Social and Affordable Housing Industry Induction

This lively, engaging and informative workshop provides a comprehensive understanding of the Australasian social and affordable housing industry.

• What are the key housing challenges facing lower income and disadvantaged people, and how are they being addressed?
• What roles are played by public, not-for-profit and private sector organisations?
• And how can I navigate my way through the industry and help make a difference?

Ahi events are scheduled in the time zone in which they are held or hosted and may vary dependent on your location.

Please use the add to calendar option below the time to check if a time difference applies to your location.

1. Pre-course questionnaire
2. 3-hour online workshop via Zoom - including polling on hot-topic issues; video clips; group activity in breakout rooms; 'you can ask that' Q&A with the Presenter
3.  Post-course workbook

Zoom join details and passcode are sent to registered attendees the day prior to the workshop.

The housing system

• The 'housing continuum', housing tenure and 'housing careers'
• Housing affordability and affordable housing

Social housing organisations

• Origins and current mix between public, not-for-profit & private providers. Which are the larger social housing providers in Australasia?
• Why and how has the not-for-profit sector grown, how is it funded and regulated?
• Locations, age and typical building type of social housing. Issues with social housing concentration, and the need for property renewals
• Funding mechanisms of social housing providers
•  Profile of people living in social housing, and their income sources
• Core activities: tenancy management and asset management
• Newer activities: property development, community development, tenant empowerment  and others

Innovations to improve housing affordability

• Use of the planning system
• Cross-subsidy from the sale of new homes to deliver new affordable rental housing
• Bank finance
• Affordable rental housing

The wider industry

• Peak bodies, industry associations and professional bodies
• Organisations supporting the sector: banks, consultants, service providers, professional firms etc. How to access their services and ensure value for money

My housing career

• What types of people work in the industry, from what backgrounds?
• Typical career pathways, moves within the sector, related industries
• Professional development: membership organisations (both housing and in related areas such as AICD, UDIA etc.); courses; qualifications (in housing and related topics)
• Sources of news and research

At the end of this training attendees will have:

• Understand key terms and jargon used in the sector
• Identify sector organisations: public housing agencies, community housing providers, private developers, planners and service providers
• Know where to gain further sector knowledge and updates
• Plan your career working for an organisation in the sector, or identify how you can support these organisations as board member, consultant, service provider, researcher or policy maker

• Recently recruited public/community housing staff, managers, directors
• Existing public and community housing staff, managers and directors who need a refresher, or want to gain a broader perspective on the sector
• Private sector affordable housing developers
• National government, state government and local council policy staff involved in promoting delivery of social and affordable housing
• Housing academics and researchers; peak and industry body staff; affordable housing financiers; housing consultants, housing IT and other service providers

The workshop will be of relevance to people working in all Australian states and territories, and New Zealand. No prior housing knowledge is assumed