In the week of COP26 Core Logic & Powerhousing have released their 2022 Affordable Housing Report. It finds that just under eight million of Australia’s pre-energy rated homes are now well past their use by date, with housing contributing up to 18 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and is a real liability when it comes to hitting our Paris Agreement commitments for net-zero emissions.
The report calls for Government to address this through partnering with CHOs by incentivising schemes for knock down rebuilds (including transferring old public housing stock) on large and flat blocks that are close to commuter routes, retail and jobs, to make way for new housing developments, with builds that bring environmental, universal design, wellbeing, and economic benefits.
An existing ‘old’ standard house can make way for up to three new highly energy efficient, accessible and well-located dwellings, a proportion of which can go to meeting the surging demand for more social and affordable housing.
This is a timely reminder that we not only need to build new properties but we need to bring existing stock up to good environmental standards. CHIA Vic has been working closely with the sector and Homes Vic to support the delivery of highly efficient and sustainable new social housing in the Big Housing Build, but there remains a gap in the support available to retrofit or redevelop existing properties.
A good place to start would be a thorough audit of existing community housing to identify properties which are best suited to redevelopment – these could be considered for inclusion in the Big Housing Build. However this will still leave thousands of existing properties with very poor thermal performance, something which is not only bad for the climate but also for the health and wellbeing of our renters.
This week’s COP26 and the recent report by PowerHousing highlight the need for thoughtful, long-term strategies to improve the energy efficiency and sustainability of our stock.
This is work that requires the sector to work hand-in-hand with all levels of government to establish an appropriate standard for existing stock, identify what is required to achieve it, and most importantly how this work is to be funded.
Since the launch of the new CHIA Vic website, submissions to our Projects page have been coming thick and fast, showcasing examples of affordable housing projects in progress or completed.
The Projects page features news about developments and provides an opportunity to find and share project partnership opportunities.
The latest projects includeWilson’s Road, St Albans Park, aimed at providing more community housing in the Geelong region, as well as Mini Gilbert, Preston, a project looking to partner with a CHO and offering a shovel ready site with a permit approved for 10 apartments.
Every Project page contains detailed information, including how to contact the developer directly. If you are a developer, local council or CHO looking for an organisation to partner with on a specific project, you can share the partnership opportunity on the CHIA Vic website by completing the project details form.
Building neighbourhood support for Big Housing Build projects
CHIA Vic has been engaging with members, local councils and Homes Vic regarding the Big Housing Build, and in particular, the response of councils and local resident to Rapid Round projects, and their concerns preparing for the Regional Round.
Some councils have done significant work with local residents around the need for affordable housing in their region, and what that might look like. Others are at the beginning of that journey, and community housing organisations delivering projects for the Big Housing Build may find that not all communities are as receptive to their project as they would like.
As the sector knows, engaging with communities to get their support and address their concerns is critical in ensuring we are successful in building strong relationships with communities. These relationships are fundamental to the success of the Big Housing Build.
CHIA Vic believes that all stakeholders have a role to play in building up community understanding and acceptance of social and affordable housing. Building on work done in NSW we have created a number of resources that can assist in educating the public about community housing, our developments and our renters. These include templates that members can use to communicate about their own activities using consistent language across the sector as well as more general info sheets about affordable housing and the stories of several community housing renters.
See these resources for further ideas on how to build community support for social housing.
CHIA Vic is hoping to expand these resources with more renter stories, particularly those which reflect the issues facing regional areas. Members or other organisations interested in working with CHIA Vic on this should contact Steph Ng (stephanie.ng@chiavic.com.au).
We’ve got two excitement employment opportunities at CHIA Vic.
Communications Co-ordinator We’re on the search for a dynamic and switched-on Communication Co-ordinator, who will be responsible for the quality and effectiveness of all CHIA Vic’s communications. This is your opportunity to lead the communications that guide the community housing sector, media and the wider community. Read more and apply.
CEO, CHIA Vic CHIA Victoria champions the growth of not-for-profit housing organisations as the most effective way to ensure all Victorians can afford a safe place to call home, their mission is to lead, strengthen and grow a skilled, diverse and agile community housing sector.
As we embark on this leadership change, the new CEO will continue to build the impact, effectiveness and reputation of CHIA Victoria as the voice of Community Housing for the State. Read more and apply.
If you are a not-for-profit community housing organisation and are responsible for the maintenance of properties you may be eligible to participate in the Community Housing Retrofit Program. The program helps save water and reduce water bills by identifying leaks and inefficient fixtures and covers the cost of some repairs. Find out more.
Tell your clients, sponsors and other stake holders that you are a proud member of the peak organisation of the sector in which you work – CHIA Vic badges are now available for Members and Associate Members, to display on their website, emails, annual reports and other digital or printed material.
Major Reforms in Minor Detail:
Mandatory Disclosures
The recent rental reforms introduced new disclosure obligations, which mandate information that must be provided before a rental agreement is signed. These new disclosure requirements mean that CHOs will need to ensure that the relevant information is stored, provided and that evidence of the disclosure is maintained. Read more
AGM Notice
CHIA Vic AGM 24 November 2021 11.30 (online)
You are invited to come along to CHIA Vic’s AGM and join us as we look back on the year that was. In addition to the usual AGM business we are fortunate to have Ben Rimmer as our guest speaker. Ben is the CEO of Homes Vic and the Associate Secretary of DFFH so is responsible for the rollout of the Big Housing Build. Ben’s insights about how the rollout is going and what we can expect in 2022 will be invaluable.
From SDA to SIL & ILO, this is the first major national disability housing conference since 2016.
Over 2 days, expert speakers, practice examples (and a comedian) will unpack NDIA policy and practice and showcase how to design successful housing and support outcomes.
Day 1. SDA: Building Solutions
SDA is a rapidly changing landscape from eligibility to operations, from feasibility to delivery with big implications for every decision. Participants, partners, providers, developers, financiers and family will highlight what’s working and what’s not.
Day 2. Designing Support Services
Housing support is changing scarily fast in SIL, ILO et al. From the participant to the partner, from the frontline to the Board, explore the who, what and how of addressing the tensions between funding limitations and stakeholder needs.
Registrations are now open for the biennial Victorian Homelessness Conference for practitioners, policy makers, frontline workers, managers, and consumers of homelessness services.
At the 2021 Victorian Homelessness Conference, you will hear from eminent international guests about emerging practices and ways of thinking, as well as deep-dive analyses of successful programs.
The conference will be offered in a hybrid form, with both virtual and in-person elements so you can tailor your attendance to suit your schedule and location. Find out more and secure your place.
Each year, through its Non-Profit Fellowship Program, the Harvard Club of Victoria sends up to three CEOs from the Victorian community service sector to Harvard Business School to attend the Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program. Here’s how you can apply.
