Why is collaboration important? Because only collaboration can fix the housing crisis. No single organisation can fix it on their own.

There are a lot of separate parts to the housing issue. And a lot of people are involved in actions and initiatives that can help. But Australia is a big country and we are not good at collaboration and sharing.

Good initiatives need sharing. They need discussion. Improvement. Adoption.

In the last couple of weeks, I have spoken with a wide range of dedicated people committed to solving the housing problem. I have watched videos of presentations from people outlining the vested interests, blockages and barriers to success.

The problem hasn’t gone away. It is complex. It grows daily.

We let it grow over many years. And it won’t be fixed overnight.

But a lot of good people are doing good things. Across the nation.

There are a lot of shires and councils acting positively, but there could be more.

There are a lot of architects designing homes that are affordable. There are builders building homes that are affordable. There are manufacturers constructing prefabricated homes that are affordable.

There are construction companies delivering build to rent units and apartments.

There is an increasing focus on social housing.

There are strategies to bridge the gap between the 4-5% ROI delivered from social housing and the 7-8% demanded by investors and superannuation companies.

There are many, many people with many well thought out ideas and initiatives.

And they all need to talk to each other. Not just once a year at conferences. And AHURI leads the way in positive thinking, research and catalysing thought.

But we have to move one step further. And discuss and share solutions on a regular basis. Not just once a year, but whenever we can. Regularly.

As an organisation, we don’t build houses, design them or organise finance. But we do have a collaboration platform that could help – configured to Australian regions, sectors and issues. The myREGION.au platform offers groups that can be organised into an ecosystem for sharing and collaboration – on issues related to housing and homelessness.

To support the sharing of what works, what doesn’t and what might be.

Nation Building.

The fifteen “nation building” groups are on a page – below the PROJECTS tab. https://www.redtoolbox.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=557&Itemid=1091

Signup to the platform – free - and share what you can do to help.

Groups can be added to extend collaboration. Each region has a Housing & Development group as well.

Not everybody can come up with fresh approaches to this issue, but everybody can copy initiatives that work.

Because the weather doesn’t wait. The cold has no patience. The rain is not going to spare the people on the streets, in their cars, under bridges or in tents.

We need more sense of urgency in this country. We are too slow at too many things.

We are good at taking months or even years to create reports, but slow to action.

Not just on housing and homelessness, but on just about everything.

It is time to support the haves, the have nots and the have nothings.

We are all in this together.

We live on one home that we all inhabit. One world speeding through space at 67,000 miles per hour.

We share the same stage. We share the same genome (with some variations).

We share common ancestors.

We confront the same challenges in our lives.?

And it is time to collaborate in addressing those challenges, not just passing them onto politicians, presidents, premiers and other figureheads.

We have to step up and address the challenges that face us all. Accept the challenges individually and then work with others to fix them.

Together.?

During the short time that we enjoy on this planet. Because nobody else is going to do this for us.?

We are the only ones here.?

War, greed, climate change, the gig economy and software efficiency make capitalism harsher.?

Dividing “workers” into Haves. Have nots. And Have nothings.?

Most of the profits of economic growth, created by technology and software, have been captured by large corporations and their shareholders.?

The rewards have gone to the 1% not to the average worker.

We are moving into dangerous territory. And with continuing job demolition as a result of technology and digital disruption, the situation is destined to get worse and worse. Unless we manage it.

We have to move away from letting things just happen, towards managing the human impacts of the world we live in.?

By planning and acting with vision. Holistically.?

Which we can do.

We are not helpless. But to do this effectively means looking at the world in a different way.?

Joined up. Connected. Collaborating. Sharing.?

Let’s do it.

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