Everyone needs a safe, secure and affordable place to call home.

We are very excited to share that we are organising an Affordable Housing 'Local Solutions' Forum on Saturday 3 August 2024 at the Bellingen Memorial Hall.

Our two previous forums, back in 2018 and 2019, were key to our story — they helped us connect with community, develop our organisation and work program, and link up with key thinkers and doers in the housing innovation space. Fast forward to 2024, and we think it is time to go back to community, share important updates on our key projects, and invite people to get involved where they can. 

We are thrilled that esteemed financial journalist, Alan Kohler, is our Forum keynote speaker.

You may recall Alan's recent piece in the Quarterly Essay, 'The Great Divide: Australia's Housing Mess and How to Fix It,' which unpacked what went wrong with the Australian housing market over the twentieth century.

We look forward to Alan sharing his thoughtful and engaging analysis with us, and helping us think through the local implications of these macro trends. 

FBI’s Affordable Housing development for older, single women.

Big thanks to the Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution (RFBI) and all who came to hear about the affordable housing project for single women over 55 in Bellingen.

The RFBI is still seeking expressions of interest from single, older women (55+ years) who are looking for affordable rental housing. 

Keen to register your interest?

You can download and complete the RFBI’s EOI form here. The RFBI has also developed a ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ factsheet that can be accessed here.  

For further assistance please email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or the RFBI directly on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Housing Roundtable with The Hon. Rose Jackson MLC:

 We recently had the opportunity to host a housing roundtable with The Hon. Rose Jackson MLC, who is the Minister for Housing and Homelessness and the Minister for North Coast.

We were also joined by Mr Michael Kemp, MP for Oxley; Bellingen Shire Mayor Steve Allan; Mark Griffioen, Bellingen Shire Council's General Manager; Mark Smyth, Banana Coast Union's General Manager; and Jo Taylor, Siddle Family Foundation's CEO. 

The meeting was action-focused and very positive with the Minister offering to enable our work in a range of important ways.

We covered our key projects, including the Waterfall Way Community Land Trust and the Royal Freemasons' affordable housing project for single women over 55 years. 

Since that initial roundtable, we have continued to collaborate with the Minister's team, who are very receptive to the need for community-led affordable housing projects. 

We want to thank everyone who participated in the housing roundtable for their shared commitment to developing local solutions to the housing crisis - because together we can make a difference!

Housing System Learning Circle: 

Last month's Learning Circle was a well-attended CLT 101 workshop facilitated by Kerry Pearse, who is leading our Waterfall Way Community Land Trust (CLT) Establishment Project.

The next session will focus on their governance structure, including a deep-dive on how a CLT's board operates and decision-making. 

Miss the first session? Please reach out and we can catch you up for the next workshop. 

Date: Thursday 4th April 4.30 – 6.00 pm

Venue: Bellingen Stables, 6a Church Street Lane, Bellingen

RSVP: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Value of Housing Co-Operatives in Australia:

One of our founding members, Yvonne Jenkins, recently travelled to Sydney to speak at the launch of a research project on the value of the housing co-op model in Australia.

The research project was led by our colleague, Louise Crabtree-Hayes at Western Sydney University. Over 20 years ago, Yvonne helped develop BRANCH — Bellinger River and Neighbourhood Co-op Housing — which provides secure and affordable homes to 9 families and households across the Bellingen township.

The rental housing co-op model is a big deal in many overseas settings, for instance, around 20% of Vienna's housing market is affordable rental cooperatives with strong public and private finance support.

The systemic provision of affordable homes helps make Vienna the most liveable city on the world!

With Australia's housing market in crisis, the research project is a timely contribution that highlights a model with a proven track record in the delivery of community-led affordable homes.

We hope the paper's recommendations are heeded and government is able to grow the housing co-op sector moving forward!

Heads-up: we are planning a future Learning Circle workshop that will unpack the key differences between innovative housing models, such as rental co-ops, co-housing and CLTs.  Keep visiting our website for details.

Want to help establishment a Community Land Trust (CLT) ?

Want to help drive the establishment of a Community Land Trust in the Bellingen Shire and surrounds?

Then consider joining our CLT Working Group that meets once a month and is open to all. The group is an important forum for community consultation and engagement that enables residents to help shape and drive the project.

Each meeting, we review key parts of the model and how they should be implemented locally. 

The next meeting is Friday 12 April 2.30 - 4.30 PM.

Please reach out to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more info. 

Above | CLT Working Group meeting:

More At | housingmatters.org.au/