About the Conference

The EMHE Affordable Housing Conference is a transformative gathering designed to address the importance of safe housing, family stability, mental wellness, community development, and economic empowerment. The conference brings together policymakers, community leaders, nonprofit organizations, educators, healthcare professionals, faith‑based institutions, investors, and families to discuss practical solutions that create sustainable and thriving communities.

Housing is a global challenge, and the crisis is most acute in Australia’s fast‑growing urban corridors – particularly in South‑East Queensland, where rapid population growth, inter‑state migration, and a chronic shortage of affordable housing demand urgent, localised, and actionable solutions. Conferences and convenings worldwide are increasingly prioritising these realities, focusing on upgrading informal housing, unlocking inclusive financing models, promoting sustainable building technologies, and designing policy frameworks that stimulate public‑private partnerships. The EMHE Affordable Housing Conference embraces this global perspective, recognising that the challenges and innovations emerging from cities across Australia, the Asia‑Pacific, and beyond offer valuable lessons for housing advocates everywhere.

The conference emphasises that a home is more than shelter—it is the foundation of dignity, security, education, health, and economic growth. Through keynote sessions, panel discussions, workshops, networking forums, and community engagement activities, participants will collaborate on strategies that improve housing accessibility, strengthen families, and empower underserved populations.

Conference Theme

“Building Sustainable Foundations: Scaling Affordable and Climate‑Resilient Housing in Australia”

This year’s conference will explore the intersection of affordability, sustainability, and innovation in the housing sector. With a focus on Queensland and the broader Australian context, we will examine how federal and state governments, international financial institutions, superannuation funds, and private developers can collaborate to create housing solutions that are both affordable and environmentally responsible.

Addressing the Housing Crisis in Australia and the Asia‑Pacific

Key themes that will be explored at this year’s conference include policy and regulatory frameworks, focusing on aligning state‑based planning laws, streamlining development approvals, and reforming taxation settings to incentivise supply. Innovative financing will be examined through leveraging the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC), bond aggregators, build‑to‑rent models, and superannuation partnerships. Sustainable construction will be addressed through implementing energy‑efficient materials, NatHERS ratings, and modular building techniques suited for Queensland’s subtropical and cyclone‑prone climates.

The conference will also address urban densification and transit‑oriented development through strategies for well‑planned medium‑density housing, participatory community engagement, and integrating essential infrastructure such as public transport, water, and green space. Alternative and scalable housing finance will be examined through overcoming barriers to traditional mortgages via shared equity schemes, rent‑to‑own programmes, and micro‑finance tailored for essential workers and First Nations communities.

Major global and regional convenings continue to shape agendas that reflect these realities. Whether your focus is policy formulation, real estate development, or community‑level advocacy, we invite you to join us in shaping a future where safe, dignified, and sustainable housing is a reality for all.

Why Attend

Our conference is designed to bring together the full spectrum of housing professionals, from the boardroom to the building site, from policy halls to community centers. Whether you are a developer, investor, policymaker, advocate, or academic, this event offers practical insights and meaningful connections tailored to your role.

Developers and Homebuilders will walk away with a deeper understanding of zoning reforms, innovative building strategies, and how to structure successful public‑private partnerships that get projects off the ground – particularly in the booming South‑East Queensland corridor. Investors and Lenders will have the opportunity to explore project funding pipelines, understand complex capital stacks, and learn about bond funding, superannuation co‑investment, and other financing mechanisms that make affordable housing viable in Australia’s current economic climate. Policymakers and Government Officials will engage in critical conversations about community development, infrastructure frameworks, and the regulatory reforms needed to unlock housing at scale, with input from federal, state, and local government leaders. Nonprofits and Advocates will find a space to network with like‑minded partners, access grant opportunities, and amplify their voice in the affordable housing conversation – particularly regarding First Nations housing and support for vulnerable cohorts. Academics and Researchers will find dedicated sessions exploring the unique challenges and solutions for housing in Australian cities, regional centres, and remote communities.

What makes the EMHE Affordable Housing Conference truly unique is our holistic approach. While many events focus narrowly on finance or policy, we bring together the entire housing ecosystem under one roof. Our three‑day programme is carefully curated to bridge the gap between global trends and local action, between innovative financing and on‑the‑ground implementation, and between policy vision and community reality.

Attendees will not only gain access to world‑class speakers and thought leaders but will also participate in interactive workshops, strategy sessions, and networking forums designed to turn ideas into action. Whether you are exploring climate‑resilient building materials, seeking partners for a new development, or shaping the next generation of housing policy, this conference provides the platform, the people, and the practical tools you need to make a lasting impact.

We also place a strong emphasis on actionable outcomes. Our third day is dedicated entirely to the presentation of action plans, commitment announcements, and partnership building. This ensures that every participant leaves not just inspired, but equipped with concrete next steps.

Invited Speakers

Professor Nicole Gurran
Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Sydney; Director, Henry Halloran Urban & Regional Research Initiative
Topic: Planning Reform and Inclusionary Tools for Queensland

Kate Colvin
Chief Executive Officer, Homelessness Australia
Topic: Ending Homelessness in a Growing Economy

Jody Broun
Consultant; Yindjibarndi woman; former Chief Executive, Aboriginal Housing Office (NSW) and former Executive Director, Aboriginal Housing and Infrastructure (WA)
Topic: First Nations Housing Self‑Determination and Culturally Supportive Models

Dr. Michael Fotheringham
Managing Director, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI)
Topic: National Housing Futures – Research to Action

Shane Phillips
Author, The Affordable City; Urban Planner; Housing Initiative Lead, UCLA Lewis Center
Topic: Innovative Models for Affordable Rental Housing

Emeritus Professor Hal Pawson
Professor of Housing Research and Policy (Emeritus), UNSW Sydney; Associate Director, City Futures Research Centre
Topic: Reimagining Social Housing for the Next Generation

Mark Degotardi
Chief Executive Officer, Australian Community Housing (formerly CEO, CHIA NSW)
Topic: Building a Stronger Community Housing Industry – Policy and Investment

Sarah Toohey
Chief Executive Officer, Community Housing Industry Association Victoria (CHIA Vic)
Topic: Delivering Social and Affordable Housing at Scale

Michael Lennon
Managing Director, Housing Choices Australia; pre‑eminent figure in affordable and community housing with 40+ years experience
Topic: Affordable Housing Finance and Public‑Private Partnerships

Agenda

Day 1 – Policy, Needs, and Financial Frameworks
December 16, 2026

Morning sessions include registration and networking coffee, an opening keynote on “The State of Housing Affordability in Australia – 2026 Update,” and a federal‑state ministerial panel on land release, infrastructure funding, and reducing development red tape in Queensland. Late morning features a networking coffee and exhibition walk, followed by parallel sessions on financing models (NHFIC, superannuation partnerships) and legal hurdles in property rights and tenancy reform. Afternoon sessions include a lunch break and investor matchmaking roundtables for B2G and B2B capital alignment. The evening concludes with an official welcome dinner and networking gala at the Brisbane Convention Centre.

Day 2 – Innovation, Implementation, and Sustainable Solutions
December 17, 2026

Morning sessions include a tech and design plenary on green architecture, energy retrofitting, and climate‑resilient building for subtropical and cyclone‑prone zones, followed by a coffee break and case studies presentations on successful low‑cost social housing models from across Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia‑Pacific. Afternoon sessions feature breakout workshops on community‑led housing initiatives (including First Nations models), affordable housing technology solutions (off‑site manufacturing, digital twins), and financing mechanisms for sustainable development (green bonds, ESG investment). The evening concludes with a cultural showcase and networking reception overlooking the Brisbane River.

Day 3 – Action Plans and Future Commitments
December 18, 2026

Morning sessions include an inspirational address titled “Creating Hope Through Community Action” and interactive strategy workshops focused on implementing the Brisbane 2032 Olympic housing legacy and addressing regional housing shortages in Queensland. Afternoon sessions feature the presentation of action plans, commitment and partnership announcements, and the closing ceremony, followed by optional technical site visits to local urban development projects (including the Olympic athlete village and affordable housing precincts) on December 19, 2026.

Registration

Regular – $300 USD
VIP – $600 USD (includes exclusive networking dinner, front‑row seating, and post‑conference report)