The Victorian government has partnered with the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) to host the National Housing Conference in Melbourne next year.
The biennial conference, run by AHURI, will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre and online from March 2 to 4.
The Victorian government was selected as the host partner for the 2022 conference as a result of its recent commitment to construct more than 12,000 new social and affordable homes, and in light of Melbourne’s experiences during COVID-19.
AHURI managing director Dr Michael Fotheringham said the organisation was ‘delighted’ to team up with Homes Victoria to bring the conference to Melbourne.
“The state government is undertaking nation leading housing reforms, underpinned by the Big Housing Build,” he said on Monday.
READ MORE: Victoria to build 12,000 homes under $5.3b public housing blitz
Attendees will hear about a range of topics over the course of the three-day event, including how the housing system is responding to problems created by climate change, lessons learned during the pandemic, affordability and availability in the private rental market, and national housing policy coordination.
Housing minister Richard Wynne said Victoria was excited to share its knowledge and learn from others at the event.
“This past year has shown us just how important safe and secure housing is – this conference is an exciting opportunity to not only discuss how we can address homelessness in Victoria but right around Australia,” he said.
The most recent conference was held in Darwin in 2019 and attracted more than 1,100 attendees. A larger turnout is expected for the Melbourne event, particularly considering more than 1,400 delegates came along the last time the city hosted the conference, in 2009.
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