CHIA held its 2022 AGM on 24 November. Thank you to all directors and members who attended via Zoom and in person at CHC in Canberra. Our 2021/22 annual report is available here.

It was an opportunity to thank retiring Chair and ACT Region Director Andrew Hannan for his huge contribution to CHIA and to the sector over the last three years.  CHIA has been indeed fortunate to have such a dedicated Chair.  Julie Blake also retired from the Board as Region Director for SA.  Julie has done a great job and in particular contributed her expertise and knowledge on veterans housing issues. CHIA staff, Board and members thank and acknowledge Andrew and Julie for their longstanding efforts and commitment as Directors.

Leonie King, CEO City West Housing also retired as Region Director for NSW, but was elected to the Board as National Director. Also joining the Board are Megan Ward, COO at CHC as Region Director ACT, Charles Northcote, CEO BlueCHP as Region Director, NSW and Geoff Slack, CEO YourPlace Housing, Region Director for SA. The Board and Regional committees are set out below.

With Andrew retiring, the Board elected Chris Smith, CEO of Foundation Housing as CHIA’s new Chair at the meeting immediately following the AGM. Rebecca Oeklers, CEO at BHC continues as Vice Chair.

We look forward to another productive year working to support the community housing sector at Commonwealth level.

For the full list of Directors and Regional Committees please click here

A landmark analysis reveals 640,000 Australian households are in housing stress, with the figure projected to rise to 940,000 by 2041.

Quantifying Australia’s unmet housing need – a national snapshot was prepared for the Community Housing Industry Association by the UNSW City Futures Research Centre. It shows one in fifteen Australian households were experiencing homelessness, overcrowded homes or rental stress on census night in 2021.

Full media release here

NHFIC have today released their Social Bond Report, providing timely new insights into community housing as the sector attracts increasing investor interest.

New research analysis reveals tenants living in community housing feel more secure, and have improved financial, employment and health outcomes. These insights are outlined in the 2021-22 Social Bond Report, published by the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC).

The Report also includes information on increasing investor interest in the community housing sector as a recognised investment asset class; and profiles of the Community Housing Providers (CHPs) supported by the bonds issued during the past financial year.

Full report here

The Community Housing Industry Association has commended Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ housing budget as a breakthrough moment for Australia’s housing affordability crisis.

The National Housing Accord accelerates the impact of the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund by capitalising the full fund immediately, rather than over three years. It provides an additional $350 million to build 10,000 extra affordable homes over five years from 2024, with matching funding from states and territories to deliver an additional extra 10,000 homes.

Full release here

CHIA has produced a short ‘talking points’ document to help ensure a consistent positive message about the HAFF design.

CHIA has consulted with Power Housing Australia and it is jointly badged.

The low res version can be accessed here and a high res version here.

CHIA has released its October 2022 newsletter- read here

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After a total of 12 years as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Housing Choices Australia (Housing Choices), Michael Lennon has advised the Board that he will step down from his position on January 31, 2023.
Michael’s decision is driven by his belief that Housing Choices should benefit from renewed leadership at the most optimal time in its development and that time is now: “Working with a skilled executive team and staff and a committed board has made the task of helping build Housing Choices a privilege,” Mr Lennon said.

Full media release here

CHIA has released its September 2022 newsletter- read here

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Congratulations to Leonie King, CEO and the City West Housing team on winning the award for Best Affordable Housing Development at the Property Council of Australia Innovation & Excellence Awards recently, for their Ironbark Apartments.

Key housing affordability advocates have welcomed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s commitment to expand the National Housing Infrastructure Facility to social and affordable housing.

Mr Albanese made the commitment in his closing address to the Jobs and Skills Summit in Canberra this afternoon. The policy makes it possible for $575 million dollars in the national housing infrastructure facility to invest in affordable housing by attracting financing from super funds and other sources of private capital. The Prime Minister’s commitment is an important recognition of the critical role social and affordable housing must play if Australia is to address core economic challenges such as productivity and labour mobility, according to the Community Housing Industry Association, National Shelter, Homelessness Australia and Everybody’s Home.

Wendy Hayhurst, CEO of Community Housing Industry Association, said social and affordable housing was critical infrastructure. “Our existing housing policies are a handbrake on economic growth because they fail to provide the rental housing needed for our workforce. This initiative is a great start at attracting super funds into social and affordable housing and we are committed to working with the Government to build upon it.”

Full release here

The Jobs and Skills Summit must consider the urgent need to expand social and affordable housing if it hopes to deal with core economic challenges such as productivity and labour mobility, according to key housing affordability advocates.

The joint call from the Community Housing Industry Association, National Shelter, Homelessness Australia and Everybody’s Home comes as a raft of recent data and research demonstrates the economic toll of inadequate housing options for Australians on low and modest incomes.

An Impact Economics report last week showed how the affordable housing shortage gripping regional Australia is blowing a hole in local economies worth hundreds of millions of dollars, as employers struggle to attract staff due to low vacancy rates and skyrocketing rent.

Full media release here

CHIA has released its August 2022 newsletter- read here

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An alliance of more than 100 property, community, health and environmental organisations has today issued a forceful call to the country’s Building Ministers to lift the energy efficiency of new homes built in Australia.

The powerful joint statement, released two weeks ahead of a National Building Ministers meeting, urges the Commonwealth, State and Territory Ministers to use the meeting to confirm amendments to the National Construction Code.

The proposed changes would increase the minimum energy efficiency requirements for new homes from a 6 to 7-star energy rating and have the potential to slash the average household energy bill by up to $576 a year, according to the Federal Government’s own analysis.

Full media release here

Full statement here

CHIA has released its July 2022 newsletter- read here

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