Seminar on Innovation in Affordable Housing - June 2010
On the 8th June the SGS Canberra office hosted a seminar on innovation in affordable housing, held at Old Parliament House. Three prominent speakers, Michael Lennon, Vivienne Milligan, and Carol Croce provided their insights into this important social policy issue.
Michael Lennon, CEO of Housing Choices Australia and an associate of SGS, presented ‘The Delivery of Agreed Housing Reforms - some considerations'. After highlighting key reform agendas and the feasibility of implementing nationwide policy agendas, he outlined some scope for reform within the federal policy environment and identified emerging opportunities for policy initiatives in affordable housing.
Vivienne Milligan, Associate Professor from the NSW University City Futures Research Centre, presented ‘The affordable housing model: policy and practice'. While focusing on the Australian affordable housing market, she also provided a comparative analysis with international models. Vivienne highlighted some inherent weaknesses of the contemporary affordable housing market, but also provided recommendations for policy makers and practitioners to elevate the quality and efficiency of affordable housing in Australia.
Carol Croce, the Executive Director of Community Housing Federation of Australia (CHFA) completed the night of presentations with ‘Alternative Housing Models: A view from the ground' - a pictorial overview of projects under construction or already completed throughout Australia. Carol highlighted several innovative initiatives which have been successful in combining social equity initiatives with quality design whilst still being affordable to low income residents.
Fundamental questions stemmed from the speakers' insights and observations
• What is the scope and future potential of the affordable housing industry in Australia?
• To what extent will new ideas and innovation within the industry allow policy makers to move away from traditional models, concepts and market mechanisms?
• What are the current failures and how can they be rectified?
• What are the current benefits and /or positive outcomes ensuing from government policy?
Whilst the answers to these questions are detailed and quite complex on a policy level, the SGS seminar provided several feasible recommendations for pathways into effective reform.
Download Micheal Lennon's presentation 'The Delivery of Agreed Housing Reforms - some considerations'
Download Vivienne Milligan's presentation ‘The affordable housing model: policy and practice'
Download Carol Croce's presentation ‘Alternative Housing Models: A view from the ground'