Australian Community Organisers Head to US for Workshop on International Housing
AUSTRALIA — Community organisers Diana Olmos (Sydney) and David Barrow (Newcastle) have been invited to the United States to participate in a Regional Housing Workshop hosted by the Spokane Alliance, as part of the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) Pacific Regional Conference on “Building Homes Through Community Support.”
Running from May 5–9, 2025, the conference will bring together organisers, faith leaders, and local institutions from across the Pacific Northwest to develop community-led responses to the housing crisis.
Diana and David are long-time organisers with the Sydney Alliance and Hunter Community Alliance, where they have worked closely with churches, unions, and community organisations on affordable housing initiatives across New South Wales. They have been invited to share their experiences and participate in training sessions, strategy workshops, and local community meetings.
“We’re pleased to welcome Diana and David to the conference,” said Laurel Fish, organiser with the Spokane Alliance. “Their work in Australia adds a valuable international perspective to our shared challenges around housing.”
After the Spokane workshop, they will travel to Portland (OR), Seattle (WA), and Missoula (MT) to meet with local congregations and community partners exploring similar grassroots approaches to housing and development.
The visit comes at a time of renewed efforts across the US to reduce regulatory barriers and strengthen local coalitions around housing justice.
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