Session spotlight: Social Capital: social housing finance models, risks and learnings

The financing of social housing has become increasingly complex, with a growing range of different funding sources, models, and partnerships emerging across the country. As these developments arise throughout state and territory governments, the Commonwealth, providers and agencies, how should social housing providers determine which financing options best suit their scale, context and direction?

This Major Concurrent session will compare various funding models in the housing sector, highlighting their risks and benefits. Our speakers will provide insights from implementing these models, preparing community housing providers and investors to navigate funding streams and maximise benefits.

Discussion will explore a range of questions, including:

• What opportunities are emerging for social housing financing, and what are their relative risks and benefits?
• What are the legal and regulatory implications of different financing approaches for social housing?
• What opportunities are there for further innovation and increased financing of social housing provision?

Session speakers

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Scott Langford, Housing Australia

Scott Langford has over 20 years’ experience in housing development, management, and investment across both the private and community housing sectors. He advocates for affordable housing as the cornerstone of a healthy housing system and believes pathways to home ownership are vital for social and economic wellbeing. A Chartered Surveyor (MRICS), Scott holds an MBA, a property development qualification, and is a Fellow of AICD.

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Lee Monik, Community Housing Limited

Lee Monik is an accomplished governance professional with experience in corporate law, property development, project finance, financial services, and community housing. As Chief Governance Officer (General Counsel) at Community Housing Limited, Lee provides executive leadership across legal, compliance, and risk functions. Lee holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of International Relations; he is an Associate Member of the Governance Institute of Australia, possesses a current Legal Practising Certificate, and is admitted to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria.

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Shaun Whittaker, Hall & Wilcox

Shaun Whittaker has extensive experience advising on the structuring, delivery and financing of social and affordable housing projects in every jurisdiction across Australia. He has advised on all the major state and federal funding programs over the past decade and has unique insight on the challenges and benefits that each of these programs has delivered to the community housing sector. His clients include Australia’s leading community housing providers and the two peak industry bodies for the community housing sector.