Advocating for Victorians
CEHL serves as the representative for housing co-operatives throughout Victoria. The region faces a substantial, unmet demand for affordable and co-operative housing, and we aim to enable more individuals to enjoy the security, vitality, and resilience of co-operative living.
We collaborate with federal, state, and local governments to both bolster existing co-operatives and cultivate new co-operative housing options. Our goal is to take a leadership role in creating inclusive, accessible, and sustainable communities.
Australia, as a nation, must awaken from the idealised vision of widespread homeownership, as this is simply unattainable for many. Currently, 32% of Australian households are renters. Co-operative rental housing is the successful alternative to home ownership and offers co-op members affordable, stable tenancies and, most importantly, agency over their home.
CEHL is a resourceful, passionate, and unwavering advocate for a future where co-operative housing thrives within open, sustainable, and resilient co-operatives.
Co-op Housing in Australia
Co-operation Housing, Western Australia
Co-operation Housing was established in 2010 to support and grow Western Australia’s housing co-operative sector. They are the only registered community housing provider in WA that specialises in housing co-operatives.
United Housing Co-operative (UHC), Victoria
UHC is a not-for-profit community housing provider operating in the inner-western suburbs of Melbourne. Its primary goal is to provide affordable housing, informal support networks and engagement activities for low-income singles, couples and families.
Common Equity New South Wales (CENSW)
Common Equity NSW is a provider and developer of community housing across NSW, operating in 25 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and managing in excess of 500 properties. Common Equity is the peak body for housing co-operatives in NSW; CENSW arose from the Association to Resource Cooperative Housing.
Williamstown Rental Housing Co-operative
The Williamstown Rental Housing Co-operative is a community-based organization that provides affordable and cooperative housing solutions in the town of Williamstown. They offer a range of rental units that are collectively owned and managed by the members, fostering a sense of community and affordability in the housing market.
Northcote Rental Housing Co-Operative
The Williamstown Rental Housing Co-operative is a housing organization dedicated to offering affordable rental properties in Williamstown, fostering a strong sense of community and cooperation among its members. Through shared ownership and management, they aim to provide inclusive and affordable housing solutions in the area.
Northern Geelong Rental Housing Cooperative
The Northern Geelong Rental Housing Cooperative is a community-based organization in Northern Geelong that specializes in providing affordable and cooperative housing options. Their mission is to promote affordability and a sense of community by collectively owning and managing rental properties for the benefit of their members.
Common Equity Housing South Australia (CEHSA)
CEHSA is a member-focused, not-for-profit organisation providing administrative and regulatory support to community housing co-operatives and associations and their members. CEHSA advocates for the protection and growth of the co-operative and community housing sector.
Jacaranda Housing, Queensland
Jacaranda Housing holds title to a portfolio of 75 dwellings in Brisbane with an estimated value in excess of $35 million, and also carries out fee-for-service housing management for another South-East Queensland housing co-operative.
SouthEast Housing Cooperative Ltd
SouthEast Housing Cooperative Ltd is an organization dedicated to providing affordable housing solutions in the southeastern region. They offer cooperative housing options that are collectively owned and managed by their members, ensuring affordable and community-focused living arrangements.
Co-op Peak Bodies
Australian Co-operative Housing Alliance (ACHA)
ACHA has been established to advocate for the benefits of the housing co-operative model and the growth and diversification of the social housing sector in Australia. It is an alliance of Registered Community Housing Providers that deliver co-operative housing, including Common Equity Housing Ltd (CEHL) Victoria, Co-operation Housing (WA), Common Equity NSW, Common Equity S.A. and United Housing Co-operative (as a representative of Victorian independent rental co-operatives) and is supported by the Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM).
Community Housing Industry Association Victoria (CHIA Vic)
CHIA Vic advocates for and supports the community housing sector to grow and thrive as part of a housing system where all Victorians have the dignity of an appropriate, secure and affordable home.
Business Council of Co-operatives and Mutuals (BCCM)
BCCM is the national peak body representing the co-operative and mutual models of enterprise. It is the only organisation uniting the entire and diverse range of member-owned businesses.
International Co-operative Alliance (ICA)
ICA is the apex body representing cooperatives, which are estimated to be around 3 million worldwide, providing a global voice and forum for knowledge, expertise and co-ordinated action for and about co-operatives.
Co-operative Housing International
Co-operative Housing International (CHI) is one of the eight sectoral organisations of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA). CHI promotes co-operative housing as an economic and social solution to the problem of providing shelter.
CEHL Regulatory Landscape
Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission
The Australian Charities and Not-For-Profits Commission (ACNC) is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing and regulating charities and nonprofit organizations. Its primary role is to ensure transparency and accountability within the sector by registering and monitoring these entities to promote public trust and confidence in the charitable sector.
Housing Registrar
The Victorian Housing Registrar is responsible for regulating and overseeing housing providers to ensure they meet certain standards and obligations. It plays a crucial role in safeguarding the rights and interests of tenants and the quality of housing services provided throughout Victoria.
Australian Securities & Investments Commission
The Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) is the primary regulatory body responsible for overseeing and regulating Australia’s financial and corporate sectors. ASIC’s mission is to ensure market integrity, protect consumers, and promote fair and transparent financial practices by enforcing regulations and providing oversight to various financial and corporate entities.
Homes Victoria
Homes Victoria is a government initiative aimed at addressing housing and homelessness issues. It focuses on increasing access to affordable housing, supporting vulnerable individuals and families, and driving housing policy reforms to improve housing outcomes across the state.
Australian Government Australian Taxation office
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is the government agency responsible for administering and enforcing the tax laws in Australia. It collects various taxes, including income tax, goods and services tax (GST), and excise, and it plays a crucial role in revenue collection and ensuring compliance with tax regulations by individuals and businesses.
