Community Housing Explained: Local Government

Get a clear, practical understanding of community housing so you can respond confidently to housing questions in your council role. 

Overview

Local government staff and Councillors are increasingly expected to respond to housing concerns from the community, engage with providers, and contribute to planning and advocacy discussions. Community housing is often part of these conversations, but the system can feel complex, with multiple provider types, funding models and regulatory settings. 

This 2-hour webinar provides a plain-English overview of the Victorian community housing sector, including real project examples and practical partnership options for councils. Participants will gain clearer language, stronger context and a realistic understanding of how councils can support and work alongside community housing organisations to improve local housing outcomes. 

Why this course matters  

• Build confidence to respond to community housing questions clearly and accurately  

• Strengthen council decision-making with realistic sector understanding  

• Reduce confusion about who does what across the housing system  

• Support better planning and engagement conversations with CHOs and developers  

• Clarify what partnership options are practical for councils  

• Improve consistency in messaging to Councillors, executives and the broader community  

What participants will learn  

• How community housing fits within Victoria’s broader housing system  

• What community housing organisations do day-to-day and who they support  

• How community housing is regulated and what accountability frameworks apply  

• How CHOs are funded and how growth and new supply is delivered  

• Key drivers of project feasibility, including land, finance and delivery constraints  

• Real examples of council and community housing partnerships  

• Practical options for how councils can support or collaborate with CHOs  

• Resources available through CHIA Vic when housing questions arise  

Who should attend  

• Local government officers working in planning, housing, community development or strategy  

• Councillors and Mayors  

• Executive leadership teams in local government  

• Place-based planning and infrastructure staff  

• Community engagement and social policy staff  

• Economic development staff involved in housing-related initiatives  

Organisational benefits  

• Stronger internal understanding of community housing across council teams  

• More informed decision-making about planning pathways and partnership opportunities  

• Improved council engagement with CHOs and the housing sector  

• Clearer communication to the community about housing roles and responsibilities  

• Increased capability to support local affordable housing outcomes  

What participants will receive  

• Plain-English explanations and practical examples relevant to councils  

• Real project and partnership case studies from the Victorian context  

• Tools and language to support conversations with Councillors and communities  

• Access to sector resources and support pathways through CHIA Vic