Background history

1980 - 81

  • Housing options for single women are almost non-existent.
  • Low cost housing options for people on limited incomes are restricted to boarding houses and shared households.
  • Housing NSW does not accept applications from single people.
  • Women's  refuges are able to obtain some additional properties to operate as half way housing for women leaving services, but the management of these properties is difficult - balancing minimal funding between running crisis centres and managing resources for additional work.

1982

  • Limited funding becomes available from the NSW Department of Community Services to establish a new women's refuge or a housing organisation.
  • Women's Housing Company established, obtains four run down shared houses to begin operating a unique housing service, along with a grant of $50,000.

1983-84

  • A new housing program, the Community Tenancy Scheme is established and Women's Housing Company expands operations and receives additional funds.
  • Sixty locally based community housing schemes are established across NSW.

1996 onwards

  • Women's Housing Company successful in bid as a Growth Organisation and our property portfolio increases dramatically over next five years.
  • Due to anticipated growth WHC initiates development of an IT system that can manage tenant information.
  • The Tenancy Management System (TMS) is released; establishing a standard for the sector.

2002 

  • The Board of Women's Housing Company commences recruiting skill based members.
  • External review of structure is undertaken to enhance capacity building of organisation.

2003

  • WHC adopts a new constitution which governs the company.
  • Women's is now housing over 520 tenants.
  • Asset Management activities have increased emphasis as Women's obtains additional housing stock.

2005

  • New Registration  system requires Women's Housing Company to demonstrate agreed outcomes including service quality and financial stability.
  • We achieve Grade 'A' in all 9 key performance areas.
  • Accreditation status achieved again.
  • Major Strategic Plan is developed with a growth strategy.

2006

  • Women's Housing Company wins Award of Excellence for Organisational Management and Governance at NSW Community Housing Conference.
  • Office relocates to larger premises in same building enhancing the functionality and effectiveness of work environment.

2007

  • Women' s Housing Company manages 600 properties in the Sydney metropolitan area. The external environment for community housing sector rapidly changing as new government initiatives are implemented. Tendering for properties introduced.

2008

  • Women's Housing Company enters a consortium with 4 other housing associations to form BlueCHP. This special purpose affordable housing development and asset management company is set up to create growth for members; share resources and risk; as well as provide expertise in property development.

2009

  • BlueCHP allocates 37 properties for WHC to provide management services, increasing WHC portfolio to 658 properties.
  • Women's participates in new registration system pilot and obtains class 2 status.
  • Work on established common access system for the social housing system completed.

2010

  • WHC receives further 36 properties from BlueCHP including a block of units modified for women with limited mobility. The first tender for community housing providers to obtain title to a specified number of existing capital properties is announced.
  • New common access system implemented - Pathways which changes allocation process for community housing.
  • Increased specialisation required in designated roles and the implementation of senior management team at Women's Housing Company.
Registered community housing provider