The housing crisis facing Victoria is real.
Virtually every community is scrambling to address a shortage of housing that is affordable, liveable and secure. Our consultancy is a network of communities, particularly across rural and regional areas, sharing practical ideas to solve this wicked problem.
We work with
Councils
Employers
Housing Providers
Developers
Community Service Providers
Practical Housing Action at a Local Level
Information & Support In Managing Complex Data, Competing Demands & Limited Resources
Be Part Of A State-wide Network
a purpose driven consultancy
Steve Dunn
Roger Hastrich
Regional Housing Victoria provides the tools and resources to assist communities to identify local challenges and opportunities and then take action. Addressing the shortfall in safe, secure and affordable housing is a complex, slow and frustrating journey โ a marathon, not a sprint.
Steve Dunn and Roger Hastrich, Directors of Regional Housing Victoria, have a wealth of experience in state and local government along with the community sector and a deep understanding of the complex housing eco-system.
Our Focus
Social housing
By creating partnerships with Community Housing Providers and local communities that will unlock state and federal funding
Worker housing
By understanding demand and developing a local โpipelineโ of potential projects to increase supply
Land supply
By working with Councils and communities to take long term decisions that balance liveability and affordability
Partnerships
By bringing together local people from different sectors: developers / landholders / employers / builders / investors / Councils and community groups.
Every consultancy project is different, for example
We have developed tools to gather useful, local data on housing needs that can be compared with local knowledge
Our approach to Council social and affordable housing plans is practical, simple and identifies actions that can be implemented with limited resources and maximum impact
By supporting multi-disciplinary teams in Councils to take on a more effective role in housing
A simple toolkit to address the complex issues of community engagement can be used to move from NIMBY to YIMBY
Statewide Collaboration and Impact
Regional Housing Victoria also work across the state to link employer organisations, peak bodies, investors, philanthropists and all levels of Government to take positive action on housing.
We run forums, work with communities on plans, shape planning tools, write submissions, coach and connect โ two housing geeks on a mission.
Recently Completed Projects
Housing Solutions Forum
Designed and facilitated a major regional forum involving 80+ stakeholders across the spectrum of housing planning & development to identify practical actions to build collaborative approaches to housing.
Housing Context
This project involved preparing a Housing Data Snapshot as the basis for the first community stakeholder workshop and preparation of a draft housing Opportunities and Constraints report. A second community stakeholder workshop and preparation of a vacant Land Audit resulted in refinement of the Opportunities and Constraints report and briefing to Councillors prior to adoption of the report.
Collaborative Responses to Worker Housing
Facilitation of linked workshops with local developers, Council, landholders and businesses to understand the scope of the housing shortage and get โshovel readyโ to build worker housing and grow jobs.
Development Advisory Service
Regional Housing Victoria prepared documents and assisted Council to establish a free Development Advisory Service to provide up-front advice to permit applicants to improve the quality of permit applications and increase the supply and diversity of housing.ย
Housing Action: Greater Swan Hill
A major project to engage local stakeholders in driving economic development via housing in a region that is thriving: a community led response, initiated and supported by Council.
Regional Housing Victoria
Assisted several regional Councils to draft and lodge applications for grant funding in Stream1 and 2 of the Commonwealth Housing Support Program.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Designed and delivered a concise survey to members of the Mildura Social & Affordable Housing Taskforce to gather action ideas and priorities, designed and facilitated a workshop with Taskforce members to shape consensus thinking and priorities, and documented outcomes in a concise Action Plan.
Input into Refresh of Social and Affordable Housing Strategy
Phase one: initial workshop with internal stakeholders and report evaluating performance of previous strategy.
Phase two: interviews/consultation with a broad range of stakeholders, report on consultation findings and key themes that will assist Council to refresh its strategy, ran a further internal workshop to test these themes.ย
State Land Advocacy Project
Working with Council to identify potential state land sites, evaluate these for potential to be used for social and affordable housing, met with state land agencies to determine potential outcomes, and provided advice to Council on an approach to advocacy.
Worker Housing to Strengthen the Local Economy and Drive Job Stability
Preparation of a detailed report and recommendations to Council based on information gained during extensive interviews held with local employers, investors, and community organisations, and input gained during a Housing Summit in Swan Hill.
Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance Action Plan 2023-2024
Steve and Roger facilitated a workshop with the six EAHA member Councils and drafting of background report on workshop outcomes and development of the agreed EAHA Action Plan for 2023-2024.
Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA Vic) Industry Roundtable
Steve and Roger facilitated workshop of development, planning, and affordable housing partners on behalf of CHIA and drafting of workshop outcomes.
G21 Region Social Housing Project
Project management of multi-stakeholder regional taskforce to generate new links between Council, developers, housing providers, state government and philanthropy.
Institute of Sisters of Mercy of Australia and PNG
Provided confidential land use and planning advice to the Sisters of Mercy concerning their Ballarat East land holdings.
Altona North Affordable Housing โ Expressions of Interest (EOI)
Prepared the EOI criteria and documentation, managed the process of calling for expressions of interest from interested housing providers, and evaluation report of proposals on behalf of Mirvac for its Altona North (The Fabric) residential project.
Establishment of Trustee of Geelong Affordable Housing Trust
Preparation of the Statement of Intent, criteria, and Expression of Interest documentation for the establishment of a Trustee for the Geelong Affordable Housing Trust.
Review of Affordable Housing Needs Assessment (AHNA)
As subconsultant to Hornsby & Co provided a review of the AHNA for a development within the Shenstone Park Precinct Structure Plan area and assistance with negotiation and permit conditions.
Review of Housing Needs Assessment and Strategy
As subconsultant to Hornsby & Co providing advice to Noosa Shire Council about opportunities to improve access to affordable housing in Noosa Shire using its planning scheme, advocacy to other levels of government, partnerships with established housing providers and other appropriate means.
Bruce Street Residential Development
Steve acted as panel member assisting Colac Otway Shire to evaluate residential development proposals, including opportunities for affordable housing, for its land at Bruce Street, Colac.
Our Partners
RHV acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land across what we now call Victoria. We acknowledge Elders past, present and emerging.
RHV celebrates diversity across the state of Victoria in all its forms: gender, ability, age, ethnicity, and spirituality.
RHV endorses housing forms that are fit for purpose, energy efficient and accessible for all.
Recent BLOGs
I Used to Live in a GEHA House
In the remote town of Werrimul, Victoria, I lived in a Government Employee Housing Authority house provided by the state. This story highlights the crucial role of state-provided housing for essential workers in rural areas and proposes mapping and utilising these properties to better support local communities.
Responding to a Booming Employment Market in Regional Victoria
As we traverse the state, we encounter communities with potential for job growth, but the barrier remains housing. Councils are shifting focus from traditional economic strategies to addressing housing as a critical enabler for development. Initiatives like those in Swan Hill show that with community engagement and innovative approaches, housing can drive economic and social progress.
Meet Our Team
Steve Dunn
DIRECTOR
With over 35 years in senior executive positions in local and state government, not-for-profit sector and consulting, Steve has extensive experience in urban planning, social and affordable housing, economic development.
Previous roles as Planning Director in several Councils, Executive Director at the Victorian Planning Authority, Director of Projects at Homes Victoria and Board Member at Housing First have given Steve a clear and comprehensive perspective on housing policy, funding, management and development.
Steveโs skill set includes advising Councils, community housing providers, developers and industry peak bodies on the critical pathways to delivering affordable housing outcomes.
With qualifications in urban and regional planning, plus a Masters in Business Administration, Steve is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and a Registered Planner.
Roger Hastrich
DIRECTOR
A consultant since 2007, Roger has experience across government and the community sector in aged care, Aboriginal housing, social infrastructure planning and community development.
Core skills of project design, forum facilitation and effective documentation have enabled Roger to successfully complete a diverse range of projects right across rural and regional Victoria.
Many projects have involved facilitating partnerships with multiple stakeholders who do not share a history of collaboration but can see a common strategic goal.
Housing has been a recurring theme throughout this consulting journey and now, given the current crisis, has become the full time obsession focus.