Community housing providers manage a $18 billion-plus portfolio of more than 118,000 rental properties, which are home to people who are on low and moderate incomes who find it hard to access affordable or appropriate housing in the private market.

On behalf of our members, CHIA undertakes research, policy development and advocacy in relation to social and affordable housing issues.

Based on national and international evidence, CHIA’s core argument is that the much needed growth and development of the Australian affordable housing system can only be achieved if the community housing industry is empowered to play a significantly expanded role.

CHIA has created a useful infographic on the sector which can be downloaded using the button below.

GET IN TOUCH DOWNLOAD INFOGRAPHIC

Our Advocacy

The clear need for a single independent voice for the community housing industry on national issues led to the establishment of the Community Housing Industry Association in 2015. CHIA’s founders wanted to create a member-funded organization that could leverage the expertise and resources of the network of state and territory peak bodies to support the sector and improve the quality of housing and other services provided to community housing tenants throughout Australia.

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Our Ethos

Our vision is to foster a world-class community housing industry in Australia.

Our purpose is to lead, represent and advocate for the Australian community housing industry at a national level.

Our Board

stephen bevington

STEPHEN BEVINGTON

Stephen Bevington, National Director Stephen is the Managing Director of Community Housing Ltd. A re...

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ANDREW ELVIN

ANDREW ELVIN

Andrew Elvin, Region Director Queensland. Andrew is the CEO and Managing Director Purpose Real Estat...

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James King

JAMES KING

James King, Region Director Victoria James is highly experienced in the areas of construction manage...

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LEONIE KING

LEONIE KING

Leonie King, National Director Leonie is the CEO of City West Housing. City West Housing is a Tier 1...

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CHARLES NORTHCOTE

Charles Northcote, Region Director NSW Charles brings over 35 years’ of international leadership a...

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Rebecca Oelkers

REBECCA OELKERS; DEPUTY CHAIR

Rebecca Oelkers, National Director Rebecca Oelkers is Brisbane Housing Company’s Chief Executive O...

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GEOFF SLACK

Geoff Slack, Region Director South Australia Geoff is currently the Chair of the Community Housing C...

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Christopher Smith

CHRIS SMITH; CHAIR

Chris is the CEO of Foundation Housing Limited and brings a wealth of senior and executive managemen...

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Karen Walsh

KAREN WALSH

Karen Walsh, Region Director Northern Territory Karen is the CEO of Venture Housing and her 30 year ...

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MEGAN WARD

Megan Ward, Region Director ACT Megan is the Chief Operating Officer at Community Housing Canberra (...

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Our Staff

CHIA’s day-to-day operations are headed by our highly-experienced CEO Wendy Hayhurst, backed by a two-person communications and administration team.

WENDY HAYHURST

Chief Executive

Wendy spent was appointed in March 2019 as CEO at the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) the peak body representing not for profit community housing organisations across Australia. Previously she led CHIA NSW – the state peak - for four years. Wendy has spent almost her entire career in social and affordable housing – working her way from the front line to a non-executive directorship and senior managerial roles in a wide range of housing provider organisations, regulatory bodies, specialist consultancies and performance benchmarking organisations. She has in-depth knowledge and experience of the NSW, national and international community housing sector through her work with the NSW Regulator, in shaping and administering the National Regulatory System and her work in the United Kingdom. Wendy has an Executive Masters in Public Administration taught through the Australian and New Zealand School of Government. She also has a Postgraduate Diploma in Housing awarded by the Chartered Institute of Housing in the UK.

JOANNA FORMAN

Business Manager

Joanna began in the role of Business Manager in September 2019. An experienced communications, fundraising and administration all rounder she is a full time addition to the CHIA National team.