b'CEOs ReportThe recent rise in the cost of living has been dramatic. For those already struggling to make ends meet, this year has taken an even greater toll.Were committed to ensuring people across theIn September 2021 we underwent organisation-states we work in have access to stable housing,wide accreditation. In addition to meeting the mental health support, emergency relief, familystandards, we achieved commendations in three violence services and the ongoing assistance theyareas: strategy and planning, service agreements need to get through these difficult times. Theseand partnerships and quality management. The are also significant social justice challenges. areas are of high priority for us to deliver quality Providing access to affordable and safe services and highlight our strength in working with housing continues to be a top priority fora diverse range of partners. Our fantastic results Uniting. Secure housing is the foundation forin the accreditation process are thanks to the people to live healthy and dignified lives andexceptional work of our employees and volunteers.address any issues they may experience. Thank you to the Board and the Uniting Church Low affordability combined with low housingSynod of Victoria and Tasmania for their ongoing supply is creating critical situations across thesupport and leadership. We are hopeful about country. We have partnered with both levels ofthe opportunities ahead, across the broad range government and have committed $20 million ofof services we offer, as we respond to changing our own funding to help build 500 new affordableconsumer needs and expectations.housing projects across Victoria and TasmaniaTogether, we will continue to be there forover the next five years. people in their time of need and advocate to We continue to build strong partnerships withcreate real change for the most vulnerable inother organisations to help extend the impact ofour communities.our work. Partnerships are a central pillar to the success of what we do.Our new alcohol and other drugs (AOD) youth residential rehabilitation facility in Gippsland has been the result of years of work with theBronwyn Pike local Aboriginal Co-operative and the VictorianChief Executive OfficerGovernment to address a long-standing need in the region.We also partnered with the UnitingCare networkOur leadership to deliver the Escaping Violence Payment. We are the lead agency in this nationwide alliance, helping people across Australia to lead safer lives, free of violence. The Federal Government has committed an extra $240 million to extend the program another three years.And because of a partnership with Launch Housing, a new Family Supportive Housing Project will open in Dandenong. Launch Housing will manage the facility to provide safe, stable and long-term housing for women and children who have experienced family violence. Once safely housed, we will provide support by linking them with appropriate services to help address mental health, financial and parenting challenges.'