Focus for Action – Housing for all

Members’ only ‘Focus for Action’ dinner

Facilitated by John Ridley AM and Chris Gallagher

Focus for Action is a members’ only, member led event; where members help for-purpose or community organisations address a challenge they are facing by testing ideas, finding practical solutions, building connections and gaining support.

Help Robert Pradolin Provide Housing For All

“Housing for all Australians, rich or poor, should be considered fundamental economic infrastructure for Australia. Just like roads, hospitals or schools,” says Robert Pradolin.

Robert Pradolin is the founding chair of Housing All Australians (HAA) a for-purpose organisation aimed at harnessing the good will of the private sector to address the chronic shortage of affordable housing across Australia.

In this Focus for Action, John Ridley and Chris Gallagher will help us, as individual citizens and professionals, bring a sharpened lens to the challenge posed by HAA.

The question for Melbourne Forum members is: how can we engage the entire country in addressing the long-term economic impact of not providing housing for all as a fundamental human need?

This event is for people who want to make a difference, share relevant experiences or identify pragmatic points of contact.

Why Is This Important?

In Melbourne’s long period of prosperity, homeless people or those coping with prolonged insecure housing are often in the periphery or hidden; yet the evidence can also be right before our eyes.

From 2011 to 2018, homelessness increased by 14% and rough sleeping – the most extreme form of homelessness – increased by 20%, nationally. In Melbourne, homelessness increased by 200% in that period.

If you are not convinced more needs to be done then read Robert’s article: Enough is enough: We can’t wait for governments to end homelessness. This and other pieces regarding housing insecurity are available after logging into the website and heading to the menu for Members Forum.

What are In-house Events?

In-house events draw on the diverse expertise of our members sharing their ideas and experiences on contemporary, complex or controversial topics.

Developed and moderated by members, under the Chatham -house Rule. Instead of a guest speaker we learn from each other, challenge assumptions, spark new ideas or point the way for potential actions.

We continue to learn and share on the Members Forum, the online chat room on the website. This provides access to pre-event and post-event reading and discussions and where members (irrespective of attending the dinner) can share insights and comments, just click on the discussion button below. https://melbourneforum.org.au/forums/topic/housing-for-all/

Melbourne Forum – Feeding minds and stimulating valuable contributions to Melbourne life.