19 measures continue to change. 

Update of CEHL Services are provided for each type of membership:

• CEHL Services Update for Common Equity Rental Housing Co-ops - for CERCs
• CEHL Services Update for Community Managed Co-ops - for CMCs
• CEHL Services Update for Direct Tenants

Guide to Managing Meetings and Coronavirus for co-ops

Link to translated information regarding Coronavirus from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) 

Link to information about Coronavirus for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community 
from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)

Members notified: by Portal, email, text, letter, website

14 May – Managing Rent Arrears & Evictions during COVID-19

Link to Managing Rent Arrears & Evictions during COVID-19 new article

Temporary laws have been introduced into Victorian Parliament to help protect tenants suffering financial hardship due to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Victorian Housing Registrar has also declared that all Community Housing organisations must report any plans or decisions to end a tenancy for any reason until 27 September 2020.

! Before making any decision to take legal action, all co-ops must contact their Co-op Development Coordinator, so appropriate reports can be made and further action planned.

Members notified: by Portal, email, text, letter, website

24 April – Rent Model Q+A

Link to Rent Model Q&A Forum

Summary

CEHL scheduled a question and answer forum for members regarding the Rent Model due to increasing questions.  The forum was moderated by Capire Consultants and the agenda was as follows:

• why a new rent model was needed
• the process that was carried out to develop the new rent model
• how the rent model works
• answer member and tenant questions about the rent model and recent changes

Members notified: by Portal, email, text, website

17 April – Rent Increase deferred

Link to Rent Increase deferred new article

CEHL will not apply rent increases for all members on assessed or maximum rent, until 27 September 2020. This decision has been made in response to the Victorian Government announcement on Wednesday 15 April 2020 regarding Supporting Tenants and Landlords through Coronavirus.

Summary

1. Rent increase deferred until 27 September 2020
2. Annual rent review continues, members now have until 1 May to submit Household Information Form
3. Households with reduced incomes, can have their rent assessed immediately
4. Completing the Annual Rent Review will enable CEHL to have a complete understanding of the financial impact that the delayed rent increases will have for co-ops and CEHL as it may impact maintenance & CEHL services

Call CEHL RENT HOTLINE 9208 0806 for assistance, leave your name, phone number and best time to call.

Members notified by: Portal, email, text, letter, website

3 April – Message from CEHL Chair and Managing Director

Link to Message to members video

Members notified by: Portal, email, text, website

30 March - Making it easier for an immediate rent re-assessment

Link to Making it easier for an immediate rent re-assessment new article

Summary

• If member income has changed by more than $50 gross income per week, they can lodge a new Household Information Form (HIF) and CEHL will complete a new rent assessment
• Households needing an immediate change should lodge HIF with 'immediate action required' on the HIF
• If members are applying for Centrelink because they have lost their job or had a reduction in hours because of COVID-19, they can lodge their HIF without evidence of income. CEHL will set their income at the published Centrelink rates that fit their household
• Any household that lodges a HIF without evidence will be contacted later in the year to confirm their income levels and request evidence once it is available
• The Annual Rent Review is still continuing, if members have lodged a HIF already and need to update it, lodge another HIF

All rent queries should call the CEHL RENT HOTLINE  9208 0806.

Members notified by: Portal, email, text, letter, website

25 March – Income and supplements and CEHL Rent Assessments

Link to Income supplements and CEHL rent assessments news article

Summary

• COVID-19 related supplementary income payments will NOT be regarded as income and households are not required to request a rent re-assessment. The payments include:
  • Coronavirus supplement
  • Economic support payment
  • Crisis payment

Members notified by: Portal, email, text, letter, website

20 March - How to request a rent re-assessment

Link to Request a rent re-assessment news article

Summary

• The Program provides security of tenure
• Members rent charge can be changed when your income changes
• All members can request a rent reassessment if their income changes or fluctuates by more than $50 gross per week

To have your rent re-assessed:

• CERC members should complete a Household Information Form and submit to their co-op Rent Officer
• CMC and Direct Tenants should complete a Household Information Form and submit to FinServ@cehl.com.au using the portal, email or by post.

Need help?

Contact CEHL Referral to Support Services if you need further support services, including financial counselling  : Contact number is 0400 409 655 or CEHLReferrals@launchhousing.org.au

Members notified by: Portal, email, text, letter, website

20 March - Closure of Community Rooms at some CEHL buildings

Co-ops affected by the closures are:

• Canadian Place
• Earth
• Herbert Street Village
• Lakewood
• Veronica Village (Geelong)

Household in the above co-ops were informed that in line with government advice to reduce the risk of transmission of Coronavirus (COVID-19), CEHL has closed community spaces until further notice.

We encourage people to connect socially with residents in other ways through phone, email and social media where possible.

Contact CEHL Referral to Support Services if you need further support services: Contact number is 0400 409 655 or
CEHLReferrals@launchhousing.org.au

Coronavirus Hotline 1800 675 398 www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronaviru...

Members of relevant co-ops notified by: Portal, email, text, phone call and posters put on-site 

18 March – CEHL Working Remotely – Proactive response to COVID-19

Link to Proactive response to COVID-19 news article

Summary

• CEHL will be working remotely until further notice
• There will be some reduction in face-to-face services to co-ops, tenancy and property inspections until further notice
• When leaving a message please leave your name, contact number and details about your query.

Call the Coronavirus Hotline for more information about personal health and safety measures you can take.

Coronavirus Hotline 1800 675 398 www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronaviru...

Members notified by: Letter, email and text message sent to all households.

Overall, the field staff aim to see co-ops thrive, they are available to assist co-ops to understand and carry out their responsibilities and support their members.

For further information, including arranging a training time - particularly useful for co-op members taking on an office bearer role for the first time contact your CEHL Co-op Development Co-ordinator CDC.

Property Officer

Responsible for:

• Property inspections every three years
• Providing advice, guidance and training to Maintenance Directors to ensure they are able to fulfil obligations under the CCA
• Ensuring each co-op has an Annual Maintenance Plan and that work is completed as per the plan
• Managing the delivery of Third Schedule projects

Co-Op Development Coordinator

Responsible for:

• Assisting communication between CEHL and the co-ops
• Provide advice and guidance to co-op directors regarding co-op governance and operational management
• Developing resources and training to assist applicants and new members to understand housing co-operatives and member commitments
• Assisting co-ops to develop and implement Future Directions Plan
• Monitoring co-op performance and assisting co-ops to find ways to resolve difficulties where needed
• Keeping co-ops informed of new requirements and program developments
• Developing resources and training to assist co-ops to meet their obligations

Tenancy Coordinator

Responsible for:

• Management of tenancies in Community Managed Co-operatives CMC and direct tenants
• Establish new tenancies and process vacating tenancies according to CEHL Policy and procedure
• Manage ongoing tenancies
• Manage rent arrears in accordance with CEHL Rent Arrears Policy and procedure and the Residential Tenancies Act (A fee for service for Common Equity Rental Housing Cooperatives CERCs)
• Ensure property inspections are conducted annually
• Facilitate maintenance of properties

Finance Services Officer

• Rent calculation
• Bookkeeping service
• Arrears management
• Audit

A staff member from Launch Housing is now working with CEHL to provide members and tenants with referral to support services. The support services available can assist in many aspects of daily life including financial counselling, health or disability services, family relationships, etc.

You do not need to be facing a housing crisis to access this service.

This is a confidential service that is fully funded for all co-op members and CEHL tenants by CEHL. You do not need to be eligible for other Launch Support programs to access this service.

To find out more 0400 409 655 or email CEHLReferrals@launchhousing.org.au

CEHL hosts a series of Regional Forums in eight locations across the state 3-4 times per year.

The main purpose of the Regional Forum, is to:

• share information about issues and developments affecting the CEHL Program
• listen to matters important to co-op members and any upcoming challenges and opportunities they face

Regular updates are provided from CEHL staff and regional co-op representatives regarding organisational changes, policy development, training plans and newsletter ideas.

Members are encouraged to share their experiences in a key discussion at each meeting and opportunities for further networking can be added to the meeting.

Registrations for attendance and proposals for upcoming key discussion topics can be made by sending an email to REGIONALFORUMS@CEHL.COM.AU

Regional Forum Notes

The CEHL Board recognises that the fundamental foundation of the Program is the contribution of co-op members to the work of their co-ops and the wider Program. This contribution, by thousands of members over many years, has created this unique and successful program.

Each year the CEHL Board recognises outstanding contributors to the wider CEHL Program and authorises their names being added to the CEHL Honour Board.

New Honour Board recipients are announced annually at the CEHL Annual General Meeting.

For more details about these services contact your Co-Op Development Co-ordinator or speak to CEHL Financial Services 9208 0800.

Bookkeeping Monthly Service

• Update circuit with receipts & payments
• Bank reconciliation
• Tenant movement
• Rent cards updated & sent directly to tenants
• Monthly reports & rent cards sent to co-op
• Assistance to produce documents required for reporting purposes by CEHL & Australian Taxation Office etc

Rent Calculation Service

• Eligibility for new tenants
• Rent calculation for new & transferring tenants
• Rent calculation when tenant's income or household composition change

Arrears Management Service

Manage Arrears Management Service to contracted Co-ops in accordance with CEHL Rent Arrears Policy & Procedures & Service Agreement by;

• Monitoring weekly rental payments and follow up any outstanding arrears
• Requesting permission from Co-op to commence VCAT action to recover arrears
• Providing weekly rent arrears reports & correspondence to client co-op in a timely manner
• Monitoring all active VCAT Orders to ensure compliance
• Ensuring all rent arrears actions are recorded

Community Managed Co-operative CMC Board Liaison

• Timely reporting on tenancy management activities and relevant issues to co-op board meetings
• Collaborate with co-op boards and partner agencies in the development of strategies and policies relevant to the management of co-located sites
• Responding to requests by co-op members and tenants in a manner that fosters co-op control and successful long-term tenancies
• Provide advice and support to co-ops about VCAT process and possession orders
• Timely notification of changes to onsite CEHL attendance/worker
• Respond to co-op board complaints according to complaints policy & procedure

CEHL Training And Resources

CEHL offers a range of training and resources to co-ops including:

• a yearly calendar of regional training workshops
• self-directed workbooks available online (Reviewed and developed in conjunction with the Training Advisory Committee TAC)
• Regional Forums, providing the latest Program information and an opportunity for co-op share experiences
• a yearly Conference to discuss key program topics and provide an opportunity for co-ops from all regions to share information and network
• individual coaching to Co-op Directors (upon request)
• an education scholarship program to assist co-op members and their families to access further education

For details of upcoming training and events see What's on or speak to your Co-op Development Co-ordinator.

Maintenance responsibilities include:

• Scheduling of regular and cyclical maintenance including smoke detector inspections, gutter cleaning and carbon monoxide testing
• Inspect properties once vacated and prepare them for the next tenancy
• Organise urgent and responsive repairs when required
• Provide reports to CMC Boards

CEHL manages all landlord responsibilities for Community Managed Co-operatives CMC and direct tenants - VicWide.

CEHL's manages tenancies according to CEHL Policy and Procedure and the Residential Tenancies Act.

Functions carried out by tenancy management include:

Establish new tenancies and process vacating tenancies according to CEHL Policy and Procedure by:

• conducting sign-up appointments ensuring tenants are informed of their rights and responsibilities
• establish and finalise rent accounts
• ensuring tenant maintenance responsibilities are fulfilled
• resolving breaches of the tenancy agreement
• taking legal action if necessary

Manage ongoing tenancies by:

• maintaining tenancy records
• conduct annual property inspections
• assessing and following up any complaints
• refer tenants to support services where necessary to sustain the tenancy in accordance with CEHL Referral to a Support Agency Policy and Procedures

Management of rent arrears

• weekly monitoring of rent payments
• initiating VCAT action to recover rent arrears

Management of property vacancies

• managed in accordance with CEHL Policy and Procedures

Liaise with co-op board members

• provide reports on tenancy management and other relevant activities to co-op boards

Fee for Service

Arrears Management see CEHL Financial Services for more information