On the political agenda

With the GFC looming large in the international community's consciousness, governments around the world came up with various measures to combat its effects.

 

Story by Bryan Holliday

 

The federal government announced a number of stimulus initiatives which focussed on addressing the housing shortage.
In November 2009, the Victorian Department of Housing and the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute convened a conference to explore the challenges facing those working in the Australian housing sector when the issues surrounding public and social housing, homelessness and housing affordability were at the forefront of the political agenda.

The organiser’s anticipated that delegate numbers would be around 800 but such was the importance of the topic that over 1300 attended from around Australia and overseas proving once again the importance of face to face meetings in the digital age.

The conference’s success was based on a winning combination of an important and topical subject matter, outstanding, inspirational and engaging local and international speakers coupled with a strong focus on community engagement. Almost 100 social housing tenants were sponsored to attend the conference and provide real feedback on the issues they face each day and to help shape the agenda for the future of social housing in Australia. For many of these tenants it was their first experience of a conference and their contribution was invaluable to the success of the meeting.

As government measures are introduced over the coming years the real outcomes resulting from the debates launched at this conference will be felt throughout the Australian housing sector. Events such as these are integral in fostering these critical discussions and contribute to significant changes in national policies.