23 June 2026
KDL Property Group recently attended the Affordable Housing Development & Investment Summit in Melbourne, joining industry stakeholders from across the country to discuss the challenge of increasing housing supply.
Representing KDL at the event were Sales & Marketing Manager Mark Fordham and Chief Financial Officer Tony Stocks.
While the two-day summit covered a wide range of topics, five key themes emerged for us.
1. Government commitment remains strong
One of the strongest messages from the event was the Federal Government’s ongoing commitment to addressing Australia’s housing challenges.
Significant progress has already been made through initiatives such as the Housing Australia Future Fund and other housing programs, with industry participants expressing confidence that affordable housing delivery will remain a long-term priority.
2. State and Federal collaboration is improving
The conference highlighted the growing alignment between state and federal governments when it comes to housing delivery.
Increasingly, delivery is being structured through partnership and co-investment models that leverage contributions from multiple levels of government alongside private sector investment.
This collaborative approach is helping unlock projects that may not have otherwise been feasible.
3. Institutional investment continues to grow
Another recurring theme was the increasing role of institutional capital in affordable housing delivery.
Institutional investors and large-scale investment groups are becoming more active participants in the sector, attracted by long-term investment horizons and the growing maturity of affordable housing as an asset class.
This trend is expected to play an increasingly important role in expanding housing supply over the coming decade.
4. Queensland remains a market to watch
Queensland continues to attract strong attention from investors and housing providers, supported by ongoing population growth and economic activity.
There was also discussion around workforce availability, with some industry participants suggesting developers may have a limited window to secure labour resources before major government infrastructure projects increase demand across the construction sector.
For developers delivering housing in South East Queensland, workforce planning remains a key consideration.
5. Technology and AI are becoming part of the solution
Artificial intelligence was a frequent topic throughout the summit, with discussions extending well beyond design and construction.
Industry leaders are increasingly exploring how AI can improve decision-making, streamline project delivery, enhance asset management and support better outcomes throughout the entire housing lifecycle.
While still evolving, many believe these technologies will play an important role in improving efficiency and helping the industry deliver more homes in the years ahead.
Mark said the summit reinforced the importance of collaboration in tackling Australia’s housing challenges.
“We were encouraged to see the level of commitment across government, investors, community housing providers and industry participants,” he said.
“The common theme throughout the event was that meaningful progress is being made when organisations work together with a shared focus on increasing housing supply.”
KDL is at the forefront of partnership approach to affordable housing, delivering large-scale housing solutions in key South East Queensland locations.
