News and Updates

News and Updates

 

STELLAR LIVING SUPPORTS THE VOICE

The Board of Stellar Living has joined many other community organisation in supporting the referendum proposal to recognise First Nations people in the Constitution with a Voice to Parliament.

Stellar Living works in partnership with Indigenous organisations to deliver our values of Care and Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, Innovation, Acceptance and Excellence in the community housing sector. 

For the first time, the referendum asks Australians to recognise the First Nations People of Australia in the Constitution – our founding document – by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice made up of representatives from across the country. The Voice will be an advisory body to both Parliament and the Executive – the arm of government where public servants make policies and deliver services to the community. 

We urge all Australians to ensure that they are properly informed on the Voice proposal. 

If you would like further information on the Voice please go to:

http://voice.gov.au/resources/fact-sheet-referendum-question-and-constitutional-admendment

 

SAD FAREWELL

It is with great sadness that Stellar Living announce the passing of our friend, colleague and Board member Steve Walker after a relatively short illness. The entire Stellar Living family mourns this loss. On behalf of our Board of Directors, management team and employees, we extend our deepest sympathies to Steve’s family. Steve brought his remarkable passion, experience and energy into the Community Housing Sector. 

Steve was the inaugural Chief Executive Officer and one of the founding directors, and key driving force behind the company. But much more than that, he was a great friend and a wonderful man. He was appointed CEO in 2010 and remained in that role until 2019. During this period, Stellar Living grew substantially, providing social housing for hundreds of West Australians. Stellar Living currently has 262 properties under management that house 626 people with a tenant satisfaction rate of 89%. It has assets of over $40 million and is in the process of developing more social housing in Byford and Rockingham. Steve’ interest and commitment saw him remain a member of the Board of Stellar Living after leaving his post as CEO. His experience and knowledge of finance and community housing were highly regarded at Board meetings. He remained on the Board of Stellar Living until he passed a few weeks ago. We acknowledge the contribution made by Steve to the organisation and note the deep respect he has earned throughout the Community Housing Sector. 

Steve had time for everyone and was always engaged with and interested in the people he met. In addition, he had a great intellect and was forever learning new things and developing new ideas. He brought those personal qualities (not to mention his vast experience in business) to Stellar Living and we owe him a great debt. 

Steve made many lasting friendships built on mutual respect and commitment to the cause of social and community wellbeing. His unflagging generosity, professionalism, good humour and substantial contribution to the work and the development of Stellar Living will always be remembered and be a significant part of the Stellar Living story and the lives of those of us who knew him. 

 

CLIENT, VISITOR AND CONTRACTOR INFORMATION FOR COVID-19 (March 2022)

In light of the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic, Stellar Living wishes to assure you that we will continue to operate, and we are here to support you through this. We will endeavour to support all clients impacted by COVID-19 to manage rent payments, arrears and non-rent payments by reviewing your situation, putting in place reasonable payment plans, and not seeking eviction. 

Stellar Living will prioritise the health and wellbeing of our Staff, Clients, Visitors, and Contractors as directives from the Australian Health Department continue to inform how we address your needs. 

This means that at times our service will need to adapt and adjust as the best of medical information is presented to our team. We understand that at times, changes in our procedure may cause stress and inconvenience. 

As a result, we request your understanding and patience in this regard so that we can get the best possible outcomes to address your needs. 

The current requirements apply:

• Face masks must be always worn indoors.
• Inspections will continue to be scheduled in and completed.
• We request that you wear a mask or wait outside the property while we complete inspections. 
• Please let us know if you have Covid or are a close contact prior to us coming to your property.
• Vacant property inspections and new client property showings will continue.
• The office will remain closed for walk ins. Please make an appointment. 
• Masks are to be worn during meetings with clients. 
• Please sign in using the WA Service app when entering the office. 

Repairs and maintenance:

• all Urgent repairs and maintenance works (including internal works within the properties) will proceed as normal provided the tenant is happy for contractors to attend. 
• Tenants may be asked a COVID questionnaire by contractors that requests general information regarding COVID restrictions and also PPE wearing.
• non-urgent repairs and maintenance works that are external to the property will also proceed as normal and contractors will phone Clients to make contact rather than knocking on their doors; and 
• Some maintenance may be delayed as a results of shortages with contractors and building material. 

Stellar Living’s priortity at this time is to ensure that all of our Clients sustain their homes. We know that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, having a home has never been more important. So paying your rent is an important step in maintaining your home. If you are having rent taken out through Centrelink deductions, this will not change. If your circumstances change, please talk to your Property Officer to organise a rent review. 

For our social housing Clients, where rent is assessed based on income, we will not include any Special Payments linked to Covid 19. This means many Clients will have more money in their household budget to meet expenses whilst continuing to pay social housing rent. 

Important notice to Clients, Visitors and Contractors

Stellar Living has created an extension to our Business Continuity Plan that outlines the Process and Policy for responding to COVID-19. We will continue to review the situation and provide updates as required to our staff, tenants and contractors about the changing situation and their responsibilities. 

What are we asking you to do?

Please call the office in advance to make an appointment if you need to visit us. 

Please ensure that you continue to pay your rent and if you are in arrears, call your Property Officer to make arrangements to pay these off. 

Be patient if maintenance can not be completed as quickly as you would like. 

 

YOUR RENT AND THE LAST 12 MONTHS

During the period 30 March 2020 to 28 March 2021 Stellar Living only completed Eligibility and Rent Reviews where we became aware of changes in Household Circumstances. For instance, a new partner moved into the property with you. 

Stellar Living is pleased to announce that any eligibility and rent reviews that took place and resulted in an increase in rent during the period 30 March 2020 to 28 March 2021 have now had their rent account credited for any increase during that period. This includes if your rent went up because you had an increase in your household income. 

That means that none of our tenants had to pay extra rent during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic and hopefully that assisted those tenants who may have been experiencing financial hardship during the year. 

If you think your rent increased during this period and you have not received a letter, then please contact your Property Officer. 

 

NOTICE TO TENANTS: Current 4-day Circuit-breaker Lockdown – update (June/July 2021)

As a response to the current 4-day circuit-breaker lockdown, our staff are currently working from home. A reminder that masks will be mandatory in Perth and Peel area.

We will still be operating throughout this period as normally as possible. You may still phone or email us and be assured that we will deliver the best service we can in these circumstances.

Phone Thornlie:       (08) 9452 9200

Phone Mandurah:   (08) 9535 7311

After Hours Emergency Maintenance:   1800 125 430

Email:  enquiries@stellarliving.com.au

At this moment in time, we will only be able to do emergency maintenance work during this lockdown period. An assessment will be made as to the nature of the work required but we will make every effort to ensure your home remains safe for you. 

Non urgent maintenance work will be put on hold until we are notified that the lockdown is over. 

If you have any concerns or if we can help with anything, please do not hesitate to contact us on the above numbers or email enquiries@stellarliving.com.au .

If you are experiencing noise nuisance or anti-social behaviour problems with a neighbour (who is a Stellar Living tenant), then please let us know but also inform the police or/and the Rangers. We will try to resolve the issue with the resources we have available. 

 

NOTICE TO TENANTS: Current 5-day Lockdown – update (February 2021)

As a response to the current 5-day lockdown, our staff are currently working from home.

We will still be operating throughout this period as normally as possible. You may still phone or email us and be assured that we will deliver the best service we can in these circumstances.

Phone Thornlie:       (08) 9452 9200

Phone Mandurah:   (08) 9535 7311

After Hours Emergency Maintenance:   1800 125 430

Email:  enquiries@stellarliving.com.au

At this moment in time, we will only be able to do emergency maintenance work during this lockdown period. An assessment will be made as to the nature of the work required but we will make every effort to ensure your home remains safe for you. 

Non urgent maintenance work will be put on hold until we are notified that the lockdown is over. 

If you have any concerns or if we can help with anything, please do not hesitate to contact us on the above numbers or email enquiries@stellarliving.com.au .

If you are experiencing noise nuisance or anti-social behaviour problems with a neighbour (who is a Stellar Living tenant), then please let us know but also inform the police or/and the Rangers. We will try to resolve the issue with the resources we have available. 

 

NOTICE TO TENANTS: Covid 19 response payment – update (April 2020)

Stellar’s top priority is the health and wellbeing of our tenants, employees, and stakeholders. Our priority is ensuring that all our tenants sustain their homes at this current time. We understand that throughout the pandemic, having a home has never been more important. 

• It is extremely important that tenants continue to pay their rent.
• If you are struggling to pay your rent as a result of health and/or financial impacts of the coronavirus health event, you must contact us. We will work with you to tailor arrangements based on your individualised needs.
• All State or Federal one-off payments or increases to statutory payments in response to COVID-19 will not be included in eligibility assessments for social housing.
• All State or Federal one-off payments or increases to statutory payments in response to COVID-19 will not be included as assessible income for rent calculation purposes. 
• This means many tenants will have more money in their household budget to meet expenses whilst continuing to pay a social housing rent. 
• If you have any questions, please call our office on 9452 9200 .

 

Keeping you informed – Stellar Living update (March 2020)

As a responsible landlord, Stellar Living is paying close attention to current community concerns surrounding the Covid-19. In an effort to keep staff and tenants safe, we have closed the office for an indefinite period. We will still be operating throughout this period, and you may still phone or email us and be assured that we will deliver the best service we can in the circumstances. 

Phone Thornlie:   (08) 9452 9200

Phone Mandurah:   (08) 9535 7311

After Hours Emergency Maintenance:   1800 125 430

Email: enquiries@stellarliving.com.au

Stellar Living has put in place a range of precautionary measures and we request your assistance as outlined below:

1. If you are expecting staff or contractors to your property but are ill or must self-isolate, please let staff and contractors know in advance if you are so they know not to enter your property.
2. Non-essential / routine maintenance may be postponed during these periods as we do not want the contractor doing unnecessary visits to multiple properties and increasing your risk and their risk (contractor and tenants) of exposure to Covid-19.
3. If a formal lock down or quarantine is put into place, we will only be able to do emergency work. An assessment will be made as to the nature of the work required but we will make every effort to ensure your home remains safe for you.
4. Please be patient during these trying times and if you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact us on the above numbers or email enquiries@stellarliving.com.au .

If you are experiencing noise nuisance or anti-social behaviour problems with a neighbour who is a Stellar living tenant, then please let us know but also let the police know or/and the Rangers. We will try to resolve the issue with the resources we have available. 

 

Our new CEO is announced

Stellar Living’s Board of Directors has announced that the organisation’s Chief Executive Officer, Kathryn Moorey, will succeed Steve Walker as its CEO following his retirement in December. 

Kathryn has worked at Stellar Living for the past 9 months in the role of General Manager. Kathryn brings with her over 25 years’ experience in social housing and will continue the legacy established by Steve since Stellar Living’s inception 11 years ago. 

Kathryn says her focus as CEO will be on ensuring Stellar Living remains a Community Housing Provider of choice whilst continuing to actively pursue growth opportunities to ensure more community housing is delivered for those in need. Kathryn will steer a range of Board endorsed strategies to achieve growth while also advancing customer service and tenant engagement strategies to ensure tenants remain at the center of all that the organisation does. 

As well as warmly congratulating Kathryn on her appointment, Stellar Living’s Board have acknowledged the contribution made by Steve to the organisation as its inaugural CEO and note the deep respect he has earned throughout the community housing sector. Steve has been one of the inspiring community housing leaders that has grown the sector significantly in the last decade.