Attended by architects, developers, students, investors, housing providers and interested community members, the Affordable Housing Matters Forum took place on Friday 6 October 2023 at Kensington Town Hall.
As inaugural director of the Small Homes Service, Robin Boyd worked to democratise design by offering low-cost, high-quality architectural documentation for housing, which could be purchased for a modest £5. The initiative was an unprecedented collaboration, bringing together the unlikely partners of the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects, Myer department store and The Age.
Just as the Small Homes Service emerged at a time of great housing need, innovative design thinking and cross-sectoral partnerships are required now to address the structural factors that have caused declining affordability in Australia today. The Affordable Housing Matters Forum aimed to inspire new solutions and advocate for a coordinated effort across disciplines to address the current housing crisis.
Reflecting on presentations and discussions the Robin Boyd Foundation offers the linked statement and is committed to continuing the conversation on affordable housing.
We’ve also collated a resource of reports, briefings, books and journal articles on affordable and social housing worldwide.
The Affordable Housing Matters Forum is now available on demand.
Individual Sessions/Audio Recording & Transcript: $25.00 each
Full Day/Audio Recording & Transcripts: $75.00
Purchase below or via our online store.
Upon payment you will receive an email with a link to the audio recording and transcript providing 12 months access. Sessions range from 1 to 2 hours.
Affordable Housing Matters Forum Full Day.
Sessions 1, 2 and 3 as per the below.
Session 1:
Associate Prof Rory Hyde, University of Melbourne
Richard Denniss, Australian Institute (ACT)
Creating Supply & Directing Investment
Convenor Introduction Jennifer Kulas, Housing Choices
Prof Michael Lennon, National Housing Supply and Affordability Council / Regional Housing and Planning, University of South Australia (SA)
Dr Ryan Van Den Nouwelant, City Futures, UNSW Sydney (NSW)
Dr Jonathan Spear, Infrastructure Victoria
Rian Branthwaite, Aboriginal Housing Victoria (Absent, Lisa Briggs, Aboriginal Housing Victoria)
Panel Discussion + Q&A
Session 2:
Meeting Diverse & Growing Demand
Convenor introduction Rob McGauran, MGS Architects
Prof Nigel Bertram, N M B W Architecture
Jeanette Large, Women’s Property Initiatives
Nick Bourns, NH Architecture
Nemesia Kennett, Nightingale Housing (Substitute for Sophie Dyring, Schored Projects)
Panel Discussion + Q&A
Session 3:
Design-led Innovation
Convenor Introduction Rebecca Roke, RMIT University
Katherine Sundermann, MGS Architects / Monash University / Urban Design Forum
Jake Milgrom-Marabel, Tripple
Genevieve Zoe Murray, Future Method Studio (NSW)
Jeremy McLeod, Breathe Architecture
Panel Discussion + Q&A
Presented by the Robin Boyd Foundation and guest curator Jennifer Kulas the Affordable Housing Matters Forum is generously supported by the Office of the Victorian Government Architect, City of Melbourne and Brickworks Building Products.