Facing up to the challenge: Images of social housing people

How does one represent a professional association in a way that does not involve brochures, workshops or annual reports? The Australasian Housing Institute's travelling photographic exhibition is a collection of portraits of our members - housing professionals from around Australia and New Zealand – taken by Brisbane photographer Naomi Mawson. Developed in collaboration with graphic artist Philippa Lawrence, they seek to debunk the myth of ‘faceless bureaucrats’ by capturing the passion and individuality of volunteers, housing workers, public servants, academics and community builders.

“I help people to obtain a basic human right – shelter. I believe that social housing in western societies makes a huge difference to people’s quality of life. Access to subsidised rental housing improves their chances to achieve goals and aspirations for themselves and their family members.”

Yasmina Kovacevic, Acting Registrar, Housing Appeals Committee.

Member of the Australasian Housing Institute since September 2003.

“All people deserve the right to live in safe, clean and decent homes. Disadvantaged members of our communities need social housing infrastructure to be able to meaningfully participate in communities. Social housing organisations provide the glue that binds people and place to communities.”

George Housakos Chief Executive Officer, Kensington Management Company

Member of the Australasian Housing Institute since August 2006.

"A family of two adults and six children moved into one of our brand new four bedroom homes from a small two bedroom flat. After a week of living in an appropriate, dry, warm home their public health nurse rang to say the family had slept through the night. For the first time ever the family did not wake with one or more children coughing or wheezing. I do this job because affordable, quality homes make a difference to people’s lives and it’s a privilege to be part of that difference.

I work for a community housing organisation because we achieve better social and economic outcomes. To meet growing housing needs and to promote innovation and customer choice I believe NZ has to move away from our current models of providing social housing to a contestable multi-provider system. This is also essential for the efficient use of the capital made available by government. I am motivated and excited by the potential for community housing in NZ."

Alison Cadman, Director Wellington Housing Trust

Member of the AHI since July 2006.

"As I reflect on the journey of social housing for the Original Inhabitants, I see the ancestors creating housing out of the natural environment, but its more than just housing – it’s a social network and support system that cares and shares. It’s about the extended family, the clan groups organising things together. The Elders, men and women, the young and the children being included and looked after in the group/ tribe. From campsites of rock shelters, bark gunyahs (even built structures) to tin shacks, hessian bag huts (even living in old buses and cars), to asbestos-sheeted shacks, to timber cottages to brick veneer houses – how things have changed. Yet through all the changes and struggles, Aboriginal people have held dearly to their hearts the sense of belonging and being part of the family, the extended family. Most importantly being one with Country – the land, the rivers, the sea, the mountains, the valleys – the Good Earth. A house is a home, where family is loved, cared for, taught, supported and encouraged. White political and bureaucratic powers have planned and delivered social housing to fit their concepts and models, without listening or respecting Aboriginal views. Sadly, social housing is now stigmatised, where people who are struggling to find a way through life are looked down on. Our people have been disconnected from country, and many who are living with economic and social challenges find it difficult to escape. My hope is that social housing is planned and provided to build and maintain communities with a security of tenure. The aim should be communities and neighbourhoods which inspire a sense of well being, safety and security. What I see is social housing headed towards being controlled, mainstreamed and further marginalised. I pray for the day when the powers that hold the purse strings consult, listen and respect Aboriginal people to develop social housing that builds a community that lives in harmony."

The Reverend Tom Slockee,

Member of the Australasian Housing Institute since May 2008

Nicola Lemon, Chief Executive Officer, Hume Community Housing Assoc.

Member of the AHI since March 2008.

"Without social housing, where would we be? For people in need, where would they be? What would they do? Where would they go? Housing is the bedrock of our society. It affects us all. The diversity of what we do in helping people in need together with the skills that we have demands that social housing is not only seen but also respected as a profession."

Roger Jameson, General Manager, SPM Applications Ltd

Member of the AHI since July 2002.