URGENT UPDATE: A groundbreaking summit at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has sparked a vital discussion on affordable housing solutions for Australians facing a housing crisis. The Australian Co-operative Housing Alliance gathered politicians, international leaders, and local innovators on Thursday to advocate for community-run co-operative housing as a potential remedy for the nation’s escalating housing nightmare.
With home ownership slipping out of reach for many, the alliance is pushing co-ops as a “missing piece” of Australia’s affordable housing puzzle. Notably, over 250,000 people in Canada reside in co-operative housing, while co-ops account for nearly 60 percent of Switzerland’s non-profit rental market and 17 percent of Sweden’s total housing. Despite the urgent need, co-op properties in Australia represent less than 0.1 percent of the housing market, with the alliance managing approximately 3,500 properties worth nearly $2 billion.
During the summit, alliance chair Liz Thomas emphasized that policy-makers must not remain “agnostic” about affordable housing options. She urged, “In the United Kingdom, Canada, across Europe and around the world, co-ops are proving that housing can be done differently, at scale, sustainably and with people at the centre.”
Federal social housing envoy Josh Burns highlighted the pressing need for innovative solutions as he acknowledged the rising trends of housing insecurity and declining home ownership. “Housing is not about bricks and mortar,” he stated. “It’s about safety, it’s about security, it’s about the foundations of life.” Burns, representing the Macnamara electorate, revealed that nearly half of his constituents live in rentals, a figure that is “skyrocketing.”
With the federal government’s $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator and $10.9 billion Housing Australia Future Fund poised to increase housing supply, Burns signaled openness to incorporating co-op housing into the national strategy. “We’re keen to ensure co-op housing organisations are not excluded,” he affirmed, emphasizing the need for a level playing field.
As the crisis deepens, the voices at the summit are calling for immediate action. The third round of the Housing Australia Future Fund is set to open soon, presenting a crucial opportunity for co-op advocates to make their case. The urgency of this initiative cannot be overstated, as many Australians continue to grapple with the realities of housing insecurity.
This summit is not just a conversation; it represents a potential turning point in Australia’s approach to housing. With international examples proving effective, the push for cooperative housing could very well reshape the future of affordable living in Australia. Stay tuned for more updates as this vital story develops.
