The Bellingen Shire and surrounding areas face a severe shortage of affordable, secure housing which is playing out nationally. We are in the midst of a housing crisis that is leaving local residents in precarious situations and hardship, with no immediate solutions.
Recent factors like Covid-19 migration trends, rising rental prices, and limited housing options have worsened the situation. We, as a resident led response, emerged in 2017 to address the increasing lack of affordability in the Bellingen Shire and surrounding areas. Since then, we’ve actively worked on solutions for affordable, sustainable housing, advocating for systemic change. With funding from the Siddle Family Foundation, we’ve grown from a volunteer group to a small but professional organisation. This partnership helps us continue to help develop and find housing solutions through local action and advocacy. This is long term work that doesn’t often deliver quick wins. We have found that we need persistence and determination to help find local solutions.
We refreshed our strategic plan in 2024 with a renewed commitment to place-based housing advocacy and incubation that can also influence the systemic drivers of the housing crisis. Click here to download a copy, and here for our current action plan.
Vision: Everyone has a safe and secure place to live Who we are Based in Bellingen Shire with a regional reach. Residents and housing professionals working together.
Purpose: We help to develop and find local housing solutions that are affordable, secure, and environmentally responsible.
What is important to us:
· Activating our communities to find inclusive and innovative local solutions.
· Working collaboratively.
· Learning and sharing knowledge.
· Contributing to systemic change.
Foundation: Community Engagement and Connection
The Guiding Principles of the Housing Matters Action Group Inc are:
1. That we respect the right of every person to access a safe, liveable, secure and affordable home.
2. That housing must be well designed, socially and environmentally responsible, sustainable and support people’s wellbeing.
3. That inclusive and diverse communities require a range of housing types and tenures on a continuum of affordability.
4. That well-designed and managed housing can positively contribute to climate change mitigation and adaption strategies and this should be encouraged, given the climate emergency.
5. To undertake our work and advocacy with respect, dignity and co-operation.
6. To facilitate informed community conversations and collective learning.
7. To be action focussed and a catalyst for change.
