Chris Smith

Facilitator

Chris Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of Foundation Housing, one of Western Australia’s largest community housing providers.
With more than 20 years’ experience in commercial business and investment management, Chris brings a strong strategic and financial lens to the delivery of social and affordable housing.

As CEO since 2019, Chris has led Foundation Housing through a period of major growth and innovation — launching WA’s first affordable housing portfolio for key and essential workers and securing $280 million through the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFFF) to deliver nearly 400 new homes across Perth.

Chris is deeply committed to improving the lives of tenants through the delivery of innovative housing models for people on low to moderate incomes, underpinned by Foundation Housing’s Positive Tenancy Framework — which supports long-term, sustainable housing outcomes.

A passionate advocate for housing system reform and new investment pathways, Chris serves as a Director of Australian Community Housing, the national peak body representing the sector. He is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.