Placemaking Case Studies

Karlie attributes Hume’s success primarily to two elements: consistent presence in communities and robust partnerships with local agencies, residents, and the wider community. Hume understands that community development requires a collaborative approach not only with customers and community but with local service and support partners.

Youth Engagement

Hume’s Maitland team have partnered with a local provider to engage youth through sports and crafts in local parks. This approach offered a positive, proactive means to interact with families, transcending beyond mere responses to ASB complaints. Although the initiative’s sustainability hinged on external funding, its impact was tangible, with residents noting a perceptible difference in community atmosphere.

Enforcement

Beyond traditional enforcement, Hume adopted a multi-agency approach, ensuring referrals and proactive support for residents. This balanced strategy aimed at prevention and intervention, reducing the need for tribunals and fostering a supportive environment for community issues and tenancy sustainment.

Seniors Hubs

Activities for residents over 65, facilitated in partnership with Catholic Care in local community spaces, have been instrumental in engaging the elderly population. These hubs, providing cost-free participation, aim to transition into more customer-led platforms, reflecting Hume’s commitment to inclusive community spaces. Hume acknowledges that isolation and loneliness is most prevalent for our older customers and has a significant impact on health. Our Senior Hubs programs have resulted in reducing these challenges.

RIKI – Rent It. Keep It

In partnership with Carrie’s Place, this program supports tenancy sustainment, offering guidance on housing applications, tenancy initiation, and sustainable living. Its high engagement rates underscore its effectiveness in educating residents about tenancy management.  Ensuring communities can gain skills necessary to sustain their tenancy and participate in their community is critical in community development and place making.

Your Voice

The evolution from Tenants Voice engagement sessions to Hume’s customer newsletter Humelife Magazine, marks Hume’s initiative to foster a two-way dialogue with residents, ensuring their voices shape community engagement strategies.

Safety Awareness

Recognising the unique risks for properties adjacent to bushlands, Hume has conducted well-received fire safety sessions, prioritising resident safety and preparedness. These forums were coordinated by Karlie and her team and assisted over 55s in difficult property care such as gutter cleans and rubbish removal to ensure plans to stay safe could be achieved.

Reconciliation Action Plans

These plans are a testament to Hume’s commitment to resident empowerment, decision-making, and fostering inclusive communities where everyone’s voice is heard and valued.

Tenancy Sustainment Coordinators and Community Cohesion Officers

Karlie emphasises the importance of not just having tenancy staff in communities but ensuring their presence is consistent, positive, and stable. Overcoming challenges in staff stability has been a focal point for fostering trust and effectiveness in community engagement. The addition of Tenancy Sustainment Officers provides an internal referral to support coordination for tenancies at risk or customers experiencing challenging times and requiring support. The Community Cohesion is underpinned by an asset building and place making approach, with customers participation valued at every stage, from implementation to delivery.

Training and Development

Staff undergo rigorous and frequent training in crucial areas such as mental health first aid, hoarding, property conditions, and fire safety, equipping them with the necessary skills to address complex community issues effectively.

New Structural Approach

Starting from February 5th, Hume is trialling a new structure that increases their staff to tenant ratio and provides more consistent and meaningful service delivery  This holistic approach aims to improve property and community management by providing customers with a single point of contact and creating more manageable portfolios and improving both customer and staff experience.

Best Practices and Collaboration

Hume actively participates in a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with multiple housing associations and peak bodies in the NSW area. This collaboration focuses on sharing best practices, learning from each other, and delivering more cohesive and effective results.