🎥 This morning on ABC News Breakfast, ACHA Chair Liz Thomas highlighted the powerful role that co-operative housing can play in addressing Australia’s housing crisis.
Liz explained how co-ops offer a unique model of secure, affordable housing — one that shifts the balance of power from landlords to residents. Rent is based on income, residents have long-term tenure, and communities actively manage their own housing.
Across Australia, co-operative housing makes up less than 1% of the housing stock. ACHA is advocating to increase this to 10%, learning from international examples where co-ops are a mainstream housing option.
Liz highlighted recent research from the University of Western Sydney showing that people living in co-ops experience improved wellbeing, greater access to education and employment, and a stronger sense of community and personal agency. However, demand continues to outstrip supply, with a 10-year waiting list in Victoria — driven by a low turnover rate, with only 2% of co-op members moving on each year.
Internationally, governments are stepping up, with Canada and the UK recently announcing major investments in co-operative housing. It’s time for Australia to follow suit and invest in secure, community-led housing solutions.
🎬 Watch the full interview to learn more about how co-ops can help create a more equitable housing system.