b"Chairs ReportCEOs ReportThe cost of living and affordable housing crisis has created a perfectIn these challenging and uncertain times the work we do at Unitingstorm, and record levels of demand for our services. Our peopleis needed more than ever.continue to go above and beyond to meet these challenges.We know more people are being plunged into88 per cent of people felt we treated them This year weve implemented a new GroupCongress in acknowledging the generoushomelessness, while rising rents, food and energywith dignity and respect and 86 per cent felt Governance model which brings Uniting Housinginvitation from First Nations people to the prices push others to the brink, leading many towelcomed, accepted and safe to be open and in as a subsidiary of Uniting Vic.Tas. We nowpeople of Australia. reach out to us for helpoften for the first time. honest. These responses show that Uniting, and have common members across our Boards.Weve seen homelessness numbers double inour workforce, are living our values: imaginative, This will deliver a more streamlined governanceI want to acknowledge and thank my fellowsome areas, with demand for our Emergencyrespectful, compassionate and bold.structure and approval process, and a moreBoard Directors for their vision and commitmentRelief services up by as much as 70 per cent.Were proud to be strengthening our relationships integrated service delivery to residents. We thankto Unitings work, particularly retiring Directoracross the breadth of the Uniting Church. More the outgoing Uniting Housing Board membersHeather Watson. Id also like to welcome DavidOur advocacy work addresses disadvantage andthan 80 congregations partner with us to serve for their service and remarkable contribution. Cant, former Uniting Housing Chair, along withvulnerability at a systemic level by campaigningtheir communities. We work closely with the new Directors Mark Rearick and Jessica Hateley- for public policy and attitudinal change.Synod on matters of governance and strategy. Access to housing that is affordable, safe andBrowne, who join our Boards. Late last year, we published the researchOur leaders regularly meet with the leadershipsecure is essential to supporting peoples healthMy thanks to our supporters and volunteers forreport Cant Afford to Live in partnership withof Synod and each presbytery to promote mutual and wellbeing and strengthening personal,their tireless efforts and contributions to UnitingSwinburne University. We surveyed people onunderstanding of mission and partnerships. family and community connections.and their local communities. low incomes and income support across VictoriaAt a national level, we join with UnitingCare Thanks to a significant team effort, were well Finally, I want to thank our CEO Bronwyn Pikeand Tasmania, and they told us the cost of livingAustralia to help confront injustice and advocate on course with our strategy, and realisingand her team for their leadership and resolvewas having a devastating impact, not only onfor policies and resources which enable greater housing solutions on the ground. We recentlyto confront injustice and support the mosthousehold budgets, but also on their mentalcompassion and fairness.opened new affordable housing units invulnerable in our community. health and wellbeing.A big thank you to our staff and volunteersyour Sunshine, with works underway on a 44-unitThere needs to be a permanent increase of thehard work and dedication continues to inspire me.development at Wangaratta and plans for a level of income support above the poverty line, as 73-unit development at Bendigo. Our board andwell as greater investment in community services Uniting Group under Bronwyn Pike's leadershipJude Munro AO particularly social and affordable housing, have an appetite for even more growth. Board Chair, Uniting Vic.Tas, Uniting Housingemergency relief and mental healthso were Its been exciting to visit our sites this past year,Victoria and Uniting Housing Australia able to respond to current and future needs. including seeing the work of our Gippsland andUniting continues to evolve in response toBronwyn Pike Dandenong teams. I look forward to more visitsOur leadershipchanging community expectations, funding andChief Executive Officer, in the coming year and inviting congregations policy changes and work to deliver our strategy.Uniting Group to join us in these visits. We made the difficult decisions to exit some Were proud to have received the prestigiousservices, including two Supported IndependentOur leadership Gold Tier Award in the 2023 Health andLiving houses and our NDIS Support Coordination. Wellbeing Equality Indexwhich recognisesFor many years, weve been a strong advocate our commitment to being an inclusive employerfor the therapeutic care model for young people for the LGBTIQA+ community. We also receivedin residential out-of-home care as this model the Service Provider of the Year Award whichdelivers the best outcomes. For this reason, we underlines our commitment to providing a safedecided to move away from operating homes not and inclusive work environment. contracted to provide therapeutic care. Although sadly, there wasnt enough support inWeve also expanded our programs and services. the referendum, were proud to have supportedWeve added new Early Learning services, new the Yes vote. We listened to our First Nationspartnerships to deliver Adult Mental Health and workforce who told us of the importance ofWellbeing Locals and new Op Shops opening Uniting standing as an ally in the push foraround Victoria. constitutional recognition and a Voice to Parliament. We stood with the Uniting ChurchThis year we held our first organisation-wide and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christianconsumer experience survey. It revealed that 4 Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report"