Housing and Beyond
Building Belonging
We work alongside developers, housing providers and partners to build belonging and the social foundations of thriving communities, from the inside out.
Across Australia, thousands of homes are being delivered every year. But while housing can be built quickly community takes time, intention, and care to grow.
At the Jeder Institute, we focus on what happens next.
We work with developers, housing providers, local government and community partners to support the social life of neighbourhoods, strengtheningrelationships, belonging, connection, and local leadershipfrom the very beginning.
This includes a strong focus on reducing social isolation and loneliness and, where possible,preventing it before it occursby creating the conditions for connection, belonging, and participation from day one.
Because isolation shouldn’t be designed into our communities.
Our Experience
Our team brings a unique combination of lived experience and professional expertise across the housing system.
We understand housing from multiple perspectives, including:
- Lived experience of housing insecurity and homelessness
- Working within housing organisations and systems
- Supporting people through homelessness and housing services
- Delivering training and capability building with frontline practitioners
- Partnering with developers and communities to deliver long-term, place-based work
This depth of experience allows us to work relationally, practically, and with credibility across sectors.
What We Do
We support housing developments and communities through:
- Community building in new and existing developments
- Co-designed, multi-year community leadership programs
- Resident engagement and participation strategies
- Strengthening social infrastructure design and local connection
- Facilitation, training and capacity building for staff and partners
Our work is grounded in Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) and participatory approaches that recognise and mobilise the strengths already present within communities.
Our Approach
We believe that:
- Buildings and landscapes don’t create community, people do
- Strong communities are built by activating local strengths, relationships and leadership
- Participation is not a one-off activity, but an ongoing process
- Community is something that is grown, not delivered
- Preventing isolation and loneliness starts with connection from the outset, not as a response later
This is what we call working from the inside out.
Call to Action
If you’re working in housing, development or place-based projects and want to explore how to build stronger, more connected communities, Let’s start a conversation.
Get in touch to learn how we can support your work and explore how community-led approaches can strengthen your next project.
