Agency details
Name: Urban Communities Limited
Registration Category: Housing Provider
Registration Date: 1 May 2009
Agency contacts
CEO: George Housakos
Chairperson: The Hon Michael Duffy
Address: 42 Derby Street, Kensington, VIC 3031
Website: www.urbancommunities.com.au
Office phone number (03) 9371 2000
Agency mission
Urban Communities mission is to be an agent of urban renewal in disadvantaged communities. We will
develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated approach to place management in urban
environments which require social and physical renewal.
Key statistics – as at 30 June 2013
Housing properties under management – Total 651
Long Term 651
Transitional 0
Crisis 0
plus over 300 private properties as part of r
Properties in agency ownership – 15
Tenancy units under management – Total 651
Long Term 651
Transitional 0
Crisis 0
Tenancy units in agency ownership – Total 15
Staffing – Total number 31 Total EFT 26.0
Total assets as at 30 June 2013 – $6,348,377
Annual turnover for financial year ended 30 June 2013 – $3,697,368
Operational surplus/(deficit) financial year ended 30 June 2013 – $248,075
Registered agency profile continued
Scope of operations
Housing – Long term accommodation
Housing support services (for public/social housing residents) – Housing information & referral, social
housing advocacy and support program
Other services – Community building, private property management, commercial property management,
owners’ corporation management, facilities management
Client group/s for housing – Singles, families, homeless/priority public housing waiting list
Key partnerships
The agency has a number of key partners including:
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Victorian Government
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South Australian Government
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HomeGround Services
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Hanover Welfare Services
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Westpac
Agency history
Urban Communities is a property management company based in community. The agency manages
government owned housing, social and affordable housing, private rental, owners corporations (Bodies
Corporate), owns and manages social/affordable housing and provides facilities management services. The
service is underpinned by a community building approach.
Urban Communities had its origins in the redevelopment of the Kensington Public Housing Estate. The Estate
was identified as an area that would benefit from a shift to a mix of public and private homes - a change that
would physically and socially integrate the estate back into the surrounding suburb of Kensington. The
Redevelopment project was launched in 2002.
Urban Communities evolved from a joint partnership between the Victorian State Government and the
redevelopment property developer, who shared a vision for on-site (place) management and an integrated
approach to public and private housing, creating a vibrant and connected community. The concept of place
management and the building of a community was embraced as important as the built form.
Urban Communities was incorporated in 2007 and in the same year gained a Real Estate licence.
In May 2009, Urban Communities was registered as a Housing Provider.
In 2013, Urban Communities manages Victorian mixed tenure communities in Kensington, Coburg and Fitzroy
incorporating public, private, social and affordable properties.
Legal structure
Urban Communities Ltd is a company limited by guarantee and governed by an independent board of
directors.