Williamstown Rental Housing Co-operative (WRHC) was formed in 1982 and became a Registered Housing
Provider in May 2009. The Co-op currently manages 36 properties which comprise of two, three and four bedrooms and are
located in the Municipality of Hobsons Bay, all owned by the Department of Human Services - Office of Housing (OoH)
WRHC is a Rental Housing Co-operative that exists to provide long-term, secure and affordable accommodation to members
who are in receipt of Centrelink benefits and/or on low income. This helps to reduce homelessness and housing related
poverty by providing rents within peoples financial means. WRHC collects the rent, performs maintenance and works closely
with the Department of Human Services - OoH to ensure properties are maintained to a set standard. WRHC is committed
to member education, training and the furthering of community development.
WRHC contributes
to the development of public housing policy through active participation as a member of Community Housing Federation of Victoria
(CHFV). Members of the Co-operative continually seek to improve their knowledge of housing issues through attendance
at relevant conferences and seminars.
The co-operative seeks to enhance the role of member-based management
of community housing through the development of effective working realtionships with other co-operatives. These relationships
enable the sharing of knowledge and expertise, the identification of common issues and opportunities and the development of
strategies to address them.
WRHC is governed by a voluntary Board of Directors the majority of whom are all members
of the Co-operative democratically elected by the members of the Co-operative, thus ensuring member / tenant / user control
of the operation of the service and a better understanding of tenant-member needs. In 2010 the Board appointed an Independent
Director who has brought financial expertise to the Board.
