EMHE Affordable Housing Conference — Brisbane, Australia

EMHE Affordable Housing Conference 2026 — Brisbane, Australia
Dates: 16–19 December 2026
Main conference programme: 16–18 December 2026
Optional technical site visits: 19 December 2026
Venue: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Bank, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Conference Theme: “Building Sustainable Foundations: Scaling Affordable and Climate-Resilient Housing in Australia”

The EMHE Affordable Housing Conference is a gathering of housing professionals, policymakers, developers, investors, researchers, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders committed to advancing safe, affordable, sustainable housing and stronger communities.

With a particular focus on Queensland and Australia's rapidly growing urban corridors, the conference will examine practical responses to housing shortages driven by population growth, interstate migration, and increasing demand for affordable homes. Participants will explore how federal and state governments, financial institutions, superannuation funds, private developers, and community housing organizations can collaborate to expand access to affordable and environmentally responsible housing.

The conference recognizes that a home is more than shelter. Secure housing provides a foundation for dignity, family stability, education, health, and economic opportunity. Through keynote presentations, policy discussions, workshops, case studies, and networking forums, attendees will exchange ideas and develop practical approaches to housing affordability and community development.

Key discussions will cover planning and regulatory reform, development approvals, innovative housing finance, bond aggregation, build-to-rent models, superannuation investment, energy-efficient construction, modular building, climate-resilient design, urban densification, and transit-oriented development. The programme will also examine shared equity, rent-to-own models, microfinance, First Nations housing self-determination, and support for vulnerable communities.

The conference welcomes developers and homebuilders, investors and lenders, policymakers, government officials, nonprofit organizations, housing advocates, academics, researchers, and professionals working in social housing and community development.

Attendees will gain practical insights, explore innovative housing models, build industry connections, and identify opportunities for collaboration. The programme emphasizes tangible outcomes, with its third day dedicated to action plans, commitments, and partnership building. Optional technical site visits on 19 December will provide additional opportunities to explore local urban development and affordable housing projects.

Join us in Brisbane from 16–19 December 2026 to help shape a future where safe, dignified, affordable, and climate-resilient housing is accessible to all.

Invited speakers The supplied text lists nine invited speakers and their conference topics. Pasted text.txt

Speaker Position / expertise Conference topic Professor Nicole Gurran Professor of Urban and Regional Planning, University of Sydney; Director, Henry Halloran Urban & Regional Research Initiative Planning Reform and Inclusionary Tools for Queensland Kate Colvin Chief Executive Officer, Homelessness Australia Ending Homelessness in a Growing Economy Jody Broun Consultant; Yindjibarndi woman; former Chief Executive, Aboriginal Housing Office (NSW), and former Executive Director, Aboriginal Housing and Infrastructure (WA) First Nations Housing Self-Determination and Culturally Supportive Models Dr. Michael Fotheringham Managing Director, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute (AHURI) National Housing Futures – Research to Action Shane Phillips Author of The Affordable City; urban planner; Housing Initiative Lead, UCLA Lewis Center Innovative Models for Affordable Rental Housing Emeritus Professor Hal Pawson Professor of Housing Research and Policy (Emeritus), UNSW Sydney; Associate Director, City Futures Research Centre Reimagining Social Housing for the Next Generation Mark Degotardi Chief Executive Officer, Australian Community Housing; formerly CEO, CHIA NSW Building a Stronger Community Housing Industry – Policy and Investment Sarah Toohey Chief Executive Officer, Community Housing Industry Association Victoria (CHIA Vic) Delivering Social and Affordable Housing at Scale Michael Lennon Managing Director, Housing Choices Australia; experienced affordable and community housing leader Affordable Housing Finance and Public-Private Partnerships These are the speakers and affiliations stated in your supplied material.

Key conference themes Use these as tags, topics, or highlights on Conference.fyi.

Housing Policy and Regulatory Reform: Aligning planning laws, streamlining development approvals, reforming taxation settings, and encouraging housing supply.
Innovative Housing Finance: NHFIC, bond aggregators, build-to-rent models, superannuation partnerships, green bonds, and public-private investment.
Climate-Resilient Construction: Energy-efficient materials, NatHERS ratings, modular construction, and designs suited to subtropical and cyclone-prone climates.
Urban Densification and Transit-Oriented Development: Medium-density housing, better public transport connections, community engagement, and access to green spaces.
First Nations Housing: Housing self-determination, culturally supportive models, and finance tailored to First Nations communities.
Homelessness Prevention: Strategies to address homelessness and improve access to stable housing.
Social and Affordable Housing: Scalable housing models, community housing, and support for vulnerable groups.
Regional Housing Development: Addressing housing shortages across South-East Queensland, regional centres, and remote communities.
Public-Private Partnerships: Collaboration between governments, developers, financial institutions, investors, and community housing providers.
Three-day conference programme Day 1 — Wednesday, 16 December 2026 Policy, Needs, and Financial Frameworks Morning

Registration and networking coffee
Opening keynote: “The State of Housing Affordability in Australia – 2026 Update”
Federal–state ministerial panel on land release, infrastructure funding, and reducing development red tape in Queensland
Networking coffee and exhibition walk
Parallel sessions on NHFIC and superannuation financing models, property rights, and tenancy reform Afternoon
Lunch
Investor matchmaking roundtables for business-to-government (B2G) and business-to-business (B2B) capital alignment Evening
Official welcome dinner and networking gala at the Brisbane Convention Centre
Day 2 — Thursday, 17 December 2026 Innovation, Implementation, and Sustainable Solutions Morning

Technology and design plenary on green architecture, energy retrofitting, and climate-resilient construction for subtropical and cyclone-prone areas
Coffee break
Case studies on low-cost social housing models from Australia, New Zealand, and the Asia-Pacific Afternoon
Workshops on community-led housing initiatives, including First Nations models
Affordable housing technologies, including off-site manufacturing and digital twins
Financing sustainable development through green bonds and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investment Evening
Cultural showcase
Networking reception overlooking the Brisbane River
Day 3 — Friday, 18 December 2026 Action Plans and Future Commitments Morning

Inspirational address: “Creating Hope Through Community Action”
Interactive strategy workshops focused on the Brisbane 2032 Olympic housing legacy and regional housing shortages in Queensland Afternoon
Presentation of action plans
Commitment and partnership announcements
Closing ceremony
Saturday, 19 December 2026 Optional technical site visits

Visits to local urban development projects
Potential visits to the Olympic athlete village and affordable housing precincts, as stated in the source
Venue information Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre South Bank, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia Postcode: QLD 4101 The supplied conference information describes the venue as offering meeting facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi, on-site dining, and accessible meeting spaces. It also states that the venue is accessible from Brisbane Airport (BNE) and that parking is available. The source highlights Brisbane's urban environment, cultural attractions, and hospitality as additional reasons for attending.

Registration benefits and attendee information The source states that the registration fee includes full access to conference sessions, networking events, breakfast, lunch, receptions, and conference materials. Pasted text.txt

Other attendee information:

Group discounts: Available for groups of five or more; email the organizer for a custom rate.
Session recordings: The source says recordings will be available to registered attendees after the conference.
Accommodation: A limited number of rooms is reserved at a preferred rate; early booking is recommended.
Visa support letters: International attendees must register and pay first. The stated processing time is five to ten business days, and requests are recommended six to eight weeks before travel.
Visa disclaimer: A support letter does not guarantee visa approval.
VIP benefits: The $600 USD VIP ticket includes an exclusive networking dinner, front-row seating, and a post-conference report.
Intended audience Use this in the target audience field: Affordable housing developers and homebuilders; institutional investors and lenders; federal, state, and local government officials; policymakers; community housing providers; nonprofit organizations; housing advocates; academics and researchers; First Nations housing organizations; architects and urban planners; construction and building technology professionals; and specialists in homelessness prevention, housing finance, climate resilience, and regional development.