Every housing project depends on more than land, finance and construction. Behind the homes are organisations that understand their communities, people who know how to navigate complex funding and development environments, boards and leaders making decisions about risk and growth, and partnerships that often take years to build. Across our recent regional visits in the Wheatbelt and consultation for the Community Housing Futures WA Learning and Development Hub, we have been hearing how much of that capability already exists across Western Australia. We have also heard a strong appetite to build on it as organisations respond to new housing pressures, new opportunities and a changing delivery environment. 

In regional communities, housing shortages are affecting more than access to a home. Organisations have spoken about the impact on workforce attraction and retention, aged care, community services and the ability of people to stay connected to their communities. Aboriginal organisations have also shared strong interest in housing solutions that are designed, governed and led by Aboriginal communities, with a clear focus on self-determination and local decision-making. These conversations are giving CHFWA a broader view of what capability means in practice. It includes development and financial expertise, and it also includes local knowledge, cultural authority, strong governance, workforce depth, practical systems and the relationships that allow organisations to work together when opportunities arise. 

Our regional engagement will continue in the Great Southern, with CHFWA heading to Albany for a series of events and conversations on 7, 8 and 9 October. These visits are an important opportunity to hear directly from local organisations about the housing context in their region, the opportunities they see and the capability priorities that should inform CHFWA’s work. 

Visit our event page to register.

Designing the Learning and Development Hub around the work 

The Hub is being designed around the work people are doing and the work they expect to be doing in the future. Through surveys, workshops and direct conversations, we are asking where knowledge already exists, where access to that knowledge could be easier, what practical resources would save organisations time and where people see opportunities for stronger professional and career pathways. 

The feedback has been broad and practical. People have identified tools and templates, access to specialist knowledge, peer learning, communities of practice and stronger career pathways. There is also interest in knowing what already exists across the sector, so organisations can find and use good resources without recreating work that has already been done elsewhere. 

That gives us a useful direction for the Hub. Learning and development can include formal training, and it can also include access to tested resources, mentoring, professional networks, practical tools and opportunities to learn directly from others with relevant experience. The aim is to create something that reflects how people actually build capability in their work. 

It also means recognising the expertise already present across community housing. There is a significant amount of knowledge sitting within organisations and among people who have spent years working through the challenges of housing delivery, management, finance, development and community engagement. Part of the opportunity is to make that knowledge easier to find, share and apply across the sector. 

Help shape the Learning and Development Hub 

Consultation on the CHFWA Learning and Development Hub remains open, and we are particularly keen to hear from Aboriginal Community Housing Organisations (ACHOs), Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs), community housing providers, and regional organisations. 

Workshop:

Help Shape Future Career Pathways & Professional Development for the Community Housing Sector – Workshop 2

Surveys:

Sector Learning and Capability Needs Survey 
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=MWFkmyuYo0ewL7ybROSvLT2kDCug4ndJl50Hx37VQhpUQkpTV1RDMlJUUkgwMk1ON0tXQ0hVSDFTRC4u 

Career Pathway and Professional Development Survey 
https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=MWFkmyuYo0ewL7ybROSvLT2kDCug4ndJl50Hx37VQhpUMTY2UUlMOFo4TjlVRjFDNExMOFhaV1c0OS4u 

Ready to do more in housing? 

The CHFWA Growth Readiness Assessment is available to organisations interested in exploring housing opportunities and future growth. To participate, organisations submit an Expression of Interest (EOI). An independent assessor will then work with your organisation to complete the assessment and provide tailored insights into your current position and potential next steps. 

Whether you’re just beginning to explore housing or considering future growth opportunities, the GRA can help inform your organisation’s journey. 

Submit an Expression of Interest today. 

If you have questions about the Learning and Development Hub, would like to discuss the regional visits, or are interested in CHFWA visiting your region, please reach out to the CHFWA team at team@chfwa.org.au . We would be happy to continue the conversation.