Engagement and promotion of the survey
An online survey gave us the best chance of reaching tenants across more than 6,600 social homes in the Wollongong LGA.
To maximise community participation, we used several ways to promote the survey:
- a QR code on all printed materials that linked to the survey
- promotional postcards delivered to letterboxes
- posters and postcards displayed at key community venues
- face-to-face doorknocks with housing staff from the Department of Communities and Justice
- text messages with a link to the survey
- phone and email support
- partnerships and promotion with key community organisations.
How we collaborated with community
We took a trauma-informed approach that considered local sensitivities. This included:
- partnering with housing staff to knock on community doors so residents felt more at ease with familiar faces
- engaging with people in their own routines and safe spaces, for convenience, accessibility and comfort.
Responses to the survey
The Wollongong survey received 224 responses from social housing tenants. These responses will help inform future planning decisions related to housing.
The survey participants gave us key insights into their lived experience of:
- personal safety
- access to public transport
- access to community support and facilities
- proximity to local amenities
- inclusion of public space and infrastructure
- passive surveillance
- increased lighting
- different types of housing.
View the results
You can view the demographics and survey results in the Wollongong LGA social housing tenant survey engagement summary report.
Acknowledgments
Our thanks to:
- Wollongong City Council
- Aboriginal Housing Office
- Department of Communities and Justice
- Illawarra Housing Trust
- Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre
- Wollongong Homeless Hub and Housing Services
for their contributions to the success of this program.