Program

Sunrise session: Measuring what Matters: Demonstrating the value created by well-designed social and affordable housing

Presenters:  

• Peter Colacino, Avista Strategy
• Hugh Harrington, National Housing Finance & Investment of Technology
• Wendy Hayhurst, Community Housing Industry Association
• A/ Prof Christian Nygaard, Swinburne University of Technology
• Min Seto, Australian Social Value Bank

Sunrise session: Showcasing modern methods of construction by Office of the Queensland Government Architect

Presenters:

• Leah Lang Queensland Government Architect
• Peter Nelson, office of the Queensland Government Architect

Includes Welcome to Country, Introduction from AHURI and Ministerial address.

Presenters    

• The Hon Julie Collins MP
• Dr Michael Fotheringham, AHURI

Australia is experiencing genuine challenges in our housing systems – insufficient and slowing supply, extremely low rental vacancy levels resulting in a lack of available housing for many households, rising rents, high home purchase prices not dampened by increasing interest rates, and mortgage stress. These challenges are compounded by changing population distribution putting regional markets into new levels of difficulty, as well as climate change and sustainability challenges in need of urgent response. This session explores how we are responding to myriad housing challenges as a nation.

Speakers:

• Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz, National Housing Supply and Affordability Council

• John Engeler, Chair, National Shelter

Facilitator: Dr Michael Fotheringham, AHURI

Exhibition Precinct

MC1: Financing and investing in new housing supply 

Delivering new housing supply requires significant investment. This session explores new ways of financing housing delivery, bringing together diverse perspectives working to address a key housing challenge.

Presenters

• Rebecca Oelkers, BHC
• Carolyn Viney, Super Housing Partnerships
• Professor Steven Rowley, Curtin University

Facilitator: Carrie Hamilton

MC2: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander home ownership  

Rates of home ownership remain relatively low. This session explores options and innovations to increase ownership rates among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households, and how well they are working.

Presenters

• Debbie Avery, Aboriginal Housing Office
• Josephine Hart, Jalbi Jiya Housing Program, Nyamba Buru Yawuru
• Kirsty Moore, Indigenous Business Australia
• Melanie Jones, WA Department of Communities

Facilitator: Zachariah Matysek, National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Housing Association (NATSIHA)

MC3: State of the Cities  

Given Australia’s population distribution, the greatest number of people are living in our cities, in both central and suburban locations. Local governments are increasingly engaged in housing affordability issues. This session examines leading responses in metropolitan solutions.

Presenters:

• The Hon Sally Capp AO, Lord Mayor of Melbourne
• David O'Loughlin, National Housing Supply & Affordability Council
• Dr Tim Williams, Practice Leader, Cities for Grimshaw

Facilitator: Matt Collins, Planning Institute of Australia

Exhibition Precinct

C1: Cross sector collaboration for better renting
What are the challenges and opportunities when partnerships form between different sectors to support good outcomes for renters?

Presenters:

• Ollie Sutherland, Venture Housing Company
• Paul Tommasini, Tenancy Skills Institute
• Laura Valenti, McGrath North Lakes

Facilitator: Kirstine Harvie, Department of Housing (Qld)

C2: Housing and Climate: retrofit and circular economy perspectives 

Changing climates and rising energy costs are closely linked to housing quality and sustainability. This session considers sustainable building, retrofit practices and energy efficiency.

Presenters

• Joe Noone, South Australian Housing Authority
• Dr Sarah Robertson, RMIT University
• Rachel Trinder, Kainga Ora - Homes and Communities

Facilitator: Dr Trivess Moore, RMIT University

C3: Australian Housing First experiences 

This session explores recent programs designed from a Housing First perspective, with particular interest in pandemic era responses.

Presenters

• Humair Ahmad, NSW Department of Communities and Justice
• Sherri Bruinhout, Homes Victoria
• Geoff Aigner, Housing ACT
• Anne Kirwan, Marymead CatholicCare Canberra & Goulburn

Facilitator: Dr Tom Alves, AHURI

C4: Housing solutions for young people leaving care 

Leaving out of home care for young people is a key transition. Recent changes in policy and practice are creating opportunities for positive outcomes.

Presenters

• Andrew Kazim, Anglicare WA
• Marcia Gerrard, MG Corporation
• Emily Dewar, Broome Youth & Families Hub

Facilitator: Dan Jefferson, KPMG

C5: Housing co-operatives

Co-operative housing models are less common in Australia than similar countries. This session considers what are the benefits of this approach and how we can build this sector.

Presenters

• Sarah Anderson, Northcote Co-operative Housing
• Associate Professor Louise Crabtree-Hayes, Western Sydney University
• Claire Mackenzie, Phoenix Housing Co-operative
• Stephanie Miller, Common Equity Housing SA

Facilitator: Chantal Raine, Department of Housing

C6: Boosting home ownership through shared equity

A range of innovative shared equity programs are seeking to support home ownership – This session considers how these programs are different to earlier state government programs and their prospects.

Presenters

• Tim Buskens, HOPE Housing
• Mike Myers, National Housing Affordable
• Professor Rachel Ong ViforJ, Curtin University

Facilitator: Geoff Slack, Your Place Housing

Think Tank 1: Innovative practices in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing 

How are providers, government agencies and partners innovating in delivery of positive housing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander households and communities?

Presenters

• Natalie Clark, Danielle Gentles and Melanie Goldstein. NSW Department of Communities & Justice 
• Clive Rosewarne, & Maxine Carlton, Community Housing Central Australia & Michael Klerck, Tangetyere Council
• Heather MacRae, The Fulcrum Agency

Exhibition Precinct

What can we learn from the management and regulation of private rental markets in other countries? This plenary panel session draws on experience in Canada and the US, along with Australian experiences.

Presenters

• Dr James R. Dunn, McMaster University, Canada
• Hayden Groves, Real Estate Institute of Australia
• Trina Jones, NSW Rental Commissioner
• Steve Lucas, US Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD)

Facilitator: Eleri Morgan-Thomas, Homes Tasmania

Sunrise Session - From Across the Ditch

Lessons from programs and services in New Zealand with presentations from:

• Dr Lucy Telfar Barnard, University of Otago
• Dr Amber Logan, University of Otago
• Dr Natalie Allen, The Urban Advisory, Auckland

Sunrise Session - Lessons learned on urban regeneration in London – the Elephant Park project

Lendlease’s urban regeneration of Elephant Park in London, due for completion in 2027, offers one of the best examples of our expertise and experience to deliver large scale estate renewal projects. The 10 hectare precinct, a partnership between Lendlease and Southwark Council, will deliver 3,208 apartments (including 25% affordable) as well as new retail and public spaces

Hear from Ed Mayes, Lendlease Project Director on the lessons learned from this project, in a Q&A discussion with Scott Langford, Group CEO, SGCH

Sunrise Session - Sticking the Landing: Lessons learned on how to get the Capital to Stack

This session will unpack recent examples of innovative social and affordable housing deals. The investor panel will then delve into the evolving role equity and debt can play in the delivery of housing.

This panel session draws together leaders from a range of segments of Australia’s housing systems, covering housing policy, research and advocacy, private rental, social housing, and homeownership. Discussion will focus on current challenges and opportunities to improve housing outcomes across the nation, and how we can work together to find a way forward.

Presenters

• Mark Cridland, Department Housing Queensland
• Trudi Ray, Haven Home Safe
• Emma Slape, Real Estate Institute of South Australia (RESIA)
• Tanya Steinbeck, UDIA WA

Facilitator: Dr Michael Fotheringham

Exhibition precinct

C7: Lived experiences of housing vulnerability

This session explores a range of lived experiences of housing vulnerability, and considers how these experiences can inform policy to better support vulnerable households.

Presenters

• Linda Hahn, Housing Older Women Movement
• Daniel Robertson, Neighbourly
• Robert Perrier, Tenant advocate

Facilitator: Mark Francis, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland

C8: Better access to housing for people living with mental health issues

This session will present models and partnerships designed to increase access to and knowledge of the NDIS and housing for people living with mental health issues.

Presenters

• Mark Heeney, The Haven Foundation
• Tracey Hocking, Mind Australia
• Jane Cunningham, Link Wentworth Housing

Faciltator: Dr Nicola Brackertz, AHURI

C9: Towards better renting experiences 

Australia’s rental markets are under enormous strain – this session showcases emerging tools and programs amplifying the voices and supporting the needs of renters.

Presenters

• Alyce Holmes, Common Equity Housing Limited (CEHL)
• Samantha Watson, Residential Tenancies Authority
• Jennifer Beveridge, Tenants Victoria

Factilitator: Emma Greenhalgh, National Shelter

C10: New models for youth housing

This session discusses new collaborations and programs offering housing with support for young people at risk of homelessness and how these lead to better outcomes both short- and long-term.

Presenters

• Pam Barker, Brisbane Youth
• Ryan Bullivant, St John's Youth Services
• Shorna Moore, MCM

Facilitator: Kate Colvin, Homelessness Australia

C11: Escaping Violence 

What factors contribute to better long-term safety and housing outcomes for women, and how are programs responding to need?

Presenters

• Dorothee Crawley, Catholic Care Wilcannia-Forbes
• Amanda Dalton, Protea Place Inc
• Carolyn Curry, YFS Ltd

Facilitator: Louise Simms, Safe and Equal

C12: Designing better homes for older Australians living in social housing

How are emerging programs and service offerings housing vulnerable older Australians considering built form and community building factors?

Presenters

• Sophie Dyring, Schored Projects
• Luke Garswood, Connect Victoria Park Inc
• Cassandra Polintanski & D, Wintringham

Facilitator: Fiona York, Housing for the Aged Action Group

Think Tank 2: Collaboration in a time of crisis 

This session will explore how collaboration and service coordination are being used to design programs to meet complex and specific needs.

Presenters

• James Cameron, Office of the Children's Commissioner Northern Territory and Annie Taylor, NT Shelter
• Michelle Coats, Roseberry Qld; Dave Grenfell, ATQLD; and Adam Klaproth, AnglicareCQ
• Dean Sullivan, CatholicCare Tasmania

Exhibition precinct

Ministerial Address by Hon Meaghan Scanlon

How can Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing specialists address a legacy of government policy and intervention on present day housing challenges? What are the opportunities and how can we maximise them across urban, regional and remote settings?

Presenters

• Rob MacFarlane, National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Housing Association (NATSIHA)
• Lisa Sampson, Aboriginal Community Housing Industry Association (ACHIA)
• Neil Willmett, Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland
• Skye Thompson, CEO Aboriginal Housing Northern Territory

Exhibition Precinct

This plenary session seeks to expose our audience to leading international policies and ideas. Climate change and its impacts present fundamental challenges for housing. In this session we hear from an international policy leader about responding to these challenges through a program of decarbonisation, and discuss the opportunities for change and innovation this presents in Australia.

Presenter:

• Sorcha Edwards, Housing Europe
• Professor Ralph Horne, RMIT University
• Alison Scotland, Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council

Faciltator: Dr Tom Alves, AHURI

MC4: Planning and design      

How can planning and design enhance housing outcomes and the provision of new housing supply?

Presenters:

• John Brockhoff, Planning Institute of Australia (PIA)
• Amy Degenhart, degenhartSHEDD
• David Islip, Office of Victorian Government Architect
• Tess Pickering, Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning (QLD)

Facilitator: Dr Tom Alves, AHURI

MC5: New thinking in regional housing   

Since the onset of the pandemic, new challenges have emerged for regional housing markets. How are governments and communities responding to these challenges and ensuring good housing outcomes?

Presenters:

• Sarah Amos, Department of Housing (Queensland)
• Kayla Clanchy, Shelter NSW
• Steve Dunn, Regional Housing Victoria

Facilitator: Kim Houghton, Regional Institute Australia

MC6: Housing systems and structural change   

Australia’s housing systems continue to evolve – what are the system level responses we need to ensure more positive outcomes and better coordination among key stakeholders?

Presenters:

• Nicola Foxworthy, Imagine Housing
• Amy Hains, Homelessness NSW
• Jennifer Michelmore, Studio Thi

Facilitator: Peter Mares

Exhibition Precinct

C13: Aboriginal community housing – a specialist sector 

How are Aboriginal community housing providers responding to community need, developing workforce capacity, and partnering for better outcomes?

Presenters

• Dushy Thangiah OAM, Yumba Met
• Alisi Tutuila, Aboriginal Housing Company
• Tina Ugle, Managing Director, Noongar Mia Mia

Facilitator:  Paula Coghill

C14: Placemaking and community building

A placemaking perspective puts housing provision in a neighbourhood and community context – what are the implications for service providers and funders?

Presenters

• Jayden Battey, Servants Community Housing Limited
• Sarah Buckeridge, Hayball
• Dr Lee-anne Khor, Monash University
• Trudi Ray, Haven Home Safe

Facilitator: Rachel Hornsby, Hornsby & Co

C15: The building role of local governments 

Local governments are increasingly engaged in addressing housing affordability and homelessness – what opportunities does this engagement bring, and what are the barriers?

Presenters

• Humair Ahmad, NSW Department of Communities and Justice
• Glenn Menner, Brimbank City Council
• Dr Heather Shearer, Cities Research Institute, Griffith University

Facilitator: Liz de Chastel, Australian Local Government Association

C16: Improving tenant outcomes in social housing

Sustaining positive tenancies and supporting the broader wellbeing of tenants is a key concern for social landlords. This session explores recent innovations in monitoring and maintaining good tenant outcomes.

Presenters

• Ellis Blaikie, Bridge Housing
• Dr Syed Imran Haider, Homes Victoria
• Elizabeth Kelso, BHC
• Min Seto, Alliance Social Enterprises - Australian Social Value Bank

Facilitator: Fiona Caniglia, Q Shelter

C17: Head leasing programs 

In head leasing programs, private rental property is rented by a community housing provider or a government agency, to then be let to a social tenant. How are these programs being adapted in new ways?

Presenters

• Rebecca Pinkstone, Bridge Housing
• Teresa Reed, Mangrove Housing
• Shane Smith, Haven Home Safe

Facilitator: Emma Greenhalgh, National Shelter

Think Tank 3: Repurposing property 

How can we make more efficient use of property to deliver positive housing outcomes in the short term?

Presenters

• Dan Cox, UnitingSA and Ben Moore, UnitingSA
• Simone Parsons, Women's Community Shelters
• Kerry Edwards, Foundation Housing Ltd

Mezzanine Level

At the close of the conference, drawing together the lessons and experiences across the conference program, as well as recent evidence and policy reform agendas, this final session tackles the key question: what is the way forward for housing in Australia?

Presenters

• Mary Delahunty, Seven Advisory
• Debbie McNamara, Economic Development Queensland
• Darren Mew, Blue CHP
• Helen Waters Silvia, National Housing & Supply Affordability Council

Facilitator: Dr Michael Fotheringham, AHURI

Pulling together all the sessions.