Residents are invited to a free community forum hosted by My Home Network (MHN) to hear the latest updates on local housing projects and initiatives aimed at addressing the region’s housing crisis.
The forum will take place at Castlemaine Town Hall next Thursday, May 15, from 6.30pm (for a 7pm start) to 9pm.
MHN spokesperson Carolyn Neilson said the Mount Alexander Shire community values housing justice — ensuring more people have access to safe, sustainable, appropriate, secure, and affordable homes that honour their connection to community.
“We’re fortunate to have so many passionate, skilled locals working together on creative, out-of-the-box solutions to our housing challenges. These initiatives reflect a collaborative, integrated approach — from homelessness and tenants’ rights, using existing housing better, developing new affordable housing models, and improving housing energy efficiency and climate resilience, which directly impacts wellbeing and cost of living,” Ms Neilson said.
MHN also advocates for broader systemic change, including increased government investment in social housing, better legislative frameworks, and policy changes.
“We’ve welcomed recent improvements in funding and legislation, particularly around vacant and secondary dwellings,” Ms. Neilson said.
“But the need remains urgent — our shire alone requires 600 additional social housing dwellings. We must also address underlying factors like stagnant wages and pensions, inequitable tax mechanisms, the lack of rental caps, and the mismatch between housing supply and demand.”
The forum will feature updates from MHN Working Groups and local organisations on a range of current initiatives, including: – Tenants’ rights advocacy – Homeshare Mount Alexander – Unlocking vacant dwellings for affordable rentals – Tiny Homes On Wheels – WINC (Older Women in Co-Housing) – Preparing homes for climate change impacts and more.
Ms Neilson said one highlight will be an update on Homeshare Mount Alexander, a practical initiative enabled by MHN’s community engagement and supported by Dhelkaya Health.
“Homeshare pairs householders who have a spare room with home-sharers in exchange for practical help and companionship,” she explained.
“It’s a simple way to build social connection, improve wellbeing, and make better use of existing housing. “Our housing crisis is deepening,” Ms Neilson said.
“Soaring rents, rising living costs, and limited housing supply mean more and more people are just getting by. Housing is a basic human right — and we can do better.”
To attend the MHN Community Forum, please register using the link at dhelkayahealth.org.au/mhn-community-forum or email cneilson@castlemainehealth.org.au.
