Message from the Chair As an organisation whose mission and values are people-centred, it is wonderful to see the many positive pathways our residents have taken over the past year: from pursuing new opportunities in education and employment to incredible stories of independence, community participation and advocacy. Against a backdrop of cost-of-living challenges and the severe housing and homelessness crisis in Australia, we pursued our mission with determination and innovation. In the face of legislative delays, interest rate rises, inflationary and supply chain pressures, we delivered new housing supply through active expansion of our partnerships and thoughtful diversity in our housing delivery and funding models. Our teams across the nation performed extraordinarily well, with successful tenders in significant housing projects in Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania as well as the completion of our first Nightingale Housing project in South Australia. The creation of so many new homes expanded our resident community with operations teams across all states engaging with new Housing Choices tenants and supporting them to achieve successful, stable tenancies. For the first time, the Build to Rent housing class was firmly established as a key component of the housing spectrum in Australia, providing new opportunities for collaboration between public, not-for-profit and commercial housing interests. Housing Choices is well positioned to contribute through the progression of our partnership with Assemble and Super Housing Partnerships to manage their social and a ordable housing projects. It is clearer than ever that the housing supply crisis will only be solved when all parties - housing providers as well as all levels of government and sources of investment and industry commit to working in a collaborative, bipartisan way.
We welcomed David Fisher as our new Chief Executive O cer, replacing Michael Lennon, who stepped down after 12 years at the helm. Michael’s vision and contribution to Housing Choices has been exceptional, as has his contribution to the broader Australian community housing sector. We are fortunate to be able to transition our executive leadership from one capable and inspiring pair of hands to another. David brings extensive executive experience with leading community housing providers in the UK and NSW, commercial and business transformation expertise, strong focus on customer service and is driven by a lifelong passion for social justice and housing. At Board level, we farewelled Sean Nunan and welcomed Amanda Heyworth, an experienced company director with a background in treasury, property and innovation. We undertook governance and group structure reforms to ensure we remain fit for purpose as we look to the future. We progressed significant business transformation planning this year and laid the foundations for our Innovate Reconciliation Plan and a new strategic plan that will be driven by resident impact, our organisational values and framed by the Sustainable Development Goals.
In a year of notable growth and change, we acknowledge with thanks and gratitude the
extraordinary impact of past and present individuals on Housing Choices’ journey towards the ultimate goal - a better and fairer future for people in need of safe and a ordable homes.
Heather McCallum
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Housing Choices Australia Group
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