Faith Housing Australia invites you to a practical, solutions-focused forum on unlocking the potential of underutilised land and buildings for short-term housing solutions. Unlocking Space brings together leaders, community housing, and government sectors to explore “meanwhile use” as an innovative, low-cost strategy to deliver urgent housing options amidst the current housing crisis.

Through real-world case studies, planning reform updates, and legal insights, this event will equip participants with tools, pathways, and partnerships to activate vacant or end-of-life facilities for temporary housing—before redevelopment occurs.

Why Attend?
• Discover practical, replicable models of meanwhile use
• Learn about new planning and legal frameworks, including recent NSW reforms
• Connect with collaborators to explore pilot opportunities
• Hear from leading projects and practitioners driving change

Who Should Attend?
• Faith-based landholders and service providers
• Community Housing Providers (CHPs)
• Local and state government planning and housing teams
• Homelessness and transitional housing services
• Legal professionals and pro bono networks
• Philanthropic and social impact investors
• Urban planners, architects, and property advisors

Key Topics
• Meanwhile use as a housing justice tool
• Planning pathways, including exempt development reforms
• Legal and risk management structures for temporary use
• Funding models and low-cost infrastructure options
• Cross-sector partnerships and council collaboration
• Community engagement aligned with faith values
• Strategies to activate disused buildings and sites

Event Program

10.30am		Registration
10.50am		Welcome & Country Acknowledgement – Shaping the Vision for Meanwhile Housing
10.55am		Session 1: Panel - Meanwhile Use in Practice
		Queenie Tran, Head of Programs & Habitat Women, Habitat for Humanity With over 15 years of experience in the property industry, Queenie started her career in architecture before she found her passion for housing; most recently as Head of Australian Programs at international non-profit, Habitat for Humanity Australia.
		Brad Braithwaite, Chief Executive Officer, Hume Community Housing Brad joined Hume as CEO in May 2023, with 15+ years of executive experience across community housing, health, and education. He previously held senior roles at Anglicare and Argyle Community Housing, and served at the University of Wollongong. Brad holds an MBA in Social Impact from UNSW and is passionate about social equity. He brings strong leadership, commercial focus, and a track record of delivering strategic growth.
		Rabbi Mendel Kastel OAM, Chief Executive Officer, Jewish House Rabbi joined Jewish House as CEO in 2008 and has provided rabbinic leadership in Sydney for nearly 30 years. He is a Rabbinic Fellow of the Great Synagogue, Jewish Chaplain to the NSW Police, and serves on the boards of NCOSS, Ending Street Homelessness, and the National Mental Health Commission. Known for his deep community and welfare expertise, he has helped grow Jewish House into a leader in innovative, best-practice crisis services for the Sydney community.
		Simon Furness, Director of Property & Housing, Uniting Simon is Director of Property and Housing at Uniting and part of its Executive Leadership Team. He oversees a diverse property portfolio supporting aged care, disability, children and family services across NSW and ACT, and leads Uniting’s Housing Services of more than 3,000 units across 90 villages. Throughout his career, Simon has worked with major organisations where infrastructure and property are critical to success, driving transformation that improves business performance and creates spaces where people enjoy living, working and visiting.
11.45am		Session 2: Panel - Planning, Barriers & Council Partnerships
		Adrian Harrington, NSW State Chair, Housing All Australians Adrian Harrington brings over three decades of leadership across funds management, real estate and social and affordable housing sectors. He is currently Chair of Charter Hall Direct, NSW Chair of Housing All Australians, a Non-Executive Director of the ACT Government’s Suburban Land Agency and a member of the University of Canberra’s Planning & Development Committee. Formerly, he chaired both the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (now known as Housing Australia) and the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI). His extensive career includes senior roles at Charter Hall, Folkestone, Mirvac, Deutsche Asset Management, Paladin Australia, and the Property Council of Australia. In 2024 he was awarded Life Membership of the NSW Division of the Property Council of Australia.
		John Engeler, Chief Executive Officer, Shelter NSW John Engeler has served as Chief Executive Officer of Shelter NSW since early 2020, bringing a wealth of experience in the formation, development and delivery of social, affordable and specialist housing throughout his career. He holds a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning and has undertaken postgraduate legal studies. With a background spanning private, public and community sectors, John is particularly focused on driving innovative housing responses for those underserved by conventional markets.
		Belinda Bentley, Managing Director, 9Springs Belinda Bentley is Managing Director and co‑founder of Sydney‑based 9Springs, a property investment and advisory group specialising in unlocking development value from underutilised assets. Over a 20‑year career, she’s delivered more than A$2 billion in projects across community housing, health, seniors living, and infrastructure. Belinda also serves as a Non‑Executive Director of Link Wentworth Housing, honorary Adjunct Associate Professor at UTS, and Co‑Chair of the ULI Asia‑Pacific Awards for Excellence Jury. She has earned multiple leadership and alumni awards for her dedication to social impact and inclusive leadership.
12.15pm		Session 3: Homes NSW Strategy
		Verity Lomax, Director, Housing, Policy Homes NSW With over a decade of experience in government, Verity Lomax is Director of Housing, Planning and Homelessness for the NSW Cabinet Office. She has served as Chief of Staff to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Multicultural Affairs, Veterans, Volunteering and Youth, and led the Australia-Myanmar Chamber of Commerce to an Asia Pacific award for Responsible Business. Verity is passionate about uniting government, not-for-profit, private and philanthropic sectors to create lasting social impact.
12.45pm		Closing Reflections and Thank you