Your Home Newsletter June 2025

"Being involved means we get a say in our future"

Tenant participation is a powerful way to contribute to your local community and create change – now and into

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 the future. Here, Vanessa shares her story.

When Homes NSW invited tenants in Bellambi, a suburb of Wollongong in the Illawarra region of NSW, to share their ideas for the future of the local area, Vanessa was at every consultation.

Volunteering is in Vanessa’s DNA, and she believes real change can happen when tenants get involved. Vanessa is passionate about making sure other public housing tenants feel comfortable to share their thoughts. “Being involved means we get a say in our future,” she says.

For Vanessa, Bellambi isn’t just a place she lives, it’s her community and support system. “I’ve been through challenges like domestic violence and mental health struggles, but now I’m in a place where I can help others,” she shares.

As a mother of 9, she has a busy household, but that doesn’t stop her from giving back. Five days a week, Vanessa dedicates her time to volunteering. She’s the president of her local school’s P&C, vice president of the local football club, and volunteers at the Bellambi Neighbourhood Centre – a place that once helped her through tough times.

Vanessa’s efforts show how getting involved and supporting one another can lead to personal triumph and meaningful change in the community.

Minister's message

Dear resident,

It’s been a big start to the year for Homes NSW. As we approach the halfway mark of 2025, we know there’s still more to do. We’re working hard to make your home safer, more comfortable, and better connected to the services you need. That means improving maintenance, providing more support, and creating new ways for you to have a say to shape the future of public housing.

Thank you to everyone who shared feedback on our Homes for NSW discussion paper, attended engagement activities, or participated in local Neighbourhood Advisory Board meetings.

Improving tenant satisfaction is a key focus. We don’t want it to feel like a box-ticking exercise. Your voice matters. If you’re interested in getting more involved, joining a tenant participation group is a great way to help build stronger, more connected communities.

We know it takes time and effort to contribute. My priority is ensuring your feedback drives real change — especially on maintenance. Getting repairs done properly and on time is vital. Every piece of feedback — positive or negative — helps us improve.

Homes NSW has made strong progress in just one year, but there’s still a long way to go. We’re listening, learning and committed to supporting you.

Warm regards,
Rose Jackson
Minister for Housing and Homelessness

Owning pets in public housing

Caring for a pet can bring such joy to your life, and it’s been shown to be good for mental health and wellbeing. If

 you’re thinking about getting a pet – or already have one – here are some tips to help.

Make sure your home suits your pet

The Homes NSW property you live in should also be suitable for your chosen pet. There are rules around the type of dog you can own – restricted dogs (as defined by the Companion Animal Act 1998) or those declared dangerous are not allowed.

Microchip your animal

It’s your responsibility to ensure your pet can be correctly identified (through microchip and collar with your contact details) and is registered with your local council or similar.

Take care of your pet (and your neighbours)

Pets are allowed so long as they are not interfering with the reasonable peace, comfort and privacy of your neighbours. A well-behaved pet is less likely to cause problems with neighbours, so do your best to train and exercise your animal – you’ll benefit from this too! If you have a dog, always use a leash when outside.

Make your home pet friendly

Create a safe and comfy space for your pet. Give them a cozy place to sleep, toys to play with and plenty of positive attention.

Happy pet parenting!

How to save $$ on your electricity bills

As temperatures drop, electricity bills can soar. Being prepared and managing your energy usage during winter can have a positive impact on your energy bills and the environment.

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Use off-peak periods

If your energy plan has an off-peak rate, run appliances during these times to pay less for your electricity use. You can find out more about your bill and if you’re getting the best value by calling your energy provider.

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Heat your body (not your bedroom)

Fuzzy socks, flannelette sheets, hot water bottles and extra blankets on the bed or couch are simple ways to stay warm and reduce your reliance on heaters.

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Soak in the sunlight

Direct sunlight into your home during the day can help warm your space. To retain warmth once the sun sets, close your blinds or curtains. This prevents drafts and heat from escaping through windows.

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More great energy tips

For more great energy and cost-saving tips, visit energy.nsw.gov.au

e-Bikes and scooters – are you at risk?

Lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes and scooters are the fastest growing fire risk in NSW. Protect your family and home from potential risk with these guidelines to charge safely:

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Be alert when charging

Don't charge when you're asleep

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Disconnect when full

Once the battery is full, disconnect it from the charger.

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Charge on hard surfaces

Charge batteries on hard surfaces like concrete or tiles. Make sure that there’s nothing around it that could catch on fire.

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Charge in open areas and have smoke alarms

Don’t charge in or near living spaces like bedrooms or living rooms. Charge in an open area like a garage or shed, away from exits. Make sure you always have a working smoke alarm.

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Use the correct charger

Always use the charger that came with your device. Just because the plug fits, it doesn’t mean it’s compatible.

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Buy known brands

Buy known brands with the Australian Regulatory Compliance Mark tick.

For more information, please see Fire and Rescue's page on Lithium-ion battery safety.

Plant some colour this winter

Fragrant herbs and colourful flowers are a great way to add some colour to your home in winter. Choosing varieties that do well in pots means you can turn a windowsill or outdoor area into a thriving micro garden.

Start small: Seeds and seedlings are the cheapest way to start a garden, but they do need to be planted into pots. Use good-quality potting mix and check growing instructions for the best spot to put your plants. You must also use a tray or saucer for pot plants on balconies, verandas and

paved areas to protect the surface from water damage.

Growing gardens: If your home has a garden that is not part of a common area, you can plant flowers, shrubs or trees that will grow to no more than 3 metres. These plants should not have invasive roots or other toxic qualities. You can also build garden beds – they must be more than one metre from any buildings – and take your gardening to the next level with a compost bin or worm farm.

Common goals: Common area gardens are planted and maintained by Homes NSW for everyone’s enjoyment. If you live in one of these properties and have a green thumb, think about joining a local community garden. It’s a great way to meet new people and share your love of plants!

Recommended plants

Coastal Rosemary
– ideal for coastal areas

Rusty Spider-flower
– grows well out west

Native clematis
– evergreen climber for fences or pergolas.

Homes NSW is now on nsw.gov.au

You may have noticed our website looks a bit different now – all information about social housing has moved to

 nsw.gov.au.

Visit us online to:

• lodge payments, maintenance requests and feedback via MyHousing Online Services
• find your local housing office
• learn more about your rights and responsibilities
• use the ‘language’ feature to translate information instantly.

Contact us