Here’s What You Need to Know…
Important update to Second Step Restrictions for Metropolitan Melbourne effective from 18 October 2020. Key points:
- Stay at home unless you are shopping for essential goods (align with public gathering requirements), care or caregiving, school or permitted work, exercise or social interaction must stay within 25km from home
- Face masks are mandatory, ensure you wear a face mask in public and in situations where you are unable to social distance. Face shields, bandanas and scarves are no longer sufficient. A face mask should cover the nose and mouth
- No interstate travel unless for permitted purposes
- Ten people from two households can meeting outdoors for sport or social interaction. Single person households or single parent households can have one nominated visitor. Face coverings must be worn and bubble cannot cross between metro and regional areas
- Stay within 25km of your home except for permitted reasons such as work or education if these cannot be done at home
- Health professionals will be able to resume routine face-to-face care
- Tennis courts, golf courses and outdoor swimming pools open
- Hairdressers to reopen
- Restaurants and cafes open for takeaway and delivery only
- Higher on the spot fines for breaching rules
Crisis Support
COVID-19 adds another level of stress, anxiety and loneliness to many Australians. Lifeline will be available right through the COVID-19 pandemic for any person who needs support. You can talk to a Crisis Supporter on 13 11 14 (24 hours / 7 days), or via text: 0477 13 11 14 (6pm – midnight AEDT, 7 nights) or online at www.lifeline.org.au (7pm – midnight AEDT, 7 nights).
Here’s What You Need to Know…
Key Points to Second Step Restrictions for Metropolitan Melbourne effective from 28 September 2020.
- Stay at home unless you are shopping for essential goods (align with public gathering requirements), care or caregiving, school or permitted work, exercise (2 hours per day within 5km from home)
- Curfew will be lifted from 5am 28 September 2020
- Face masks are mandatory, ensure you wear a face mask in public and in situations where you are unable to social distance. Face shields, bandanas and scarves are no longer sufficient
- No interstate travel unless for permitted purposes
- Five people from two households can meeting outdoors for social gathering. Single person households or single parent households can have one nominated visitor. Face coverings must be worn and bubble cannot cross between metro and regional areas
- Stay within 5km of your home except for permitted reasons such as work or education if these cannot be done at home
- Childcare will open from 28 September and schools will see a staged return to face-to-face learning
- Restaurants and cafes open for takeaway and delivery only
- Higher on the spot fines for breaching rules
Handy Hand Sanitisers
Check out the fixed hand sanitiser dispensers installed at some of the WHL Rooming Houses!
Another way WHL are helping our tenants to be COVIDSafe!
PowerHousing Affordable Housing Report
New report from PowerHousing shows stable 1st COVID-19 quarter for housing but harder times ahead.
Full report can be found here.
Good News Story!
Women’s Housing Limited are pleased to announce that National Housing Finance and Investment Commission (NHFIC) finalised its latest bond on 24 June 2020, with the funds supporting a loan to Women’s Housing Limited.
NHFIC funds loans to registered community housing providers. These low cost, long term loans assist to expand operations and the supply of social and affordable housing.
"This will be directed towards building new, safe homes for women. As an example of this benefit, we’ve been able to purchase seven one-bedroom units outright. Women are able to live in these units, paying 75% of the market rent, and we can afford to do this because of the lower borrowing costs with NHFIC." Judy Line, CEO Women's Housing Ltd.
Full article on the NHFIC website.
Crisis Support
COVID-19 adds another level of stress, anxiety and loneliness to many Australians. Lifeline will be available right through the COVID-19 for any person who needs support. You can talk to a Crisis Supporter on 13 11 14 (24 hours / 7 days), or via text: 0477 13 11 14 (6pm – midnight AEDT, 7 nights) or online at www.lifeline.org.au (7pm – midnight AEDT, 7 nights).
Further Assistance
There is no doubt we are facing some unprecedented times. For some Victorians, this may be the first-time they have experienced unemployment and/or financial hardship. There will be many who are not aware of what support they can access.
Women’s Housing Ltd is working hard to assist as many women as possible affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
If you are in rental arrears, need rent-in-advance funds for a new tenancy, or need general advice about housing services in your area, please contact our office on 9412 6868. Please note, we can only assist households with a single woman, women partnered with other women or women with children. ‘Women’ includes trans and non-binary women. Due to the current increase of requests for assistance, you may experience an increased wait-time for a return call or be asked to call back next week.
You can also download the AskIzzy app or visit www.askizzy.org.au to find local support services.
Please feel free to share this post with your friends and family, we don’t know who might need this information in the coming weeks/months. Take care of yourself and each other as we navigate these times together.
Tips on How to Protect Yourself from COVID-19
⇒ Make sure workspaces, benchtops and surfaces are clean and hygienic. Wipe down desks, tables and phones with disinfectant regularly.
⇒ Regular and thorough handwashing. Use hand sanitiser when unable to wash.
⇒ Open doors and windows to provide fresh air.
⇒ Promote good respiratory hygiene or cough etiquette. Cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing. Use tissues and throw them away. Wash your hands or use a hand sanitiser every time you touch your mouth or nose.
Change in How we do Business
Due to COVID-19 Women's Housing Ltd office doors are closed to visitors but we are still operating. Please call on 9412 6868 between 9am - 5pm so that we can assist with your call. Alternatively email info@womenshousing.com.au
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