Frequently Asked Questions
More information on Australian Community Housing and its work can be found here, as well as how to join and media contacts.
If you are experiencing family violence, homelessness or are at risk of homelessness, please find a list of resources here. Unfortunately Australian Community Housing cannot help place you in accommodation as we do not manage properties ourselves.
Australian Community Housing (ACH) is the national peak body representing not for profit community housing providers across Australia.
Formed through the 2025 merger of CHIA National and PowerHousing Australia, ACH brings together decades of policy expertise, delivery experience and member advocacy to represent a unified, coordinated sector.
ACH exists to champion the work of its members and ensure that community housing is recognised as essential social and economic infrastructure. We support members, shape national housing policy and strengthen sector capability to expand community housing and improve outcomes for tenants and communities.
Find out more about Australian Community Housing on the ‘About Us’ page.
If you have previously been a member of CHIA or PowerHousing Australia, then we will contact you directly using the contact details we hold for you. This also applies to members who have previously joined through a state peak. From 1 July 2025 ACH will collect its own national fees from members directly, regardless of the state or territory they are based in.
If you would like to join as a new member, please email ACH at info@australiancommunityhousing.org.au for more info.
The fees for Australian Community Housing have been set based on extensive consultation and analysis with members and stakeholders over the past year. There are three fee categories, based on the number of properties your organisation owns and/or manages. There is a single fee per category. For details of membership please email ACH at info@australiancommunityhousing.org.au.
Membership benefits are different for each category, but members can expect access to varying levels of resources, events and networking. Networks and resources established by CHIA and PHA will continue to be available.
Yes, these sites will remain open. Visit www.communityhousing.com.au or www.powerhousing.com.au.
You can contact Hortons in the first instance, ACH’s media agency. Nick Lucchinelli can be reached at headsup@hortonadvisory.com.au
Community housing refers to affordable rental housing managed by not-for-profit organisations. These homes provide secure, affordable accommodation for people on low to moderate incomes who are unable to access private rental markets.
Community housing providers (CHPs) are not-for-profit organisations that re-invest any surplus revenue into new housing, better services or improving our properties – not into dividends for shareholders or executive bonuses.
Different types of housing provided by CHOs include social housing, affordable housing, specialist disability housing (SDA) and transitional housing.
Eligibility criteria vary by state or territory but generally include:
- Low to moderate income earners
- Australian citizens or permanent residents
- Individuals who cannot access private housing or are at risk of homelessness
Visit our website regularly for updates. You can also follow the ACH Linkedin page and will soon be able to subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on community housing across Australia.