Published 23 Jun 2026
S5. Ep 10. Talking with Brad Duggan and Rob Pradolin about Housing All Australians, Housing Affordability, Homelessness, and Compassionate Capitalism
This one matters, because housing is no longer just a policy issue, it is a community issue, an economic issue and an industry issue.
In this episode of The Building Talks Podcast, I sit down with returning guest Rob Pradolin from Housing All Australians, alongside Brad Duggan, CEO of Metricon Homes, Australia's largest home builder. We get into the growing challenge of housing affordability, homelessness and what happens when everyday Australians are slowly priced out of safe, stable accommodation.
This is not just a conversation about the scale of the problem, it is about practical action. We talk about the role the private sector can play, the work Housing All Australians (with the support of companies like Metricon) are already doing to create short-term accommodation from vacant buildings, and why the stigma around social and affordable housing needs to shift. We also look at why property is tied so closely to security and identity in Australia, how more people are being pushed further from stable housing, and where the construction and property sector can step up with practical solutions.
Takeaways:
- ✅Why housing affordability is now everyone's issue
- ✅The growing divide between property owners and those locked out
- ✅How vacant buildings can become short term accommodation
- ✅Why the private sector has a major role to play
- ✅Challenging the stigma around social and affordable housing
- ✅What Housing All Australians and Metricon are doing in practice
- ✅Why property sits so deeply in the Australian mindset
Chapters:
- 04:05 - The State of Homelessness in Australia
- 09:50 - Metricon's Involvement in Housing Solutions
- 17:09 - Awakening to the Homelessness Issue
- 21:42 - Barriers to Housing Solutions
- 23:27 - Urgent Housing Needs and Support Mechanisms
- 25:53 - Engaging Private Sector Partners
- 27:08 - Repurposing Buildings for Housing
- 29:18 - Skills and Services Needed in Housing Projects
- 32:34 - Corporate Responsibility in Housing
- 39:57 - Stigma and Perception of Social Housing
- 46:54 - Bridging the Housing Divide
- 50:04 - Future of Housing Initiatives
- 56:53 - Call to Action for Community Involvement
Tune in for a thoughtful and practical conversation about housing, community and what the property and construction industry can do to help.
Hope you enjoy the podcast!
#AustralianHousingCrisis #HousingAllAustralians #Metricon #AffordableHomesAustralia #SafeHousingForAll #HomelessnessSolutions #PropertyAndConstruction #BuiltEnvironmentAustralia #HousingSolutions #SocialImpactProperty #CommunityHousing #IndustryLedChange #BuildingTalksPodcast
The Building Talks Podcast is brought to you by Building Environs Recruitment - providing recruitment solutions to the property, construction, and related industries, here in Melbourne and Southeast Queensland. For an overview of our service, visit:
www.buildingenvirons.com.au
Proud to partner with Housing All Australians (HAA) and The Building and Construction Foundation. Check out their websites and join the movement!
www.housingallaustralians.org.au
https://www.buildingandconstructionfoundation.org.au/
The views and information shared in this podcast are for general purposes only and do not constitute legal or professional advice. Neither the host nor guests are providing specific guidance. Please seek professional advice before taking any action based on the content of this podcast.
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