Inside this issue: Outreach Services 2

FACS Update 2

Community Notices 3

Resource List 4

Kids Corner 4

SOUTH WESTERN REGIONAL TENANTS ASSOCIATION

Who is SWRTA?

“TENANTS HELPING TENANTS”

We are here to help you with:

Advocacy

Support

Form Filling

Providing

Information

South Western Regional Tenants Association is a tenant based organisation, known in the community as SWRTA. Established in 1984, SWRTA helps and supports social housing tenants throughout South Western Sydney. The organisation encourages enquiries from tenants regarding all tenancy matters.

SWRTA is run by a volunteer Board of Management and has many volunteer opportunities available. As well as volunteering, SWRTA also welcomes Student Placements.

CONTACT US Phone: (02) 9821 1700 & (02) 9734 4623

Fax: (02) 9821 1117

Address: 45 Atkinson St, Liverpool NSW 2170

PO Box: PO Box 4544 Casula Mall, Casula NSW 2170

Email: swrtainc@bigpond.com

Website: http://swrtainc.wix.com/swrta

OUR Services: SWRTA provides advocacy and advice services to tenants living in:

Aboriginal Housing

Community Housing

Public Housing

MAY NEWSLETTER

Outreach Services: Appointments can be made at our office in Liverpool, or at any of our Outreach locations. To make an appointment you can call our office or call any centre we are at and ask about SWRTA’s Outreach. For a full list of our outreach locations with dates and times

visit out website: http://swrtainc.wix.com/swrta

Miller Community Centre: Address: 18 Woodward Cres, Miller NSW, 2168

ADRA Community Centre: Address: 6 Mallee Pl, Macquarie Fields, 2564

COMMUNITY notices:

SWRTA 2

Salvation Army Macquarie Fields: Address: 1 Mountain Ash Rd, Macquarie Fields, 2564

SWRTA is now available for appointments at 3 new outreach locations:

5th

Miller Community Centre

11th

Claymore Community Centre

15th:

Salvation Army Macquarie Fields

May 2017:

SWRTA will be hosting an Information Day in Claymore this month!

Come along and have your say as we have a special guest who is reviewing the FACS Management Model.

This review is your opportunity to have your say regarding all things Housing! They will need to know both the good and the bad! So come along ready to share your experiences.

Afternoon Tea will be provided & a lucky door

prize will be given!

To find out more about the day call our office on (02) 9821 1700

FACS HOUSING

The Department of Family & Community Services (FACS) is running a tenant amnesty for all FACS Housing & Aboriginal Housing Office approved household members from:

24th April—11th June 2017.

Tenants who declare new sources of income, financial assets, owned property and/or unauthorised occupants during this time period will not have their subsidy backdated, or fear prosecution.

The easiest way to make a declaration is by using the online form.

You can also make a report;

by contacting Housing 24 hours, 7 days a week on 1800 422 322 or

By emailing amnesty2017@facs.nsw.gov.au

What is covered under the 2017 tenant amnesty?

Any undisclosed income: this includes income from employment, dividends from shares, superannuation payments received during retirement or a change in your Centrelink payment type. You do not need to report any changes if you had an increase to your current Centrelink payment– this will be identified during an automatic subsidy update. YOU WILL HOWEVER need to report any changes to your payment type (for example if you’ve gone from Newstart Allowance to Disability Support Pension).

Any financial assets: this includes a financial inheritance, cash savings, term deposits and any financial asset.

Any property ownership: this includes a home/unit, vacant land or commercial property owned under your name or that you have shared ownership of.

Any unauthorised occupants: this includes anyone living with you who hasn't been approved by FACS.

Is there anything I could still be in trouble for during the amnesty period?

Yes. Tenants who make declarations that don't fall under one of the protected amnesty categories will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and may face prosecution, based on the evidence provided.

You also need to ensure that you make any reports during the amnesty period, from 24th April to 11th June 2017, to qualify for the protection from penalty and prosecution.

Breaches of your tenancy agreement that are not specifically covered by this amnesty, such as illegal or antisocial behaviour, will be dealt with under FACS’ normal policy.

To find out more and for a list of frequently asked questions, visit the website:

http://www.housing.nsw.gov.au/social-housing/tenant-amnesty-2017

Emergency 000 Police Assistance Line 131 444 Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000

Local Police Stations:

Campbelltown 4620 1199 Fairfield 9728 8399 Green Valley 9607 1799 Liverpool 9821 8444 Macquarie Fields 9605 0499

FACS: 1800 422 322

Bankstown 8713 4600 Campbelltown 4629 3222 Fairfield 9754 6800 Liverpool 9821 6022 Macquarie Fields 9829 0888 Miller 9825 7888

Local Councils:

Camden 4654 7777 Campbelltown 4645 4000 Fairfield 9725 0222 Liverpool 1300 36 2170 Wingecarribee 4868 0888 Wollondilly 4677 1100

1800 656 463 Macarthur Legal 4628 2042 Community Justice Centre 1800 990 777 Bonnie Support Services 9729 0939 Ombudsman NSW 1800 451 524 NSW Fair Trading 13 32 20

KIDS SWRTA would like to thank everyone who entered our

Design your own Easter Egg Competition! We had an overwhelming number of entries!

This months competition was extremely hard to judge as we had so many amazing entries!

Watch this space for our next competition!

Congratulations to our winner, 11 year old Violet-Rose!

Below is a photo of all of the entries displayed in our office!