Victorian Public Tenants Association in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Community organisation

Victorian Public Tenants Association

Locality: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Phone: +61 3 9481 4500

Address: 166 Brunswick Street 3070 Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Website: https://www.vpta.org.au

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• Non-profit organisation
• Community organisation

23.01.2022 2021 is here! Our team will be back on the phones from 9am on Monday January 4, and we can't wait to hear from you. Happy New Year. From the team at the VPTA - our best wishes for 2021.

21.01.2022 Did you know that the Collingwood Estate is home to a gym with state-of-the-art equipment and speciality health classes? Yarra Leisure runs the centre for both estate residents and the general public. The gym runs classes Mondays to Thursdays on a first-come, first-served basis, including strength training, HIIT and women-only classes. They’re free for members and $2 for non-members. There’s also the free ‘Yarra Youth’ exercise program for 14 to 17-year-olds For more information, click here: https://leisure.yarracity.vic.gov.au//collingwood-estate-g

20.01.2022 #AlwaysWasAlwaysWillBe

19.01.2022 Our team will be taking a short break over the coming days. Our staff are still working from home, and will be on leave from 5pm on Christmas Eve (24 December). We'll be working again from 9am on Monday January 4. ... If you wish to get in contact with us during that time period, we will respond to you from Monday 4th. You can leave us a message on 1800 015 510, or email [email protected]. The Maintenance Call Centre and After Hours maintenance arrangements remain in place, call 13 11 72. If you need to speak to a homelessness worker, you can call 1800 825 955.

17.01.2022 VPTA is proud to have signed up to ‘Embracing Equity,’ which advocates for urgent action for ending the discrimation, harassment and ongoing inequalities against LGBTQI+ people across Victoria. Embracing Equity actively represents more than a dozen organisations in the sector across the state, and any state-based service provider can sign the pledge. VPTA is proud to have signed the pledge and we encourage others to do so, too. To find out more information, click here:

15.01.2022 Brilliant news!

13.01.2022 Social housing project blocked A social housing project that was to be built in Melbourne’s West has been dumped despite the area having one of the biggest waiting lists for social and affordable housing in the state. Maribyrnong Council blocked the proposal, which was strongly opposed by local Seddon residents who claimed that the 66 units would have put too much pressure on local amenities and facilities.... https://www.theage.com.au//ministers-maul-maribyrnong-afte

13.01.2022 From our family to yours, wishing you a safe and happy holiday season.

12.01.2022 Looking back at the wild ride that was 2020... JANUARY Bushfires ravage parts of Victoria, thankfully impacting very few public housing properties. ... FEBRUARY We begin using a new database system, so we can respond to calls from residents in a more streamlined way. We attend the AHURI Housing: the Foundation for Mental Health Conference. We launch ‘Tell the Treasurer’ an online campaign for people to send an email to the Victorian Treasurer, calling for a deep investment in public housing in the 2020 Budget. Mana-na Woorn-Tyeen Maar-Takoort - Every Aboriginal Person Has a Home framework released. MARCH Lockdowns begin in Victoria and VPTA staff begin working from home. APRIL We say goodbye to our long time home on the Walker Street estate, and move to our new office in Fitzroy. Covid emergency measures begin, including a moratorium on evictions and a freeze of rent increases. MAY Victorian Housing Peaks release Making Social Housing Work: A Framework for Victoria’s Public and Community Housing 2020 2030. A joint report calling for 60,000 new properties over the next ten years (or 6,000 a year). Public Housing maintenance blitz announced. JULY Nine high rise apartment buildings in North Melbourne and Flemington go into a hard lockdown. Beginning of Ombudsman’s investigation into the hard lockdown A new Tenant Advocate joins the team (Lisa) Our Chair participates in a public housing online panel with thinktank Per Capita. Freeze on rent increases extended in Victoria. AUGUST Tower Relocation Program announced. SEPTEMBER We give evidence to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Homelessness in Victoria. VPTA holds an online AGM. OCTOBER Federal Budget handed down, including NO support for public or community housing, and a cut to funding for the specialist homelessness services sector. NOVEMBER Victorian Budget handed down, including a significant investment in social housing, but with unfortunately no growth in public housing, but does include money for energy efficiency upgrades for public housing properties. VPTA hosts free online energy workshops with Consumer Policy Research Centre. Recruitment begins for a new Tenants Reference Group. DECEMBER We attend the National Housing and Homelessness Conference Ombudsman releases investigation report and findings, including a recommendation that the Government publicly apologise to the residents of North Melbourne and Flemington. AND THROUGH IT ALL Our team of Tenant Advocates continue to give free and confidential advice and assistance to people living in public housing. We handled 475 cases including 167 maintenance issues and 109 transfer/swaps. We made and received more than 3,000 calls on behalf of tenants. Can't wait to see you all in 2021!

12.01.2022 A quick reminder that people who live in high rise/low rise public housing are eligible now for the Covid-19 vaccine across Victoria. People who are homeless are also eligible. Please click here for more information about where you can book for an appointment and which vaccine you are eligible for.

09.01.2022 While many Victorians bunker down at home for our fourth lockdown, we want to acknowledge and thank the many, many people who are continuing to work in public and to fulfill their care roles to their families and their communities. THANK YOU!!! Cleaners... Nurses, doctors and health care workers Receptionists and administration staff Cooks and cafe workers Public transport, taxi, ride-share drivers and cyclists Aged care workers Vets and vet staff Community volunteers and family carers Supermarket workers Disability support workers, and Emergency workers See more

02.01.2022 It's undeniable that Australia urgently needs more public housing, and that it's high time for the Federal Government to stand up, step up, and take action. Our friends at Everybody's Home would like you to email the Federal Government, and make your thoughts known. https://everybodyshome.com.au/end-homelessness-2020/