By Danny Dracic, CHL CEO

Australia is experiencing a serious housing crisis and it is not getting any better.  Property prices, private rents and the cost of living continue to rise, while population growth and changing policy settings put even more pressure on the system. For those of us in community housing, the crisis is not a distant issue; it is felt every day by the most vulnerable in our communities.

The numbers are telling the real story. National vacancy rates sit around 1 percent. To keep up, more than 240,000 new homes are needed each year until 2030, yet rising construction costs, supply shortages and inconsistent planning processes present more challenge today than ever before. As of 2024, 169,000 households were still waiting for public or social housing. Even with 426,000 households already in social housing, waiting lists keep growing. We need at least another 240,000 social homes to ensure secure and affordable housing for all Australians.

Community housing providers are part of the solution. Together, we manage more than 120,000 homes, with around 55,000 more in the pipeline. Delivering these projects and tackling future demand requires us to evolve and scale up. The transformation ahead is not optional, it is essential.

At CHL, this means starting with people. Our customers and our team sit at the centre of what we do. We are investing in our people, our systems and our partnerships so we can work smarter, build capacity and support communities with consistency and care. We are strengthening our foundations, not just to grow but to prove a true value for money, safeguard outcomes and make sure that impact goes as far as possible.

That also means changing how we show up and how we do things. Community housing still carries stigma and it is on us to challenge that by telling the real story: well designed, well managed, affordable homes are a community asset. They make neighbourhoods stronger. They give people dignity and a foundation for life.

This is why we have redefined our brand. It is more than a new logo, it is a statement of who we are, what we stand for and where we are heading. Our vision has not changed as we remain committed to creating a world without housing poverty, but we have sharpened our purpose and made our identity reflect the leadership, courage and innovation we bring to the table.

As we face the future, community housing providers must not only deliver more homes but also demonstrate social value, manage risks responsibly and keep people at the heart of decision making. CHL is stepping forward to lead that transformation, with more than 30 years of experience behind us and more than 10,000 properties in the pipeline. We have a clear focus on what lies ahead and we are ready to bring you with us.

For us, it comes down to this: creating the foundations for belonging where lives are strengthened, communities thrive and dreams take root.