Orana partnership helps women and children escaping family and domestic violence

July 30, 2020

Foundation Housing has recently expanded its partnership with domestic violence support agency Orana House with the addition of another property to the organisation’s transitional housing accommodation program.  It takes the number of homes Orana has under management with Foundation Housing to three.

The modern three-bed house is close to public transport, shops and schools and will be a safe and comfortable place to stay for a family escaping domestic and family violence.  Orana House staff will provide holistic support to the family while Foundation Housing will manage the property and administer the tenancy. The home is part of Foundation Housing’s managed property portfolio which is a specialised arm of the organisation’s operations that provides a property management service to other organisations also focused on social good.

Orana House’s general manager, Mel Rowe said, “We have worked with Foundation Housing for two years and have appreciated how  well they have managed the homes we use for our clients for whom safety and trust is so critical.  Their staff understand our priorities and are very supportive of our needs as an organisation dealing with very vulnerable and traumatised individuals.

Orana House is one of several Western Australian organisations that have engaged Foundation Housing to either manage their own housing portfolio or work in a partnership to access Department of Communities properties designated for specialised housing.  As the state’s largest wholly WA operated community housing provider, Foundation Housing offers economies of scale to property management which is delivered by caring staff who are sensitive to the complexities of dealing with tenants with special needs or difficult circumstances.

“We are very pleased this partnership has now presented an opportunity to increase our capacity to house families needing to escape domestic violence,” added Ms Rowe.

Jo Arthur who heads Foundation Housing’s managed property portfolio says working in partnership with organisations like Orana House to manage their client accommodation enabled those organisations to focus on their core mission and support their clients without needing to worry about issues such as property inspections, managing rents or arranging repairs.  “And they know that our staff will treat their clients with respect and kindness while supporting their goals around recovery or independence.

“We are a very committed team and we love to see the difference our work makes to people’s lives,” Jo said.