Shelter WA and Curtin’s Faculty of Business and Law are hosting a four-part economic lecture series – Housing economics for non economists.
These lectures will be of interest to anyone that is keen to learn more about the push and pull factors that affect the WA housing economy.
Each lecture will be followed by a panel discussion and networking for those that are attending in person.
For further information click here
Homes for Homes has announced it will provide $200,000 to support two projects which will increase Australia’s supply of social and affordable housing.
YWCA Canberra will receive $100,000 towards establishing 10 supported dwellings for older women and women with children who are experiencing family violence while Homes for Homes will provide another $100,000 to assist Community Housing Canberra build two homes which will help women transition from custody to secure housing, employment and community connections.
Established by Australia’s largest and most successful social enterprise, The Big Issue, Homes for Homes is an independent, not-for-profit organisation helping to solve one of Australia’s biggest social issues – ending homelessness.
Full media release here
Pictured: Andrew Hannan, CEO CHC Affordable Housing, The Hon Michael Sukkar MP, Gavin Jackman, Homes for Homes, Frances Crimmins, CEO YWCA Canberra, Tracy Longo, Homes for Homes. Photo by Brenton Colley.
Commonwealth Rental Assistance (CRA) – When almost 30% of tenants who had received CRA in 2019/20 were still in rental stress, and with the maximum payment falling further and further below actual rental costs, we asked the question: ‘Is it time for reform?
National Shelter with CHIA organised a briefing by Prof Hal Pawson and Dr Chris Martin from City Futures Research Centre, UNSW about their recently published AHURI research – Demand side assistance in Australia’s private rental market – and explained how for a relatively modest cost we could reform CRA and improve housing outcomes for low income renters.
The City Futures presentation can be viewed here.
The Zoom recording can be viewed here.
The National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) has finalised an innovative funding agreement with Victorian community housing provider HousingFirst, accelerating a program of work to deliver more affordable and social homes in Victoria, including newly built properties.
The deal will allow HousingFirst to access more than $18 million in NHFIC loans and grants for infrastructure works through NHFIC’s National Housing Infrastructure Facility (NHIF).
The infrastructure funding will support a total of 316 homes across four projects in Melbourne’s Brighton and St Kilda areas, and will accommodate people currently on the priority social housing waitlist, with the majority of homes for women over 55.
NHFIC CEO Nathan Dal Bon said the agreement was the first of its kind struck under the NHIF with a Victorian community housing provider and hastened the development of much needed affordable and social housing across Melbourne.
Full media release here
CHIA Qld is excited to advise that bookings are now open for all 9 courses in CHIA QLD’s 2021 Micro-Credential training program – Foundations for Growth.
Employees and Board directors of CHIA Qld member organisations can access these training courses at a discounted price of $150 per course ($180 for non-members).
If you need your member discount code or to become a member of CHIA QLD, please contact Esther or Peta at [email protected]
To find out more, please go to https://chia.learnupon.com/store to set up a log-in and select the training courses that interest you.
More info and dates can be accessed via this flyer here
The Australian Council of Social Service says the Government’s JobSeeker decision today comes as devastating news for people, it is a cut to their current income and is a measly $3.57 a day more than the brutal old Newstart rate.
Australian Council of Social Service CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie said:
“This is a heartless betrayal of millions of people with the least, including hundreds of thousands of children, single parents, people with disability, older people, students, people dealing with illness and injury, and others relying on income support.
“Today, the Government has turned its back on those with the least, plunging people further into poverty. It’s a cruel decision that shows a complete lack of humanity and empathy. It comes as devastating news for so many and will have serious consequences for people’s lives, including homelessness and crushing debt.
“I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the courageous people on JobSeeker who have bravely shared their stories. Across the community sector, we are determined to continue working with people on JobSeeker, standing with them to continue to strongly advocate for what we know is right.”
Full media release here
As of 18 February 2021, Access Housing will officially change its name to Housing
Choices Western Australia (Housing Choices WA), as the merger between Access
Housing and Housing Choices Australia reaches completion.
The two organisations officially merged on 1 July 2020, paving the way for Housing
Choices to become one of the largest community housing providers in the country. In
Western Australia, Housing Choices WA has 1,850 properties with over 3,000
tenants and a total asset value of over $175 million. Since the merger, Housing
Choices (including WA) is now responsible for the management of nearly 7,000
social and affordable homes across five states in Australia, with assets valued in
excess of $900 million and with annual revenue of nearly $70 million.
The merger’s completion puts the Housing Choices Group of Companies in a leading
position to work with the WA Government and other industry stakeholders to help
resolve the State’s current housing crisis.
Full media release here
The overwhelming majority of Australia’s top economists and housing experts agree Australian governments pay too little attention to housing system impacts on productivity and growth, according to a new survey.
In the UNSW City Futures Centre study, led by Honorary Professor Duncan Maclennan and
commissioned by the Housing Productivity Research Consortium formed by a group of private sector and non-profit stakeholders, 84 per cent of respondents agreed with the statement: Australian governments have paid too little attention to how housing outcomes also affect productivity and growth.
And 80 per cent agreed that: Rising mortgage debt poses an economic stability risk to Australia.
Full media release here
UNSW Report here
The establishment of Evolve Pacific Developments (EPD) brought together two leading and highly regarded Community Housing Providers, Evolve Housing and Pacific Link Housing, so that they could, jointly provide more affordable housing for those in greatest need in our community. Their combined efforts have resulted in the completion of three successful developments at Woy Woy, Roselands and Canton Beach, delivering a total of 87 new studio apartments.
The already significant existing need for social and affordable housing has surged even further with the economic impact of COVID-19. The EPD built apartments have provided the clients of both organisations with a high-quality housing solution and the provision of a safe and secure accommodation environment.
Full media release here
Leading social enterprise Junction has welcomed a new Board Chair.
Design thinker Rob DiMonte began in the role this week alongside Directors Trevor Cooke (Deputy Chair), Stephen Olsson, Pauline Rooney, Fairlie Delbridge and Richard Osborne. A former Managing Partner for Deloitte in South Australia (2001-2014), Mr DiMonte has more than 37 years consulting experience across both public and private sectors – and a passion for driving social and economic wellbeing. His appointment follows the passing earlier this year of Mike Canny who had held the position of Junction Chair for almost eight years.
Mr DiMonte recognised Mr Canny’s significant contribution to the governance and leadership of the organisation. “Junction is in a very positive position,” he said. “I am looking forward to supporting the organisation, our staff and all those we work with to thrive into the future. “I’d also like to thank Pauline Rooney who stepped up to take on the role of Chair over recent months. Pauline’s significant investment and steady hand has been critical across this period.”
For the full media release click here
Haven; Home, Safe have announced after many years of significant service, CEO Ken Marchingo AM has drawn to a close his role as Chief Executive Officer at effective 17 January 2021.
CHIA wishes to thank and acknowledge Ken’s support over the years and wishes him all the best for the future.
For the full media release, click here
CHIA would like to thank its members, Board members, stakeholders, plus all state and territory colleagues for their support in 2020 and wishes everyone a safe and peaceful holiday season.
The CHIA offices will close from midday on 24 December and reopen on Tuesday 5th January 2021.
We look forward to working with you in 2021.
NSW Land Registry Services will be partnering with Homes for Homes in NSW to support the
creation of social and affordable housing.Homes for Homes, created by The Big Issue, operates on a voluntary promise that when a home
sells, 0.1% of the sale price will be donated to help increase the supply of social and affordable
housing for those in need in NSW.
NSW LRS will facilitate voluntary donations from NSW properties sold by registering caveats and
informing customers of the opportunity to donate.
Full media release here
The National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) has released its first flagship
report producing five-year projections for housing supply and demand across Australia’s major cities
and regional areas.
The State of the Nation’s Housing 2020 report assesses the number of new households that are
expected to form (new housing demand) over the next five years, the number of new net dwelling
additions expected to come on-line, and annual balance of new supply and demand, while also
assessing housing affordability
Full media release here
Two of Australia’s leading Tier 1 community housing providers, Link Housing and Wentworth Community Housing, have announced they are joining forces. The two organisations have signed a merger agreement with the intention to formally become Link Wentworth Housing Ltd (Link Wentworth), on 31 March 2021.
Government endorsement was recently received and member approvals finalised at Link Housing’s Annual General Meeting on November 26, 2020, giving the merger the green light. The Board has appointed former Housing NSW CEO, Mike Allen, as Chair-elect, with Link Housing CEO, Andrew McAnulty announced as CEO-elect.
The merger of these two major Tier 1 community housing providers means Link Wentworth will be one of the largest community housing providers in New South Wales, able to leverage its scale to enable greater provision of social and affordable housing to those most in need.
For the full media release click here
Bibi Barba is an Indigenous artist who combines her grandmother’s storytelling and personal connection to the land as her inspiration for producing artworks that combine traditional culture and contemporary style. Born in Queensland and raised in Sydney, Bibi remains connected to her Wiradjuri tribe on Keppel Island as a salt-water Woka Woka woman, recognising her lifelong association with sea and land.
As an artist for 35 years, Bibi has explored many different career paths including as a designer, artist and law student. Today she continues to be an advocate for artist rights and is recognised internationally as a respected voice in areas of Indigenous education and advocacy.
Full media release here