Our 2021 AGM- Our Pathway From Homelessness to Homeownership
On Thursday, 18th of November 2021, Head Start Homes held its 4th Annual General Meeting via video conference. Our AGM was attended by our Members and Directors who were located in Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane.
The meeting was hosted by our Chair, Vanessa Chan and our Founder, Stephen Woodlands. Vanessa welcomed guests and spoke of success in 2021:
“2021 has been a year of innovation and scaling for us. We have moved from NSW into South Australia, Queensland and are currently engaging with partners in Victoria, creating new pipelines, disrupting models and nurturing a shared vision across an incredibly diverse collective of stakeholders.”
Our Directors Jodie Stevens and Rajiv Viswanathan then provided some reflections on the year and spoke about their passion for being part of the Head Start Homes’ community.
Jodie Stevens, HSH Director
Jodie said:
“I'm very grateful that I've been able to spend the last 12 months working with everybody that's involved in Head Start Homes. I bring some diversity to the board and a professional background that stems from the people and culture functions within an organisation.
“I sit on some other boards, and I speak so proudly about Head Start Homes and the role we play in enhancing lives. In my professional capacity I am often drawing on my Head Start Homes experience, sharing the wonderful work and commitment of the team.”
Rajiv Viswanathan, HSH Director
Rajiv said:
'‘For the last nine years, I worked at Indigenous Business Australia (IBA), a govt owned body that supports economic independence for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people which is something I'm really passionate about. I ended up being the CEO for the last few years until December and then it was time to get out on my own and get involved in really impactful stuff in different ways.
“In my interactions with everyone so far, Head Start Homes has its own feel of being a community and I'm sure that’s the case with the customers being supported as well. I'm really looking forward to getting more people into homes because I've seen the impact this has on people's lives when I was at IBA and also in my personal life. I know that impact can be huge for people from all walks of life.” Rajiv said.
Karen Giuliani, Board Observer
Karen Giuliani also shared her views and reflections from her time on our Board over the past 12 months as a valued Westpac Foundation Board Observer.
“I feel very privileged to have been selected to observe the HSH Board. I’ve observed a group of passionate and professional directors, led by a fantastic chair and managing director.
“To sum up the year that I’ve had, first and foremost the exposure that I’ve had to both Vanessa and Stephen and their leadership has been quite invaluable. I’ve really observed a strong governance, a very clear vision and strategy, and never has it faulted away from the core purpose and intent of the organisation, which I think is very critical.
“Secondly with all the stories that we’ve seen from people that we’ve placed in homes and lives that have changed, it’s been very meaningful to see the great work that this organisation does and the positive impact it’s having in the communities and individuals.
“I sincerely want to thank Head Start Homes for the wonderful opportunity that I’ve had.” Karen said.
Vanessa Chan, HSH Chair
Vanessa then provided her Chair’s address which highlighted our impact and achievements.
“I am delighted to share our achievements during this remarkable year. The impacts of climate change and the global pandemic draw into sharp focus the need for housing solutions for vulnerable Australians on low incomes, experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and those who have had to face personal crisis and structural disadvantage, often with young children in tow.” She said.
Vanessa also gave a special thanks to Philip Riquier, Brooke Flint and Sarah Reilly who retired in 2021 and welcomed Rajiv Viswanathan our newest Director.
Vanessa also thanked our entire community for the pivotal role they play at HSH:
“It is a privilege to Chair this dynamic social enterprise as we work together towards innovative solutions to homelessness, housing security and affordability, and I’d like to extend my thanks to our Directors, staff and volunteers who never cease to bring their passion, dedication and creativity to our work.”
Stephen Woodland, Founder and Managing Director
Stephen Woodlands, our Founder and Managing Director, highlighted how our unique model has been successful in creating our holistic pathway from homelessness to home ownership.
“We have identified three structural barriers into home ownership faced by our clients which we call the ‘deposit’, ‘know-how’ and ‘supply’ barriers. We are proud to be addressing all three barriers with our innovative solutions.
“In a little over 12 months we’ve helped more than 50 beneficiaries with our empowerment services and also helped four households buy their own home, thereby freeing up an additional four social and affordable homes.
“Our Home Starters are now greatly benefiting from all the advantages of being an empowered home owner.
“In their own words they’re able to ‘put pictures up on the wall and paint’. They also will not be forced to move if they earn too much money at work.
“Importantly, their mortgage repayments will go down over time as they pay off their loan as opposed to rent, which increases over time. They will have a valuable asset which they can rely on in retirement and can also pass onto their kids. These are some of the key reasons why home ownership is one of the best ways to end intergenerational poverty.
“The profound positive outcomes of our pathway don’t just stop there. This is because we always directly help two families at once: the new home owners and the newly housed community housing family.” Stephen said.
Stephen also gave a special thanks to our fabulous Board, staff, volunteers and the 100 plus organisations who have supported us since our inception. This includes our Founding Partner Westpac and the Aboriginal Housing Office for providing essential grant funding and Aboriginal Community Housing Limited and Adelaide Benevolent Society for being key referral partners.
Stephen ended his presentation by sharing the following video from Martha one of our newest home starters which highlighted what home ownership meant for her:
2021 Annual Report Highlights
In a little over 12 months, we’ve helped more than 50 beneficiaries with empowerment services (which includes savings plans and credit checks) and have also helped four households buy their own home, thereby freeing up an additional four social and affordable homes.
An overview as to how our empowerment products, services and innovations help our clients overcome the “deposit”, “know-how” and “supply” barriers.
Eaysu and Martha’s journey from a refugee camp in Africa, to becoming proud homeowners in Adelaide.
Our impact in the remote community of Burketown in far northwest Queensland, where we helped to create a landmark homeownership pathway for First Nations tenants Maddy and Jordan Marshall.
Hope’s home ownership story. Hope, 49 works as a nurse in the mid-north coast of NSW and said: “I have been a single mum for the past 32 years, raising three beautiful Aboriginal children. I am also a proud grandma. Thanks to Head Start Homes, I’m now also a proud homeowner.”
An interview with Jody Broun, Chief Executive of the Aboriginal Housing Office - partner organisation to HSH, who said: “They are doing it the right way - giving people choice, helping them through the process, holding their hand and stepping them through the whole thing which fits well with the AHO strategy as well as our philosophy about choice and empowering people.”
Comments from founding partner Westpac - Managing Director of Mortgages, Anthony Hughes, said the partnership aligns with Westpac’s long-standing vision to help more Australians into their own homes.
Quotes and endorsements from some of the 100 cross sector business and charities who support Head Start Homes and provide in-kind support that this year is valued at $403,000 and have made a total contribution of $2.5million.
A snapshot of the wonderful support provided by our skilled volunteers who donated hours to the value of more than $156,000 this year.
We invite you to read through our latest report that demonstrates the milestones and achievements of the past 12 months, and highlights the voice of those who have experienced disadvantage and life in community housing, and who are now looking forward to a future free of housing poverty. All attendees received a copy of Head Start Homes Annual Report. You can download your copy here:
