CWH News

Message from CWH CEO, Leonie King about COVID-19

Dear valued residents, partners and supporters,

We would like to acknowledge the significant impact the coronavirus (COVID-19) is having on communities and individuals across the country. Our thoughts go out to those who have been directly impacted by this crisis.

At City West Housing, we are taking the advice of the Australian and State Governments on the appropriate steps to manage our workforce through this period. We have updated our business continuity plan and are maintaining a high level of communication with our staff to ensure they are well informed and safe.

Go-Get x City West Housing Partnership

City West Housing (CWH), a Sydney based community housing organisation, today announces an innovative partnership with Australian car share provider GoGet. The partnership, a nationwide first, allows CWH residents free membership to GoGet’s best personal membership plan for the duration of their tenancy with CWH.

The membership will give CWH residents access to over 3,000 cars across Australia, for as little as $6.50 per hour which includes petrol, registration, insurance, repairs, cleaning and parking.

City West Stories

9 years waiting

Three years ago, Brian was living in a boarding house in Summer Hill, paying $200 a week for a small room in a sub-par condition. He was fighting to get back his disability pension and living on around $40 a week after rent.

“I didn’t have much at all, my life was a short walk around Ashmore shops and back to my room… I was very depressed.”

City West Stories – Paula

Paula, a retired CWH resident, has lived in the City of Sydney since she was born and watched the city evolve to what it is today.

When Paula, a Nutritionist, and her husband, a Geriatric Nurse, were raising their five children in Kings Cross, the cost of housing and daily living expenses were substantially lower than what they are today. “It was a comfortable family life”, Paula reflects.

“There weren’t many job prospects for woman back then especially married ones. I was working at a local bar when a friend of one of the girls there asked me to come cook at her child care centre.”

Paula is one of many Australian’s who never bought property. “Raising five children and putting them through school, we never had the money to buy. That just wasn’t on the cards for us”, she states.

Keeping essential services workers in Sydney

When high school English teacher Victor realised he and his wife could no longer afford to live where they worked, he had a moment where he considered going into private education.

“I could have gone into the private system where the pay is potentially higher, but I’ve made an ethical choice not to,” Victor says.

Video: 25th Anniversary Thank You

Update: CWH Tenant Voice (CWH TV)

The CWH TV crew have been busy working on some exciting new projects over the past few months. The team have been focusing on community awareness and the positive impact being a CWH resident in affordable housing can create in our local area.

CWH 2019 Resident Survey

This year is the second year we’ve engaged CHIA NSW to conduct our annual Tenant Satisfaction Survey. We’re happy to see improvements in various areas including ability to influence decision making and tenant involvement which have increased by 11% and 9% respectively. You can see the full 2019 results and our commitments at https://www.citywesthousing.com.au/tenant-survey

City West Stories – Lisa

Letters from the Landlord

Lisa had been living in Glebe for 11 years when she received a letter from her landlord that the apartment complex she was living in had been sold. Not knowing what this meant for her current housing, Lisa soon found out it she was going to incur a whopping $160 a week rent increase.

Lisa was in her 60’s by this stage and working 10-12 hour days as a shift worker. Lisa came to the realisation that the new rent was not sustainable and made the decision to move. “Ihad anxiety every time I got a letter what it would mean, whether the landlord was selling or putting up the rent as I had experienced both.” However, with work and life circumstances it was no easy feat to find a safe, affordable apartment in the city.

Lisa put her belongings in storage and was staying with a friend when she received an offer from CWH.

Sunday Best Community Lunch

Sunday 16 June wasn’t just any ordinary Sunday. It was the day of the first-ever Sunday Best community lunch hosted by CWH in partnership with the City of Sydney.

The lunch began with a quick session of networking and reconnecting, neighbours meeting new neighbours and old friends. What an astonishing sight it was, to see so many people from different backgrounds and ages chatting, laughing and hugging in the one room. The buzz and excitement was infectious!