The Community Housing Industry Association of SA – CHIA SA – is the new name for the peak body representing Community Housing Providers (CHPs) in South Australia.
CHIA SA, previously the Community Housing Council of South Australia, supports and advocates for CHPs, which are not-for-profit organisations providing affordable housing to South Australians living on low incomes.
CHIA SA Chief Executive Officer Luke Westenberg said the new name and logo would align SA with the national peak body, the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA), and peak bodies in other states. “The time is right for SA CHPs to be part of a national alliance,” said Mr Westenberg.
He said the increasing role of the Federal Government in community housing, coupled with the escalating impact of nation-wide cost-of-living pressures and a lack of affordable housing options, meant a unified national voice had become increasingly important.
“The change will help us better advocate for SA CHPs at the national level to create a stronger national voice for community housing, in turn supporting better national policy outcomes in housing for South Australians living on low incomes,” said Mr Westenberg.
CHIA CEO Wendy Hayhurst said SA joined a growing national network of CHPs amid rising demand for affordable housing across all jurisdictions.
Ms Hayhurst said at the last census, there were 640,000 households either homeless or in rental stress and 40,000 of them were in SA: “There is a big job to do to build and manage the many new social and affordable rental homes we need, and community housing organisations are well placed to partner with all levels of government to do this.”
The CHIA SA brand change accompanies the launch of a new website, now live at www.chiasa.org.au.
Media contact: Rebecca DiGirolamo on 0429 181 422 or rebecca@hughespr.com.au
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WHO IS CHIA SA? CHIA SA is the peak industry body representing community housing providers (CHPs) in SA. CHPs are not-for-profit organisations, which provide affordable, safe and secure housing to people with low incomes, facing disadvantage and/or with specific needs. CHIA SA receives funding from the SA Government and advocates on behalf of the sector and informs key stakeholders and the community. MEDIA AND CHIA SA. As part of its advocacy role, CHIA SA is available to speak with media on a range of issues, including: affordable housing policy and investment; housing affordability and affordable housing needs; the community housing sector in SA and nationally; government land and asset transfers; the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) and the National Housing Accord; and the need for government and community housing partnerships.
