Our Response to Covid-19
As the global COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic continues to evolve, we are closely monitoring advice from the Australian and NSW Governments on how to best minimise risks.
The Women’s Housing Company is a provider of essential services and continues to operate throughout the COVID-19 crisis.
What We Are Doing
Following the easing of COVID-19 related restrictions announced by the NSW Government in February 2022, our offices are reopening to the public from Monday, 14 March 2022. Please contact us to make an appointment prior to your visit. This ensures we can keep you and all other visitors safe. You are still welcome to contact us by phone or by email.
Home visits, face-to-face tenant engagement activities and property inspections (including pest inspections, preventative plumbing, gutter cleaning and smoke alarm testing) are resuming from Monday, 7 March 2022.
We continue to monitor the situation and will provide you with updates on our website in response to advice from the Australian and NSW Governments.
Staying Connected
From Monday, 14 March 2022, our offices are open to the public during business hours between 9.00am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Appointments are strongly encouraged, please contact us to make an appointment prior to your visit.
You can contact us as follows:
- General inquiries or to make an appointment - by phone on 9281 1764 or 1300 942 111 (if outside Sydney), by email on contact@womenshousingcompany.org or by post
- For repairs - by phone on 8202 9313 or email on repairs@womenshousingcompany.org
- For after-hours emergency repairs - by phone on 1300 556 057
- Homelessness Support Services inquiries - by phone on 9602 9160 or by email on info@whss.org.au
Paying Your Rent
The Women’s Housing Company relies on rental payments to maintain homes and deliver services to women in need. This means it is as important as ever that you continue to pay your rent.
Any tenant that has difficulty paying rent should contact their Tenancy Manager as soon as possible. We will work with you to discuss a range of options that can help sustain your tenancy and avoid debt.
If you currently pay rent by visiting a bank branch and wish to reduce the need to leave your home, we encourage you to set up Internet Banking or CentrePay (a bill paying service which is free for Centrelink recipients). Contact your Tenancy Manager to discuss these options.
For more information on how we support tenants if your income changes, please see our Rent Policy.
Property Repairs And Maintenance
All repairs and maintenance are resuming from Monday, 7 March 2022, including repairs and maintenance in all common areas. Please continue to report any property repairs or maintenance issues by phone or email.
If we are completing any repairs or maintenance works in your home, staff and contractors will call before visiting to ask a few screening questions. If a member of your household is feeling unwell or is at increased risk, we may reschedule the repair.
Our staff and contractors will observe COVID-19 Safe Work Practices while working at your home and in common areas of properties, including observing social distancing of 1.5 metres. We thank you for your cooperation to ensuring our services can be delivered in a COVID-19 safe way for everyone concerned.
Specialist Homelessness Services
The Women’s Housing Company Specialist Homelessness Service and crisis accommodation in South Western Sydney have additional screening and hygiene protocols in place. We will monitor advice from the Australian and NSW Governments on the COVID-19 situation with regards to any changes to service delivery.
What You Should Do
Further Information
For the most up-to-date and detailed information visit www.health.nsw.gov.au or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
NSW Department of Communities and Justice COVID-19 response and housing services
www.coronavirus.dcj.nsw.gov.au
Australian Government advice on Centrelink payments and services available to people affected by COVID-19
www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/subjects/affected-coronavirus-covid-19
COVID-19 information in community languages
www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/coronavirus-explained-in-your-language
Multicultural NSW YouTube Channel
Australian Government information and referrals for people with disability and their supporters about COVID-19
www.dss.gov.au/disability-and-carers/information-and-referrals-for-people-with-disability-and-their-supporters-about-coronavirus-covid-19
Please see below for Frequently Asked Questions or contact us if you have any concerns.