My Home Network
What is My Home Network?
My Home Network was formed in 2019 in response to increasing community concern about the lack of affordable, safe, secure, and sustainable housing across Mount Alexander Shire, and the resulting crisis of homelessness/being unhoused.
Our vision is for people in Mount Alexander Shire to have access to safe, affordable, secure, sustainable and appropriate housing that recognises their place in and connections to Community and Country.
We believe that housing delivery and reform is linked to community health and wellbeing, social inclusion, gender equality, support of gender diversity, Indigenous self-determination and climate change adaptation, indeed part of a broader and deeper system change that builds a more equitable society.
What does My Home Network do?
My Home Network advocates for:
- greater housing support for vulnerable people in the community
- increased and improved crisis, transition, social and affordable housing provision.
My Home Network also explores innovative solutions with local community members to meet the long-term housing needs and reduce housing stress.
Who's in My Home Network?
My Home Network comprises:
- local people with lived experience of housing crisis and homelessness
- community members with significant experience and expertise in delivering social housing programs
- a diverse range of housing networks and initiatives
- community organisations
- local and state government bodies.
My Home Network includes the following organisations and community groups:
- Dhelkaya Health
- Haven Home Safe
- St Vincent De Paul
- Castlemaine Community House
- Mount Alexander Shire Disability Advocacy Group
- Mount Alexander Eco Housing Group
- Mount Alexander Community Land Ltd
- Mount Alexander Shire Accommodation and Respite Group
- Mount Alexander Sustainability Group
- Castlemaine Institute
- Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation
My Home Network also works closely with Mount Alexander Shire Council.
Tiny Homes on Wheels Working Group
In 2023 the Tiny Homes on Wheels (THOW) Working Group successfully advocated for changes to our local bylaws. The changes mean that a tiny house on wheels can now be on land with a permanent dwelling indefinitely and without a permit.
The Working Group is supporting those interested in THOW and helping to match them with people keen to host a THOW next on their land. They’re also exploring options for THOW clusters.
If you’re interested in looking into matches as a THOW owner or land owner, the following information might help:
My Home Network Working Groups
And the current working groups include:
- a vacant dwellings working group working to encourage the release of the 1,300 vacant dwellings in our Shire as affordable rentals or transition housing
- a tiny homes on wheels working group – further details can be found in the box further down this page
- a Homeshare working group supporting Dhelkaya Health’s Homeshare program. The program brings two unrelated people together to share a home and their lives for the benefit of both.
an advocacy working group which advocates for increasing wages, pensions and parenting payments to match the consumer price index, increased crisis and transition housing, increased social housing, diverse housing including specialist disability accommodation, culturally safe housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and housing for our elders.
- a tenants rights working group which raises awareness of, and advocates for tenant’s rights.
Resources
My Home Network regularly publishes an update to keep the community informed about My Home Network’s activities and events.
10-Year Strategy
We have published a 10-Year Social and Affordable Housing Strategy Summary. This summary looks at:
- local housing needs and
dynamics - quantitative and qualitative data
- strategic objectives and associated actions
- short, medium and long-term targets.
My Home Network Updates
We also regularly publish an information update. You can read the latest update here or browse through past editions:
How to get involved
You can help by:
- joining a My Home Network working group
- signing up to the My Home Network mailing list
- discussing the potential of releasing your vacant dwelling as an affordable rental or transition housing or donating or selling land to local housing initiatives
- assisting in community responses/supports for those in housing crisis.
