Examines new decision-making and business models in the not-for-profit housing sector in the face of new policy frameworks and market challenges.

Key points:

• Not-for-profit (NFP) housing organisations are changing in corporate structure, business scope and geographic reach to sustain, and in some cases expand, their core social mission.
• Organisations can be described as becoming more hybrid in nature as they strive to strike a balance  between a business and a social ethos.
• In response to an uncertain and changing environment, leading Australian NFP housing organisations are diversifying their businesses, pursuing cross-subsidy opportunities and economies of scale, and obtaining private finance.
• While housing policy and national regulation has impacted on organisational business practices and improved private funding prospects, a robust policy and funding framework which provides clarity and certainty for investors and has the support of all Australian governments is critical to support the development of an innovative, larger and more sustainable NFP housing sector.