Compass Housing Services Co Limited (Compass) is an enterprising and socially committed international NGO that provides social and affordable housing for low to moderate income households. With almost 6900 properties under management, Compass is one of the largest nongovernment providers of subsidised housing in Australia. But community housing at Compass is about much more than providing accommodation. It’s also about building communities. Compass’ vision is for a world in which all people have access to safe, affordable and adequate housing and are actively engaged in their communities. In pursuit of that goal, Compass has developed an approach to service delivery which integrates tenancy and property management within a broader network of services and maximises opportunities for tenants to increase their economic and social participation. While providing housing is their core business, Compass is also an increasingly powerful advocate for structural reform to Australia’s housing system. Underpinning our company vision is a belief that safe and adequate housing is a basic human right. As promoters of the right to housing, Compass produce innovative research papers and participate in cross sectoral campaigns and lobbying to help bring about a more equitable housing system that meets the needs of all Australians. They take pride in their tenancy and asset management services. What Compass do is more than housing—its about people, the lives they live, the community they live in and providing a place they call ‘home’.

Compass aim to optimize the potential of the people who live in their properties. They support their dreams and aspirations, giving them opportunities to grow and become who they want to be. Compass believe communities are created through a shared sense of belonging and connectedness. Compass’ endeavours assist in connecting communities. They also have an active role to play in influencing the future of housing and sustainable communities. Compass act to support their clients and influence others to achieve a better future. They look for sustainability, in business and in the environment. Compass measure their success in the impact they leave on the environment and how well they support clients to determine their own future.

Successful organisational cultures manifest distinct characteristics which indicate growth and are typically characterised by cooperative, engaging and respectful teamwork. Compass employees have a clear sense of purpose; they understand their immediate and long-term goals which is demonstrated through employees being encouraged to embrace their individuality and diversity at work and develop authentic connection and meaningful relationships with our tenants, community partners and stakeholders. Compass understands employees who are well informed and able to trust what they are told by management is an important element of the employment experience. Compass encourages effective communication through three main characteristics: clarity, courtesy, and proactivity. Compass values the experiences and contributions made by all our employees. In recognising employees’ diverse abilities and backgrounds Compass has shaped a workplace which is inclusive and productive enabling us to provide a better service to all our stakeholders. Compass’ communication culture encourages employees, leaders and managers to enjoy clear lines of communication to ensure everyone is on the same wavelength, thinking and acting the same way towards reaching organisational goals and providing a consistent message to our tenants and stakeholders.  Compass Leaders act as role models for the behaviours and actions which align to Compass’ mission, vision and values.

Compass workplace culture also offers their employees opportunities for growth, both in terms of training and in terms of their ability to grow as individuals or as teams — acquiring new skills and, as a result, new possibilities. Providing employees with career development and/or promotional opportunities assists employees to feel they are valued and is a key element of Compass’ workforce planning strategy and ongoing organisational success. This is evidenced by offering opportunities to undertake higher duties, participation in Compass’ Emerging Leaders Program and providing employees with a personal training budget each year to undertake professional development. The variety of training and development opportunities Compass provide for their employees aim to build their capacity to deliver services, meet strategic needs and align with Compass’ values, strategic plan and overall mission.

Compass recognises the most effective way to attract and support competent and productive employees are to ensure a healthy and safe work environment for everyone. As such Compass encourages workforce diversity including support for workers who may require reasonable workplace adjustments and non-discriminatory employment practices. Compass takes an organisational wide and systematic approach to workplace health and safety (WHS) management in order to minimise the risks to our employees. Compass have several Health and Wellbeing programs designed to create a work environment that promotes mental and physical wellbeing, increased staff engagement and greater productivity. Compass is committed to embedding safe work practices into their workplace culture and recognises that safety is a key driver to sustain employee engagement. Compass’ safety approach is founded on continuous improvement where feedback from their workers and WHS committee members is utilised to manage and improve safety related outcomes and builds on existing health and safety processes. Therefore, Compass ensure they focus on the development and continuous improvement of work, health & safety strategies which provide a platform for a safer place of work through increased employee collaboration and consultation.