The SouthEast Housing Co-operative (SEHC) is non-profit, community based co-operative responsible for managing 150 long term rental housing properties in the southern and eastern metropolitan area of Victoria – Clayton, Chelthenham, Oakleigh, Moorabbin, Bayswater, Mooroolbark, Ringwood, Frankston, Carrum Downs and Seaford.
SEHC leases rental properties from the Department of Human Services on a permanent basis under a head lease arrangement. The properties are sub-let to low income families and individuals that meet the Department of Human Services income and eligibility criteria. All tenants are members of the co-operative whose operation is guided by the Co-operations Act 1996.
The merger was motivated by two main factors:
1.A need for a more professional, cost-efficient and accountable organisation capable of surviving into the future, while securing housing for current and future members, and expanding the number of properties under its management.
2. The State Government’s decision to re-structure the community-housing sector, driven by the need for greater cost efficiency and accountability.
The merger of the co-operatives followed two years of difficult negotiations, and hard work by members and staff. Negotiations took place on two levels – between the participating co-operative’s membership and with the DHS.
The difficulty of merging three distinct co-operatives, each with cultures built up over 17 years, was problematic at times and will continue to be a challenge for the new board and staff members.
However, negotiations with the DHS proved more complex. The first major hurdle was convincing the DHS, under the previous government, that a co-operative structure was preferable to a public company and that sufficient accountability mechanisms had been built into the legislation to accommodate their requirements.
Further obstacles were encountered when moves were made to terminate current head leases held by Rental Housing Co-operatives. An arbitration process initiated by the United Housing Coalition resulted in the DHS accepting that the perpetual lease could not be terminated. SouthEast’s solicitor then had to sort out the complexities of a merger involving three separate head leases.
SEHC is governed by a Board of Directors, which is comprised of both members and independent directors. Members elect member representatives to the Board.
The Board of Directors is responsible for all aspects of governance including the employment of staff who are responsible for undertaking the management functions of the co-operative which is primarily property management.
Currently there are four staff positions (3.4 EFT) including Manager, Tenancy Officer, Property Maintenance Officer and Finance/Administration Officer.
The co-operative is committed to tenant participation through Member Forums and Committees of the Board.
Member Forums (formerly called Area Committee Meetings) are not formal decision making bodies of the Co-op. The Board is the formal decision making body of the Co-op.
Committees of the Board include Maintenance, Tenancy, Policy & Education, Member Services and Office Support Group. These committees have set roles and responsibilities including undertaking certain tasks delegated by the Board and making recommendations to the Board on certain matters that fall within their roles.
The main purpose of Member Forums is to give out information, to receive member feedback and to develop member services and social activities.
Member Forums are held every 3 months, meaning there are 4 per year, one of which will be a Combined Members Forum held in Dandenong.
Mission Statement:
To provide effective and efficient management of long term co-operative housing in the southern and eastern regions of Melbourne that is highly responsive to public needs, while maximising opportunities for tenant involvement in the operation of the Co-operative.
Aims and Objectives
· To effectively and efficiently deliver an accessible, affordable and quality housing service.
· To operate a community housing organisation based on the principles of co-operation, social justice and voluntary participation.
· To be effective property managers and a financially accountable organisation.
· To provide opportunities for tenants to have involvement in the management of their housing.
