Housing Australia has a new chair, with the Albanese government confirming the appointment of Ann Sherry (pictured) to lead the agency through its next phase.
Sherry's arrival comes as the government released an independent Capability Assessment of the organisation, led by Ken Kanofski, timed to give the incoming chair a clear starting brief.
The assessment found Housing Australia has strengthened its governance, systems, and capability over the past 18 months while absorbing rapid growth and new responsibilities. It sets out 13 recommendations to sharpen the agency's execution, all of which the government has endorsed — effectively handing Sherry a structured plan rather than a blank slate.
The stakes are considerable for brokers and their first-home buyer clients. Housing Australia administers the 5% Deposit Scheme and Help to Buy, alongside the Housing Australia Future Fund, all central to the government's ambitious housing goals.
Of the pledged 55,000 social and affordable homes, more than 7,000 are complete, with a large pipeline still moving through planning and construction over the next three years — a timeline that keeps Housing Australia's progress under close scrutiny.
In a media release, minister for Housing Clare O'Neil framed the appointment as reinforcing that focus, saying Sherry brings "exceptional leadership experience and a strong record of delivering results across some of Australia's most significant organisations."
O'Neil added that the pairing of the appointment with the capability review gives the agency "a strong foundation and clear blueprint to take Housing Australia forward."
Sherry herself acknowledged the scale of the task, saying "delivering more houses to address the nation's housing needs is the challenge before Housing Australia and critical for our community."
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