Kirsty Frame, Author at Common Equity Housing Limited

International Year of Co-operatives Celebration in Bendigo

Late last week, we celebrated the International Year of Co-operatives 2025 (IYC25) at an event in Bendigo, bringing together over 60 directors from CEHL’s co-op program. The day centred on what keeps co-ops strong: practical governance, clear communication, meaningful participation, and sustainability with community benefit. Director-led conversations highlighted shared learning—what’s working well, where the challenges are, […]

Growth in Ballarat: Stockaders co-op add two new homes to their community

Following an expression of interest process, keys to two brand new homes in the Ballarat suburb of Wendouree have been handed over to Stockaders CERC. “We didn’t waste time when we heard about the properties, we were ready to go!” said Stockaders Secretary, Michelle Sommers. The homes were delivered with funding assistance from Homes Victoria […]

Co-op Housing Recognised at Australasian Housing Institute Awards

CEHL celebrates the Bendigo regional co-ops award for the Best Tenant Led Initiative at the 2025 Australasian Housing Institute Brighter Future Awards for Victoria and Tasmania. Often called simply “coffee catch ups”, with the support of their regional CDC Kim Rattray-Wood, directors from different co-ops would get together support, share ideas, and solve problems together. […]

ACHA Summit Recap

“My message today for this room, is that we are keen to work with the people in this room. We’re keen to work with the co-op sector. We’re keen to ensure that, while co-op housing is not excluded from government programs, that there is a fair playing field.” Josh Burns, Federal Labor Member for McNamara […]

Climate Safe Room: Co-op Takes Part in Retrofit Trial

Much of Australia’s housing stock is aging, and as many of our co-operatives will know, old homes are costly to maintain. Retrofitting is key to creating healthier, more energy-efficient homes for the future – so that when extreme weather comes knocking on the door, the people inside aren’t at risk. Enter the climate-safe room. A […]

Australian Financial Review: ‘Co-ops do their part for housing affordability’

Ahead of the Australian Co-operative Housing Alliance Summit, the Australian Financial Review spoke to Managing Director Liz Thomas and Merri Co-op Director Kylie Lawson for this story. To read the full article online, head over to AFR’s website here.

Radio National Breakfast: Could this idea help fix Australia’s housing crisis?

Co-op housing has flown under the radar for too long, and with home ownership out of reach for future generations, we need to shift our thinking. Co-ops can and should be a part of Australia’s housing future. Australian Co-operative Housing Alliance (ACHA) Chair and CEHL Managing Director Liz Thomas spoke to ABC Breakfast this morning […]