Paula O’Leary

Paula O’Leary splits her time between two roles.

Head of Policy and Sector Development

As the Head of Policy and Sector Development Paula provides leadership, research, engagement, guidance and input on housing and homelessness policy. On behalf of Shelter WA she oversees and ensures multi-dimensional engagement with stakeholders including funding bodies, homelessness services, community housing providers, other service providers, private industry, and our members.

Paula is currently Chairperson, WA Branch Committee of the Australasian Housing Institute.

ACHO Capacity Building

Shelter WA was awarded a COVID-19 Grant by Lotterywest to build the capacity of the four WA based Aboriginal community housing organisations (ACHO).

These are the Murchison Regional Aboriginal Corporation, based in Geraldton, Goldfields Indigenous Housing Organisation, based in Kalgoorlie, Southern Aboriginal Corporation based in Albany and Noongar Mia Mia based in Perth.

They collectively manage around 300 homes for over 1,000 tenants. Low stock numbers, ageing stock and a limited ability to borrow to generate new homes is impacting on viability at a time when housing demand is increasing.

The aim of this project, run by Paula, is to optimise current assets and drive professionalism and understanding the impact of the pandemic and how these organisations can structure their businesses to mitigate future risk. If will ensure that individually and collectively the four Aboriginal community housing organisations have strong relationships in place to support each other, along with the operational responses that will enable them to be more resilient to external shocks. Through peer-to-peer learning good practice will be shared to build collective capability will be supported with technical expertise that will be shared across the four organisations. This includes a focus on policy, procedures, finance, asset management and planning, and asset expansion informing local and collective practice.

Paula was Housing Services Manager at St Vincent de Paul Society (WA) Inc for more than five years before joining Shelter WA.

Having worked in the not-for-profit (NFP) sector she learnt and understood complex legislation and guidelines to then write and implement effective policies and create a housing services area for St Vincent de Paul. In the role she built productive and effective working relationships with key internal and external stakeholders e.g support agencies, local/state government, peak bodies, and represented the organisation at sector meetings and events.