A 90 minute workshop on one possible model to build housing collectives that focus on retrofitting housing for the climate crisis, while also contributing to the decommodification of housing for public good.

The goal of Retrofit and Decommodify (RAD) housing is to collectively acquire, retrofit, and decommodify existing suburban housing so that we, and others, can live in resilient and affordable housing.

The RAD housing project offers one small way to contribute to prefiguring better futures by providing opportunities to live collectively in ways that help us to practice commoning and act in solidarity with more radical movements for change.

The RAD housing members are currently visiting from Naarm, and keen to take this opportunity to transfer some of their learnings to the community here, to aid in similar and related efforts.

The Don Dunstan Foundation’s 2025 housing symposium will focus on an area of growing policy concern – renting. This year’s theme -  The Missing Middle - recognises the growing role of renting in Australia’s housing mix and will address all aspects of renting – from the public and community housing sector, to the private rental market, to innovations in renting such as build-to-rent projects.

As the title suggests, we’ll be examining the “missing middle” in rentals – people who don’t qualify for public housing, but who are struggling to afford good housing in the private rental market.  

The CEO of Housing Australia, Scott Langford, will present the keynote address, providing a national perspective and we’re assembling panels of experts from the housing sector (private and public), researchers and industry experts, people with lived experience, and government decision-makers.    The panels at the one-day event will address, among other topics: 

·    The scope of housing need: the problem, gaps, and the lived experience.

·    How are we going to build the houses?

·    What will these communities look like? 

The event will include a working lunch and networking drinks at the end of the day.

Housing is a state government responsibility — and it is in crisis South Australia is in a deep and worsening housing crisis.

Almost 14,000 people are on the public housing waiting list. Rents and house prices continue to rise faster than incomes. People on Centrelink payments, low‑wage workers, essential workers, students, older women, First Nations people, and families are being pushed into housing stress, overcrowding, and homelessness.

Homelessness services are under immense pressure, with demand increasing while funding fails to keep pace. Crisis responses alone are not enough.

This is a crisis created by policy decisions — and it can be fixed by policy decisions.

Our call: Build public homes and rebuild the SA Housing Trust!

Public housing is the backbone of an effective housing system. It provides secure, genuinely affordable homes, stabilises the private rental market, and prevents homelessness before it occurs.

At this rally, we are calling on the South Australian Government — and all parties contesting the 2026 State Election — to commit to:

• Rebuilding and expanding the SA Housing Trust
• A large‑scale program to build new public housing, not just short‑term or temporary solutions
• Ongoing investment to maintain and upgrade existing public housing stock
• Housing policy that centres people on the lowest incomes and those most at risk
• Genuine partnership with First Nations communities, recognising housing as inseparable from land, justice, and self‑determination

This rally will feature speakers from across the community, including:

• People with lived experience of housing insecurity and homelessness
• First Nations speakers and community representatives
• Unions speaking to housing as a workers’ issue
• Housing and tenant advocates
• Homelessness and community service organisations

We want election candidates to hear directly from the people affected by the housing crisis.

This rally is part of a broader state election campaign to put public housing back where it belongs: at the centre of government responsibility.

It is community‑led, grounded in lived experience, and focused on long‑term structural solutions — not charity, not temporary fixes, and not market‑driven approaches.

Partner with us We are inviting organisations, unions, community groups, services, and networks to:

• Partner with the rally
• Add your logo as a supporting organisation
• Sign on to a joint public statement calling for the rebuilding of the SA Housing Trust and a major public housing build
• Help promote the rally through your networks
• Support coordination of the rally

If your organisation works in housing, homelessness, social services, health, community development, union organising, faith‑based advocacy, or social justice — we welcome your involvement.

To partner with us, or to receive the joint statement, please get in contact.

Registration helps us estimate numbers, plan accessibility and safety supports, and share important updates before the rally (such as weather or program changes).

For more information about the rally and to register: https://bit.ly/PublicHousingRally

Further info: info@apnsa.org https://bit.ly/RallyWebsite Ph: (08) 8451 1589

Housing is a right. Public housing is the solution.

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