Melbourne’s Housing Affordability and Homelessness

Housing Affordability and Homelessness Challenges and Opportunities in Melbourne.

We have a panel of experts to guide us through the critical issues of Melbourne’s housing affordability and homelessness – what is working and what can be done differently.

Rob Pradolin is the Founding Board Member Housing All Australians, a Director of Quipex, and a Director of Homes Tasmania. For the past 30 years he has lived and breathed residential development. But it is understanding the drivers of housing affordability and the importance of housing for all – rich or poor – that has ignited a passion to drive change. Through General Management roles with one of Australia’s largest property developers, to working directly with government ministers, policy makers, community housing providers and their support services, Rob has worked tenaciously to increase awareness that “housing for all” is essential economic infrastructure and underpins Australia’s prospects for stable, long term economic growth.

Deborah Di Natale is CEO of Council to Homeless Persons. She has a career-long commitment to social justice and advocacy for those who are experiencing disadvantage. Deborah joined Council to Homeless Persons in 2023, following her role as CEO of the Northern Territory Council of Social Service, a peak body made up of not-for-profits, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and NGOs. She previously worked at Victoria Legal Aid in the family, law and civil division for over six years, as the Principal Solicitor of the Tenants’ Union advocating for housing as a human right, as the Legal Services Director at Justice Connect across Victoria and New South Wales, and as the Principal Lawyer at the North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service. In both 2021 and 2022, Deborah was named as one of the Northern Territory’s 100 most powerful women. She holds an Executive Masters in Public Administration from the University of Melbourne. With a deep interest in access to justice and system reform, Deborah is committed to working with the government, the sector and its allied services to forge better social outcomes for people without a home, while supporting a strong and sustainable homelessness service sector in Victoria.

Penny Forrest is Group Head, Housing of Development Victoria. Penny is an experienced property development professional, with over 20 years’ experience in the industry, including over 12 years with listed residential property developer Peet Ltd, most recently as the State Manager for the ACT and NSW. A strong advocate for the property industry, Penny has been a member and Chair of the Property Council Australia’s Victorian Residential Developers Committee and a former member of the Surveyors Registration Board Victoria. Penny’s current focus is the development of surplus and underutilised government land to deliver and promote housing diversity.

This is a panel discussion not to be missed as it gives members, potential members and guests an opportunity to fully explore and learn about the issues from three different perspectives and from leaders with deep knowledge and experience.