Session spotlight: Bold visions: What is the future for social housing?

Governments across Australia are now making significant–and in some cases unprecedented–investments in social housing. Nevertheless, beyond a general acknowledgement of the importance of safe and affordable housing, there is little long term vision for the role of social housing at a national or state level.

This session, sponsored by Link Wentworth, aims to provoke conversations on the long term future of social housing in Australia. It will present three highly personal visions for social housing in 2050, and challenge us to lift our gaze from the urgency of the day to day to consider the potential for the future of this critical social infrastructure.

Discussion will explore a range of questions, including:

• Who should future social housing in Australia be targeted at?
• What roles should governments play in the delivery and operation of the social housing of the future?
• How should the social housing of the future be paid for?

Session speakers

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Elle Davidson, Zion Engagement and Planning

Elle Davidson is a Balanggarra woman from the East Kimberley and descendant of Captain William Bligh, and describes herself as being caught in the cross-winds of Australia’s history. Elle is the Director of Zion Engagement and Planning, an Aboriginal training and consulting business, and an Aboriginal Planning Lecturer at The University of Sydney. Elle uses her experience and qualifications to create a strong platform for Aboriginal voices in the planning process, and builds allies to advocate for community.

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Professor Michael Lennon, Adelaide University

Professor Michael Lennon is the current inaugural Chair in Regional Housing and Planning at Adelaide University, and member of a range of teams and councils within Australia's housing sector. With four decades of experience in government, executive management, governance, affordable housing innovation and public policy development, Michael provides high-level counsel to all levels of government, and input to a wide range of housing and planning matters.

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Rob McGauran, MGS Architects

Rob McGauran is Co-Founder and Principal at MGS Architects, which he has cemented as the leading Australian Design Practice for University master planning. His affordable housing work over three decades includes policy development, committee and board roles in leading Community Housing Organisations and Government, and impactful housing projects. In his career, Rob seeks to engage with the big challenges facing our communities and the cities they inhabit.