In a crucial conversation held at the Slipway Lakes Entrance, 25 local residents gathered to address the growing housing affordability crisis in East Gippsland.
The event, organised by the East Gippsland Housing Affordability Conversation group, welcomed guest speaker Diane Cox, coordinator of Homeshare Mount Alexander, who joined the conversation via Zoom.
Diane shared insights on the Homeshare program, an initiative aimed at tackling housing challenges while providing mutual support for older residents.
Isaac Carné, the meeting host, acknowledged the Gunaikurnai Country before introducing Diane, who provided a detailed overview of Homeshare — a model based on the mutual exchange of housing and assistance.
Homeshare offers rent-free accommodation in exchange for help with light housework, gardening and companionship, with no personal care required.
Diane explained that such initiatives are vital, especially as Australia’s ageing population grows, and traditional aged care homes cannot meet demand.
“Homeshare is not only a cost-effective solution but one that solves multiple problems at once. It allows older residents to stay in their homes while helping to alleviate the housing crisis,” Diane said.
“At a community level, Homeshare is very good for a number of reasons. It’s good because it’s actually really achievable by a community. It’s something that communities can be doing and feeling like you’re doing something useful at a time when the bigger picture at the state and federal policy level is very slow.
“Homeshare solves a number of issues at one time. We have great people who need affordable housing, and we have great people who are living alone. Homeshare brings them together.
“You’re not making it up yourself, but you’re a local community doing it. Every Homeshare innovation is locally driven, but you’re using ideas that have been around for about 30 years and are current all over the Western world. So, you feel like you’re part of something bigger.
“Homeshare is great, but it’s not straightforward. It requires cultural change, and it needs to be solid. It has to be well-organised; it can’t be slapdash.”
She also highlighted the importance of screening and support mechanisms to ensure successful matches between home seekers and home sharers.
This program addresses the growing need for affordable housing and care for older people, fostering intergenerational relationships and contributing to a more cohesive community. The program, operating successfully in places like Melbourne, demonstrates that Homeshare can fill the gap in traditional aged care services while offering a practical solution to housing affordability.
During the meeting, numerous residents from Hardie Street attended with concerns about the recently paused council proposal to develop an empty block on their street.
However, many left after the Homeshare conversation concluded. Mr Carné encouraged them to continue attending future
meetings, urging them to be part of the
solution to the housing crisis and to take an active rather than a reactive role in
the ongoing discussions.
The meeting culminated in the continuing conversations of three action groups focused on advocacy, homelessness, and a new group intending to investigate Homeshare further.
Each group developed strategies to address local housing issues, with the advocacy group planning to engage local council candidates ahead of the October elections, aiming to bring housing affordability into the spotlight. Meanwhile, the homelessness group committed to continue hosting a monthly soup kitchen night at the Slipway on the third Friday of the month, and a new community PotLuck to raise awareness and foster collaboration across local organisations.
Key topics from the discussion around a new social housing policy council is working on included regulating short-stay accommodation such as Airbnb to increase long-term rental availability, the need for diverse housing options including tiny homes and apartments, and the importance of a clear and robust council strategy on social and affordable housing.
The community expressed a strong desire for East Gippsland Shire Council to take a more active role in tackling the region’s housing crisis, advocating for inclusionary zoning and the development of new social housing stock.
The meeting highlighted the urgent need for data collection to better understand the housing landscape in East Gippsland, as well as the critical role of the community and local government in creating long-term solutions.
The next meeting of the East Gippsland Housing Affordability Conversation will take place on September 25.
