Australia’s housing crisis isn’t just a social problem — it’s an economic one.

In this episode, Robert Pradolin, founder of Housing All Australians, argues that secure, affordable housing must be treated as essential infrastructure for the nation’s prosperity. With over 40 years in residential development, Robert brings both insider knowledge and bold solutions to a system that has been failing for decades.

We dig into how the private sector can mobilise unused buildings as “pop-up shelters,” why compassionate capitalism is redefining the role of developers, and how innovative construction methods like lightweight timber can cut costs and carbon emissions. Robert also lays out the staggering numbers behind the crisis: a $290 billion shortfall in social and affordable housing, and the economic risks of inaction — including the threat of civil unrest.

The conversation challenges the myth that profit and purpose are mutually exclusive, showing instead how private capital, community land, and government policy could combine to unlock large-scale solutions. We also explore global models like inclusionary zoning, what Australia can learn from them, and the need for a national pipeline of prefabricated housing.

If you’ve ever wondered why governments keep stalling, what’s holding back institutional investment, and what it will really take to solve this crisis, this episode is essential listening. The message is clear: housing for all isn’t optional — it’s the foundation of a stable, productive, and fair society.

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Introduction

01:51 – The Journey and Motivation Behind Housing All Australians

03:04 – Compassionate Capitalism and Private Sector Involvement

04:10 – Strategies and Initiatives for Affordable Housing

05:52 – Success Stories and Case Studies

09:51 – Challenges and Economic Imperatives

21:23 – Comparing Global Approaches to Affordable Housing

26:21 – Innovative Construction Techniques and The Green Project

27:57 – The Cost of Urban Growth and Housing Diversity

28:51 – Timber Construction and Its Benefits

30:43 – Innovations in Construction Techniques

33:15 – The Role of Government and Private Sector in Housing

35:18 – Addressing Homelessness and Housing Affordability

37:30 – Unlocking Empty Bedrooms for Key Workers

43:11 – Final Thoughts and Recommendations

About the Guest

Robert Pradolin is the founder of Housing All Australians, a national for-purpose organisation working to harness the resources of the private sector to deliver housing solutions for vulnerable Australians. With a 40-year career spanning greenfield subdivisions to high-rise towers, Robert has held senior roles in some of the country’s largest property companies.

His journey from mainstream development to housing advocacy was sparked by a confronting realisation: while the industry was serving those who could afford it, government had abandoned its responsibility to house society’s most vulnerable. Since then, Robert has become one of the most vocal advocates for treating housing as essential economic infrastructure, not just social welfare.

Through Housing All Australians, he has spearheaded projects repurposing vacant buildings into temporary shelter, advanced economic research on the cost-benefit of social housing, and promoted innovative construction methods to reduce costs and emissions. His vision of “compassionate capitalism” challenges the perception of developers as greedy profiteers and instead calls for a business-led response to one of Australia’s most urgent crises.

Connect with Robert

Website: https://housingallaustralians.org.au/about-us/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-pradolin/

Resources

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