Community Development Australia

Community Development Australia (CDA) is a national network of community development, engagement, participation, and placemaking practitioners and stakeholders committed to strengthening communities and improving the lives of people living in community housing across Australia.

Established in May 2023, CDA has evolved as a national movement and centre of practice advancing community development across Australia’s housing sector. Through shared learning, collaboration, evidence-informed practice, and sector leadership, CDA supports stronger, more connected, inclusive and resilient communities.

Our network brings together practitioners, housing providers, researchers, government partners and community leaders with national and international expertise in community development, tenant participation, placemaking, wellbeing, engagement and place-based practice.

We believe community development creates the conditions that reduce inequality, strengthen belonging and enable people and communities to thrive.

 CDA supports the community housing sector to strengthen:

• Tenant participation and community voice 
• Community engagement and leadership 
• Social inclusion and wellbeing 
• Place-based and community-led development 
• Collaborative learning and sector capacity 
• Evidence-informed and reflective practice 
• Partnerships, advocacy, and innovation 

Through national collaboration and shared practice, CDA helps foster thriving housing communities where people can participate, contribute, connect and shape the places where they live.

• Fred Docking – Venture Housing NT
• Jo Forman, ACH
• Dare Kavanagh – Homes NSW
• Jandy McCandless – Hume NSW
• Maree McKenzie – Homes North NSW
• Steve Neale, CHL NSW
• Elliott Stock – Uniting Vic
• Jesse Taylor – Mission Australia Housing (Founding Coordinator)
• Adam West – CHIA NSW
• Bec Wooley – Loreto CH Tasmania

Acknowledgement

Retired Steering Committee Member: 

Wendy Hayhurst - CHIA National