AHURI Discussion Series: Private sector involvement in social and affordable housing

In late 2022 AHURI published the research report Private sector involvement in social and affordable housing, just days before the Federal Government announced the National Housing Accord. The research identified a range of models private sector investors and developers are using to finance or deliver social and affordable housing across different market segments and tenures in Australia and internationally.

The Sydney AHURI Discussion Series: Private sector involvement in social and affordable housing proudly brought to you by Lendlease, brought together a range of perspectives, including finance and investment, project delivery, community housing provision, and policy and planning, with an emphasis on lessons learned and insights gained in delivering these projects.

Confirmed speakers:

Richard Benedict, Research Associate, Sydney University

Richard has over 30 years of experience working in the private, government and not-for-profit housing sectors in Australia and the United States.

Richard has advised Cabinets, Ministers and Department Heads in NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and the Northern Territory on housing strategies, policies, and programs. He has worked with developers, investment funds, government and not for profit groups to develop and evaluate joint venture mixed income housing projects.

 He is currently Research Associate at the University of Sydney undertaking research into social, affordable and indigenous housing. He is also Director of Richard Benedict Consulting, advising government, not for profit and private agencies on cross sector projects to create positive social impact.

Carrie Hamilton, Consultant

Carrie Hamilton has over 20 years’ experience in affordable housing finance in the US and Australia. She contributed to the establishment of both the NRAS in 2008 and the NHFIC bond aggregator in 2018 and has served on Ministerial Advisory Committees at the State and Commonwealth levels. Carrie holds a Master of City Planning and previously applied her expertise at Macquarie in public-private partnerships. She continues to support CHP/investment industry program co-design and consults on the intersection of affordable housing and the Circular Economy.

Cameron Jackson, General Manager Development NSW, Frasers Property Australia

Cameron Jackson oversees Frasers Property Australia’s NSW development portfolio across all operational sectors.  With over 20 years’ experience in the property industry, Cameron has been involved in the design and delivery of several landmark projects including Fairwater at Blacktown, Tailor's Walk at Botany and Midtown MacPark. Cameron’s extensive expertise includes strategic front-end planning and project visioning for large scale residential and mixed-use developments, urban design, master-planning and community stakeholder engagement, and urban renewal, including complex heritage restorative design and restoration works.

Cameron has been a UDIA NSW Councillor between 2014 and 2019 and was Chairperson of the Urban Development committee from 2017 to 2019. He also served as UDIA NSW Vice President between 2017 to 2019.

Peter Johnston, Managing Director, Lighthouse Infrastructure

Peter joined Lighthouse Infrastructure in 2016 as a Managing Director where he is responsible for the investment process and management of the business. Peter also has responsibility for portfolio management and growth initiatives for Lighthouse and is a member of Lighthouse’s Investment Committee.

Peter has over 25 years’ experience in infrastructure investment and management. His diverse career has involved management of investment funds, working in listed and unlisted markets, inside infrastructure businesses and extensive investments and transactions in Australia, Europe and North America.

Alisi Tutuila, Chairperson, Aboriginal Housing Company

Alisi Tutuila is a proud Wormi woman from Karuah. She is the Chairperson for the Aboriginal Housing Company and has been working in the affordable housing space for the last 13 years. Alisi alongside her team have been instrumental in delivering 62 housing dwellings for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families in Redfern through the delivery of the UDIA Pemulwuy project. Alisi is also the CEO of Aspire Indigenous and holds various board capacities across early child hood and community sectors. 

Facilitator

Dr Tom Alves, Head of Development, AHURI

Tom leads the Professional Services and Strategic Initiatives components of AHURI's business. As Head of Development, he works closely with AHURI’s University partners, Australian governments, industry, the community sector and other stakeholders to deliver responsive, high-quality professional services and to develop AHURI’s standing as an authoritative voice in international housing and urban policy discussion.

Tom has a PhD in Housing and Urban Studies and has held positions at RMIT University and The University of Melbourne in the disciplines of Property, Architecture and Urban Planning. He has substantial experience in policy and advisory work with the Victorian Government and fourteen years’ experience working in architectural practices in Melbourne and Sydney.

Tom has skills in program leadership and project management and brings to AHURI a strong background in housing and urban policy development, plus a deep knowledge of built environment design and delivery processes.

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