Raise the Roof

Fiona speaks with Lucas Testro from Council to Homeless Persons about their new report "Employed and at Risk 2026: Working Homelessness in Victoria," which shows an increase in the number of people working fulltime yet still at risk of homelessness. We talk about the upcoming State election and the need for 8000 public and community homes to be built every year for ten years to meet current demand...

Shane and Fiona talk to Lisa Ewenson from UTS about her research into older women's experience of housing precarity as it connects to care work and climate change. 

Anika Legal recently released a report, in partnership with HAAG and the Council to Single Mothers and their Families, examining retaliatory evictions. We hear from Justice Kevin Bell, former Supreme Court judge, about his thoughts on housing as a human right and the implications of this report. To read the report go to Evicted - Anika Legal - September 2026

Shane and Fiona talk about HAAG's services and working groups 

Shane and Fiona talk to Johnathon Gurry, the Director of Policy and Research at VCOSS, about their new report into the impact of floods on disadvantaged Victorians, Turning the Tide. 

Fiona talks to Bridget, one ofu HAAG's housing champions about what she wants politicians to know ahead of the Victorian election. Fiona then talks about the Better Buses in the West campaign, who spoke at our General Meeting. you can find out more here https://www.melbournefoe.org.au/better_buses_campaignThe Retirement Village Roadshow information is here  

Shane and Fiona talk to Jenny, one of HAAG's housing champions about her own journey from successful businesswoman to couch surfing before finding HAAG and moving into community housing. We discuss why decision makers need to listen to older people in the upcoming election.

Fiona talks to two recent graduates of HAAG's new housing champions program, Ian and Lyrae, both who are public tenants living in 55+ housing. We have a wide ranging discussion touching on the importance of housing, why we need to retain 55+ housing, the older persons high rise redevelopment program, and whay genuine consultation looks like.

Shane and Fiona talk to Richard and Mary Kath from Open Place about the Forgotten Australians, people who spent time in institutions or out of home care as children, and the impact that has on their lives as adults. You can find out more about Open Place via their website https://www.openplace.org.au/  

Noel Lim, co-founder of Anika Legal, tells us about a new report looking at renting as an essential service, and discusses changing the way we think about renting. It includes data from a national survey, showing strong support for bold recommendations for change.\To find out more www.anikalegal.org.au

Shane and Fiona talk to Sue, a resident of Ingenia Gardens about the recent fine they receivied for not providing proper kitchens. She talks about the pros and cons about living in rental villages, and what the win means for residents. Shane goes into detail about the decision of Consumer Affairs Victoria, and what it might mean for other providers of this type of accomodation.

Shane and Fiona talk to Bryan Lippman, founder of Wintringham, a unique service for older people who have experienced homelessness, providing aged care, housing and support. Bryan reflects on his legacy and the origins of Wintringham, the challenges of sustaining the service and what's changed over the last 30+ years. To find out more about Wintringham, check out their website https://www.wintring...

Fiona and Liz talk to Therese Hall about her recently completed PhD, where she interviewed 36 older women about their experiences in trying to find housing and navigate the unfriendly housing and homelessness systems in northern rivers area of NSW and Gold Coast region of Qld.

This episode we hear edited highlights from the panel 'What do people really think about the housing crisis?' from the Progress 2026 conference, with speakers including Ben Spies-Butcher and Alistair Sisson (Macquarie University), Maiy Azise (Everybody's Home) and Leo Patterson Ross (NSW Tenants Union). 

Shane and Liz talk to Hoda and Melis about their work for HAAG in multicultural communities and the barriers older people from migrant backgrounds face in Victoria's housing system. 

We hear an interview by Danielle from the Save Public Housing Collective speaking to Dr Rachel Iampolski, and Urban geographer who has pursued a heritage listing of some of the 44 public housing estates. 

Fiona talks to Liz and Sally about their work in the Tenancy and Retirement team - affectionally known as TARTs - involving wrap around support for older people living in private rental, retirement villages, residential parks, caravan parks and rental villages. To call the service, 03 96547389 option 2www.oldertenants.org.au/retirement

Fiona and Liz talk about the redevelopment of seven older persons public housing high rise towers, and what this means for tenants and the future of older peoples public housing in Victoria.

Fiona and Liz talk to Margareta Windisch about the findings of her new PHD research into older women and heatwaves. We discuss the structural issues that impact on older women and how they cope with the increasing heat, in all types of housing. 

Fiona and Liz talk to Teresa, Anne and Leanne about the impact of the fires and heatwaves on vulnerable older renters in northern Victoria. Consumer Affairs Victoria disaster help: 1300 55 8181

Shane and Fiona speak to Lynn and Aradia about our recent Canberra trip, launching the report Priced Out and Run Down: Older Australians in unaffordable and poor condition housing. They speak about their experiences as older renters, and what they thought of meeting politicians in Canberra. 

Shane talks to Noel Lim, CEO of Anika Legal, about their recently released report 'Unrepresented: Improving VCAT and RDRV for self-represented litigants'.

Shane and Liz talk to David Kelly from the Centre for Urban Research about the Centre's research and the idea of dwelling justice. We also talk about legal changes to the rules for no-reason evictions and who'll be excluded from the new protections, and the winners of the Victorian government's Social Housing Volunteer Awards. 

Shane and Fiona speak to Wendy Morris and Amity James about their participation at the National Housing Conference in Perth, where they both spoke on a panel about gender responsive housing policies. Wendy Morris is a HAAG member and Amity James is an Associate Professor at Curtin University. 

Liz and Shane talk to Lucas Tresto from CHP about their forthcoming exhibition series Walk In Her Shoes, and what the homelessness sector can learn from people who've experienced homelessness.