YWCA Canberra is a trusted registered community housing provider, supporting Canberrans for more than 60 years with transitional housing, affordable housing and supportive tenancy services.
Rentwell is our property management service that provides affordable rental properties owned by private investors to people who are struggling to secure and maintain tenancies in the mainstream market.
Having an affordable, appropriate and secure place to call home is a fundamental human right and we believe that all Canberrans should have quality, affordable and secure housing options.
For people on low incomes, the ACT is an incredibly expensive place to rent. Increasingly, people are being locked out of the mainstream rental market, but yet they earn too much money to be eligible for other forms of housing support.
Our priority is to assist older women who are at risk of homelessness and women with children, but we will house men in need as well.
Through Rentwell, we are contributing to the pool of affordable housing options in the ACT, building stronger communities and making Canberra a more inclusive and liveable city for everyone.
How it works
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Our housing expertise
YWCA Canberra has provided housing support to women and the broader Canberra community for more than 60 years, commencing with the opening of Leave House in Mort St by Lady Gowrie in 1942.
Today we provide supported accommodation services on behalf of the ACT Government and are a registered housing provider (Tier 3) under the National Regulatory System for Community Housing. We have established policies and procedures to effectively manage a multifaceted housing service, delivering on all reporting obligations and funding requirements.
As a leading and trusted community services organisation in the ACT we are regularly contacted by our sector colleagues and the ACT Government to provide information, advice or direct services to Canberrans in need. We are also a proud member of REIACT, with membership number 799.
Our specialised Housing Unit provides the following services:
- Next Door – Housing and support services for older women experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness
- Community housing – YWCA and privately owned accommodation for people in need
- Transitional housing – supported accommodation for women and their families who are at risk of homelessness
- Outreach – preventing homelessness through outreach services
- Supportive Tenancy Service – providing advocacy and support for people whose tenancy is at risk, or who need support to secure a tenancy
Our governance
YWCA Canberra is governed by a board of 12 company directors who define the strategic goals of the organisation.
The Board operates according to a Code of Ethics and Proper Practice. A governance manual guides the work of the Directors and establishes the relationship between the Board and the Chief Executive Officer.
Our Constitution guides our work and sets out the fundamental principles under which our organisation is governed. It was last amended at the Extraordinary General Meeting on 16 May 2018.
YWCA Canberra’s CEO, Executive Director Community Services and Executive Director Finance and Corporate Services form the governance structure for Rentwell.
An expert advisory committee comprising representatives from the banking, accounting, legal, commercial real estate and marketing sectors provide support and advice to the governance group.
YWCA Canberra’s established Housing Unit is staffed with experienced and qualified property management professionals that will deliver the Rentwell’s service.
Our property managers lead this work with the Manager, Housing Unit. The Chief Operating Officer has oversight of Rentwell’s day-to-day operations.