Architects and HAA to address housing crisis

THE Australian Institute of Architects has teamed up with Housing All Australians (HAA), in a partnership designed to address the country’s worsening social and affordable housing crisis.

The Australian Institute of Architects and the private sector for-purpose initiative HAA have signed a memorandum of understanding outlining joint activities and a process of collaboration to boost Australia’s social and affordable housing supply.

“This new partnership with Housing All Australians is a mechanism through which we as architects can do more to address a growing crisis that effects more and more people every year,” said Tony Giannone, national president of the Institute.

According to the groups, there are currently in excess of 155,000 individuals on waiting lists for social housing which can in some cases drag on for over a decade.

While the 2016 census found that Australia at the time had 116,000 houseless people, which has been anticipated to balloon dramatically by the release of the census results from last year’s survey.

“Access to safe, appropriate and secure housing isn’t a luxury, it is a fundamental human need. This new partnership with Housing All Australians is a mechanism through which we as architects can do more to address a growing crisis that effects more and more people every year,” said Giannone.

The Institute was among many industry bodies to welcome the oppositions proposed plan for a $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund to deliver 20,000 social housing properties over its first five years.

The two organisations intend to develop a private sector led approach to educating the public on the importance of providing shelter to all, no matter economic standing, through a lens of the overall economic benefits for the country.

Additionally, the will jointly advocate the development of a National Housing Continuum Strategy within Infrastructure Australia and encourage architectural practises to take up pro bono participation.

The Institute has also committed to making a significant contribution through its leadership in the architecture profession in its Strategic Plan 2021-2023.

“The partnership builds on our strong advocacy in this area and will help showcase the efforts of individual members to provide lasting solutions that support those in the greatest need,” added Giannone.

HAA also asserted its conviction that “safe, affordable and stable” housing for all Australians should be treated as a fundamental economic infrastructure that would benefit the future of the country as a whole.

The collaboration will also see the organisations agree to and identify impact projects and delivery timeframes, collaborate on the development of relevant strategy and thought leadership, while also supporting coordination efforts with the government.

The Australian Institute of Architects last year joined global building industry leaders in a call for a more urgent transition to net-zero emissions, ahead of the COP26 in Glasgow, by committing to the 1.5ºClimate Actions Communique.