ANNUAL REPORT 2013-2014
FROM THE CHAIRPERSON Habitat for Humanity Western Australia Inc. Annual Report 2013-2014 Since joining the board of Habitat for Humanity WA in September 2013 there have been several changes in the composition of the board. A special thank you to past Directors, Kirsten Rose, Michelle Coelho, Tim Calnan and Peter Arcus for their valued contribution to the Board and the work of Habitat for Humanity WA. I also recognise the magnificent contribution of Peter Preece (former Director and Advisor) who has retired after decades of active involvement with both Habitat for Humanity Australia (Habitat Australia) and Habitat for Humanity WA (Habitat WA). Peter was instrumental in the formation and development of Habitat WA. No individual has done more over such a long period of time to establish and promote Habitat WA and there is no doubt that Habitat WA and Habitat Australia would not be where they are today without the support and involvement of Peter and his wife Jennie. Rebecca Pedlow-Collins joined the board as a Director in October 2013 and we have been fortunate to secure the services of Kate Brain in the capacity of part time administration bringing many skills and competencies to the organisation. Diane van der Velde continues to serve as our admin/accounting volunteer, while Pam Seymour supports volunteer management. We have worked with our Goldfields and South West Chapters to complete a restructure process and we are very lucky to have such dedicated volunteers willing to support us in the regions. Following our successful relationship with Landcorp we have successfully achieved a similar generous relationship with the Department of Housing for the procurement of land. We are now entering a most exciting stage of our development in Western Australia with building approval granted for the Seville Grove build with construction expected to commence later this year and further builds planned in the Goldfields and the South West. We have been encouraged too, by a renewed emphasis on the Australian Domestic Programme by our national organisation Habitat Australia. In closing I wish to acknowledge the contribution of all Board Members, staff and volunteers and especially thank Graeme Carty the previous Chairman and current Vice Chairman for this assistance and support throughout the year. Habitat relies heavily on the generosity of both volunteers and corporate sponsorship and to that end the Board is looking forward to another year of support, strengthening relationships in building long term partnerships with all the "friends" of Habitat for Humanity Western Australia. Dianne Guise Date: 1 st October, 2014 Page 2 of 8
Habitat for Humanity Western Australia Inc. Annual Report 2013-2014 OUR VISION To help create opportunities for families to achieve home ownership and a safe, decent and affordable place to live. To build homes, hope, and a community. OUR MISSION To build partnerships between families, volunteers and sponsors to enable families to achieve home ownership when they would otherwise not be able to do so. OUR VALUES Ethics and Integrity - Partnership Professionalism Sustainability Dignity OUR STORY Habitat for Humanity Western Australia (HFHWA) is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity Australia (HFHA) which in turn forms part of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI). Worldwide HFHI has completed over 850,000 homes primarily in the USA, Africa and Asia where building regulations and associated costs are minimal compared to those in Australia. HFHWA s focus is on providing affordable home ownership for families who are unable to financially support a traditional commercial mortgage and are left with no alternative other than long term rentals. To the best of our ability we build the home with the partner family in recognition of specific family requirements. Each successful family is required to lodge a minimal deposit and engage in 500 hours of sweat equity throughout the build. HFHWA further provides an interest free period during which the partner family has the opportunity to establish substantial equity in preparation for a commercial retail mortgage. At all times HFHWA works with the family to ensure they are managing the responsibilities of home ownership including such items as rates, insurance, maintenance etc. Page 3 of 8
THE BOARD Habitat for Humanity Western Australia Inc. Annual Report 2013-2014 The Board meets each month in the Beyond Bank (formally United Community) office in Subiaco. Our thanks to Beyond Bank for making space available to us. We would also like to thank Kellie Hill Consulting for the continuing generosity of providing rent free office space for our administration. The Affiliate recognises and celebrates the contribution of our Patrons Hon. Richard Court and Hon. Kay Hallahan as well as Directors, past and present. We live in a notoriously time-poor age and the time they have all committed to the ministry of Habitat in WA is immense and impressive. CURRENT DIRECTORS Top Row: Dianne Guise (Chairperson), Graeme Carty (Vice Chairman), Kim Chance (Director), Von Bromilow (Director). Bottom Row: Luke Willcock (Director), Rebecca Pedlow-Collins (Director), Darren Smith (Secretary) PAST DIRECTORS Tim Calnan, Michelle Coelho, Peter Arcus, Kirsten Rose and Peter Preece Page 4 of 8
COMMITTEE STRUCTURES Committees were formed in November 2013 and are as follows: Habitat for Humanity Western Australia Inc. Annual Report 2013-2014 - Land and Building Committee Chair Luke Willcock, Members Rebecca Pedlow-Collins, Volunteers. - Governance Committee Chair Tim Calnan, Members Graeme Carty, Dianne Guise. - Family and Volunteers Committee Chair Von Bromilow, Members Darren Smith. Each Committee has a Charter with specific roles and responsibilities and meet on a regular basis and report to the board recommendations on key aspects of their portfolios. MEMBERS AND VOLUNTEERS As of 30 June 2014 there were 14 Members of HFHWA, 2 Friends of Habitat for Humanity WA and many volunteers registered on the database. Again, we wish to express our thanks to the many wonderful people who volunteer their time, offer Gifts in Kind or make donations to support our work in the community. FUNDRAISING AND CORPORATE SUPPORT The Board continues to be encouraged by the number and quality of recognised WA organisations which have expressed an interest in participating in corporate volunteer days on site. LAND Following our successful negations and relationship with LandCorp we have been fortunate to secure a similar arrangement with the Department of Housing for the provision of land. Recent negotiations have concluded with the purchase of a duplex site in Bunbury which will be cleared and prepared for construction in the near future. Page 5 of 8
BUILDING Habitat for Humanity Western Australia Inc. Annual Report 2013-2014 During the 2013/2014 financial year planning continued for the construction of our next build in Seville Grove. GOVERNANCE, PLANNING AND PROCESS 6 RENDELL ELBOW, WITHERS (ARIEL PHOTO 11 APRIL 2014) In preparation for the next phase of HFHWA the board with the assistance of external consultants continued to review and update all policies and procedures relating to insurance, Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and agreements between HFHWA and HFHA. This review also included formalisation of Chapter Committees with the Goldfields and South West. Page 6 of 8
Habitat for Humanity Western Australia Inc. Annual Report 2013-2014 FAMILY SERVICES Our new partner family, the Bor s are eagerly awaiting the commencement of the build at Seville Grove. They are going to be a great family to work with and are very keen to assist in the building process. This family will be the first to take on the new 5-year Equity Building Tenancy Agreement. BOR FAMILY RELATIONS WITH HFHA AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL HFHWA continues to work closely with HFHA and welcome newly appointed CEO Martin Thomas and Australian Programme Manager Matt Bradhurst. The focus of Habitat for Humanity of Australia is to ensure a strong domestic program. Page 7 of 8
Habitat for Humanity Western Australia Inc. Annual Report 2013-2014 CONCLUSION In summary 2013/2014 was a year of consolidation to further develop and implement systems, policies and procedures to provide for a successful long term sustainable organisation that can again concentrate on our main aim putting families into homes. DONORS AND SPONSORS: We are as always indebted to and very grateful for the support of all our partners and sponsors. A special thank you goes to Kellie Hill Consulting, Beyond Bank (formally United Community) and Hugh Ravening for supply of office and meeting space at no cost Beyond Bank Australia for suppling board room space for monthly meetings. Moore Stephens for Auditing and Accounting Advice LandCorp and the Department of Housing for working with HFHWA to develop and provide a deferred payment model ABN Foundation for ongoing support for our planning and builds Bankwest for the generous funding facility Sceales and Company LotteryWest All our wonderful Volunteers that helped out during the year Page 8 of 8