The JHNA Insights

Dr Johari Hussein Nassor Amar
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We design the world around one version of life. Then life changes. The JHNA Insights is a podcast grounded in a human centric built environment, bringing people, place, property and progress into one conversation. Each episode draws on research, practice and lived experience to explore how we live, move, work and belong. If the system has ever felt like it was not designed with you in mind, you are not imagining it.

  1. Episode 2.1: A Home Should Last a Lifetime But Most Don’t with Dr Tanja Tyvimaa

    25 APR

    Episode 2.1: A Home Should Last a Lifetime But Most Don’t with Dr Tanja Tyvimaa

    We design homes for one version of your life. Then life happens. Australia spends around $500 million a year adapting homes after a fall or injury, not counting the costs when households grow, shrink or shift in what they need. These costs show up later but they start with how we design and build. In this episode, I speak with Finland-based housing specialist Dr Tanja Tyvimaa about why housing needs to work across a lifetime, not just at move-in. She is involved with the Carbon Neutral Tampere 2030 initiative, with work centred on the building life cycle in residential development across municipal government, private developers and investors, and has led projects at universities in Finland, Australia and the US. From everyday design decisions to system-level choices, the question is simple. Why are we still building homes most people will outgrow?

    43 min
  2. Episode 1.13 Navigating the Rental Market During Housing Crisis with Alice Pennycott and Leo Paterson Ross

    15/12/2025

    Episode 1.13 Navigating the Rental Market During Housing Crisis with Alice Pennycott and Leo Paterson Ross

    Renting in Australia is no longer just expensive. It is unstable, exhausting and quietly wearing people down. In this episode of Navigating the Rental Market During Housing Crisis, I am joined by Alice Pennycott, Principal Lawyer (Tenancy) at Circle Green Community Legal in WA, and Leo Paterson-Ross, CEO of the Tenants' Union of NSW and a representative of the National Association of Tenant Organisations. This is an honest conversation about what renters are facing, beyond the headlines and the data: Why Australia’s rental system rewards profit while stability falls through the cracksHow vacancy rates mask the reality of people being pushed out, not just priced upWhy doing everything right no longer protects renters from serious mental and financial strainWhy different eviction laws in NSW and WA still produce the same fear of losing homeWhat we lost when housing stopped being a public good, and why rebuilding at scale mattersWhy rental or homelessness insurance won't solve this, and what actually wouldThis conversation names what renters know but rarely say out loud: the fear of being labelled difficult, the data you give up just to compete and the exhaustion of living on the edge. Contrary to what we hear often, this is not a wicked or unsolvable crisis. It’s systemic, human-made and entirely fixable — not through personal resilience, but by changing a system broken by design. What would it actually take to make renting stable, dignified again and humane again? If you rent, work in housing or want to understand why so many people feel stuck despite doing everything right, this is a grounded and necessary discussion worth listening to. #HousingAffordability #HousingInsecurity #HousingJustice #NSWRenters #TenancyRights #WArenters

    59 min
  3. Episode 1.12 Reframing the role of inclusive housing in Australia’s traditional housing system with Nicole Makin-Doherty

    28/10/2025

    Episode 1.12 Reframing the role of inclusive housing in Australia’s traditional housing system with Nicole Makin-Doherty

    Before recording this Episode 12, I read a story about a man who had been given a bath all his life and was finally able to take his first independent shower after moving into an accessible home. That moment captures my conversation with Nicole Makin-Doherty, CEO and Managing Director of Empowered Liveability, about dignity, independence and inclusion and why so many Australians are still locked out of housing that works for them We explored why only 5% of new homes meet basic accessibility standards and how more than 40% of SDA rooms are unoccupied while thousands of people are still searching for a place to live. Nicole explained how this mismatch comes down to location, design and misunderstanding of how the NDIS actually works and what can be done to fix it. Here are some key takeaways: Why over 1,000 SDA homes are vacant and how location, design and policy all play a roleThe biggest misconception investors have about SDA and why the NDIS doesn’t guarantee rentHow inclusive design benefits everyone, from parents with prams to people recovering from injury and anyone who wants to age in placeThe crossover between SDA and social housing could help bridge the gap for people who need accessible homes but aren’t NDIS participants People thrive when they can stay in their own homes. We need to move beyond compliance and design truly inclusive communities that don’t lock people out by focusing on: Physical access – homes that work for daily lifeSensory access – design that support sensory needsFinancial access – housing that is affordable, not just availableAgeing in place – staying close to family improves health and connectionCommunity access – transport, public spaces and workplaces that include everyone Any of us could need accessible housing tomorrow. Inclusive homes and infrastructure create communities that support independence, connection and dignity for everyone. Resources mentioned: Housing Hub – quarterly data on demand and fundingSummer Foundation – research and advocacy on accessible housingEmpowered Livability – provider insights and case studies #AccessibleHousing #SDA #NDIS #AgeingInPlace #UniversalDesign #DisabilityInclusion #SocialImpact

    42 min
  4. Episode 1.11: After the flood - Policy pathways for housing and buybacks in climate-affected communities with Danny Rose and Patrick Leahy

    23/10/2025

    Episode 1.11: After the flood - Policy pathways for housing and buybacks in climate-affected communities with Danny Rose and Patrick Leahy

    Over the past 48 hours, four states - Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria - have been hit by extreme weather. Record-breaking October heat, destructive winds and severe storms have left parts of the country reeling from floods and widespread power outages. If anyone still thinks climate change is a future problem, look outside. By 2050, more than one million Australian homes could be uninsurable. According to the Climate Council, flood-prone properties have already lost $42 billion in value and disaster costs are projected to reach $73 billion each year. In Episode 12, I spoke with Danny Rose, Manager Roads and Stormwater Engineering at ⁠Tweed Shire Council⁠ and Deputy President ⁠Floodplain Management Australia⁠, ⁠ and ⁠Patrick Leahy⁠, Director at ⁠SG Group Real Estate Advisors,⁠ about what happens after the disaster . We explored what happens after disaster strikes and how communities are rethinking resilience. Here is what they shared: How the 2011 and 2022 floods reshaped entire regions and led many residents to stop rebuildingWhat happens to roads, drainage and utilities when buybacks transform neighbourhoodsHow councils decide what to rebuild, relocate or retire to reduce future riskWhy advanced flood modelling and the checkerboard effect are changing where new homes can be safely approvedHow buyback lessons are informing recovery in bushfire, wind and landslide-prone areasWhy community education and trust-building are essential before disaster strikes We are already seeing this play out across NSW and QLD as communities work out what it really means to rebuild safely. This episode builds on: Episode 8 Engineering and Planning Solutions for a Climate-Ready Australia with Pradesh Ramiah and Rob CowleEpisode 10 Can we solve the housing AND climate crisis at the same time? with Ammon Beyerle and Jeremy Mansfield OAM 🎧 Tune in to hear how councils and communities are rewriting the rulebook on rebuilding after disaster, and what it means for your home, your investment and your future. Resources mentioned: Australia’s National Climate Risk Assessment (2025) – Australian Climate ServiceFloodplain Management Australia – national network for flood resilience and planningTweed Shire Council Floodplain Management – practical examples of recovery and adaptation #Buybacks #BuiltEnvironment #HousingResilience #FloodManagement #SustainableHousing

    43 min
  5. Episode 1.10: Can we solve the housing AND climate crisis at the same time with Ammon Beyerle and Jeremy Mansfield OAM

    20/10/2025

    Episode 1.10: Can we solve the housing AND climate crisis at the same time with Ammon Beyerle and Jeremy Mansfield OAM

    Australia needs 1.2 million new homes by 2029, yet housing stress, rising homelessness and climate risks are intensifying. A typical new home releases around 185 tonnes of CO₂ before anyone moves in, and housing and construction already make up nearly 20% of national emissions. In this Episode 10, I spoke with Ammon Beyerle, Architect & Director of Here Studio, and Jeremy Mansfield OAM, Board Chair of Green Cross Australia and Founder/Director of Mansfield Advisory Pty Ltd about how adaptive reuse and nature-based urban design can help deliver the homes we need while cutting carbon and building more liveable communities. A few things from our chat really stayed with me: 40% of carbon is locked in existing buildings and we simply can’t afford to demolish them all90% of existing buildings will need redesigning by 2040, not just for carbon but for accessibility and maintenance Key worker housing affordability has dropped below 1% in some Australian cities indicating secure job is no longer enough to guarantee a place to live for manyNearly every regional town in Australia has an underutilised heritage buildings that could provide housing Ammon shared his vision to transform 1,000 empty buildings across 1,000 towns in 10 years – not as the full solution, but to instill the culture of "We can’t afford to solve all problems by building everything new but work with what we’ve got". Jeremy questioned why we don’t have consistent policies across Australia’s 500+ planning schemes that ask: “Do we really need to build new?” We also talked about: How walkable, nature-connected neighbourhoods can reduce emissions and improve wellbeingHow ecological design, e.g. using trees, green spaces and natural systems, can cool cities and lower embodied carbonHow lightweight timber extensions can add three or more affordable housing floors without demolitionThe $1.3 billion Household Energy Upgrades Fund and the need to measure what actually requires upgradingWhy success should be measured beyond carbon – through inclusion, health and resilience If you care about housing policy, sustainability or urban design, this episode builds on earlier conversations about rooming accommodation, airspace development and modern methods of construction – exploring how innovation and policy can work together to meet housing targets while moving toward net zero. #SustainableHousing #Nature-basedUrbanDesign #AdaptiveReuse #Decarbonisation #ClimateAction #BuiltEnvironment #NetZero

    47 min
  6. Episode 1.9: How Rooming Houses Could Help the Housing Crisis (If Policy Let Them) with Paul Zanetti

    13/10/2025

    Episode 1.9: How Rooming Houses Could Help the Housing Crisis (If Policy Let Them) with Paul Zanetti

    When more than 10,000 Australians experience homelessness every month and rental vacancy rates sit just above 1%, you would think every state would be doing everything possible to encourage affordable housing. The reality tells a different story. In this episode, I am joined by Paul Zanetti, Founder and Director of Brisbane Rooming Houses, to explore a housing model that provides secure, executive-style studios (30-60 sqm) designed for long-term residents at a more affordable price than traditional rentals, featuring: Private ensuite and kitchenetteAll bills included (power, water, internet)Furnishings, air conditioning and digital securityCommunal spaces that encourage social connection and reduce isolationRents around $400–$500 per week compared with $700+ for a typical one-bedroom apartment There is strong demand for this housing, especially from low-income workers and vulnerable households, and half of all enquiries come from couples who could share costs at about $200 each per week. However, Queensland’s rules prohibit shared occupancy, creating another barrier to supply when affordability is already under pressure. In the past five years, Queensland has gained about 146,000 new residents from other states, leading the nation in population growth. Yet it remains the only state charging up to $26,000 per room in infrastructure fees, rising by $2,000 each year, and adding more than $130,000 to a typical five-room project before construction even begins. Our discussion explores: Whether infrastructure charges reflect genuine growth costs or are limiting new housing supplyWhat Victoria and Western Australia are doing differently to attract investment and expand affordable optionsHow ‘convenient living’ of accommodation can reduce rental stress and create faster pathways to housingThe real cost of policy inaction and what reforms could make an immediate difference Paul’s key message is clear: government and private providers need to work together. With 95% of Australia’s housing delivered by the private sector, supporting affordable models like rooming accommodation could make a meaningful difference fast. 🎧 Listen to Episode 9 to hear: How small regulatory changes could halve rent for many tenantsReal examples of investment shifting between statesWhat practical reforms could unlock thousands of affordable roomsWhy renting out rooms without proper rooming or boarding certification can lead to planning breaches, insurance issues and tax liabilities For so long, the focus has been on Airbnb reducing long-term rental supply, yet rooming accommodation is growing but restricted by policy inconsistencies, highlighting the need to consider whether housing policy should be consistent across the nation or responsive to state/territories plans. #RoomingAccommodation #HousingCrisis #AffordableHousing #QueenslandHousing #UrbanPolicy #InfrastructureCharges

    42 min
  7. Episode 1.8: Engineering and planning solutions for a safer, more affordable climate-ready with Pradesh Ramiah and Rob Cowle

    30/09/2025

    Episode 1.8: Engineering and planning solutions for a safer, more affordable climate-ready with Pradesh Ramiah and Rob Cowle

    Climate change, housing affordability and infrastructure resilience are colliding into one of Australia’s biggest challenges. Disaster costs already exceed $38 billion a year and are projected to reach $73 billion by 2060 – with Queensland and NSW expected to bear two-thirds of the burden. At the same time, property values in high-risk zones continue to rise even as insurance costs make many homes unliveable or uninsurable. In Episode 8 of my podcast, I am joined by two leading experts at the intersection of planning and climate resilience: Pradesh Ramiah – Urban and Environmental Planner at Moreton Bay Council, experienced in sustainable development and climate adaptation across Queensland and NSRob Cowle – Property Risk Consultant and Director at B3Creative and Greenstar Accredited Professional, helping communities future-proof property and business assets The conversation explores some big questions: With all 13 ‘Black Zone’ suburbs (where more than 80% of homes are high risk) still recording price growth, how can planning systems redirect housing to safer locations while keeping it affordable?Should Australia focus more on managed retreat, adapting in place or building denser housing in safer zones especially when 1.2 million homes are already climate-exposed?Why isn’t climate-ready construction standard practice when resilient features add just 2-3% to costs but can halve disaster repair bills?How should we respond when insurers withdraw from high-risk areas, with premiums in North Queensland already exceeding $5,000 a year?What would a climate-adapted housing system look like in 2040 and which international lessons could Australia adopt now? Find out why these final pieces of future-proofing advice matter for Australia's climate-ready housing future: Strengthen the NCC to address climate risks at location, precinct and property levelsWhen buying or renting, check for gaps and cracks that affect energy efficiencyMake climate risk disclosure mandatory, as most people don’t know what to askBalance permanent and relocatable housing in resilience planning and buyback programs 🎧 Tune in to Episode 8 to hear some practical and innovative solutions for building safer and more resilient communities in a changing climate

    59 min
  8. Episode 1.7: Modern methods of construction and scaling housing supply in Australia with Nicholas O'Neill and Damien Crough

    21/09/2025

    Episode 1.7: Modern methods of construction and scaling housing supply in Australia with Nicholas O'Neill and Damien Crough

    Traditional construction now takes about 55 weeks just to finish one home and meanwhile more than 160,000 households are waiting for social housing. On top of that around 10,000 people fall into homelessness every month. We can’t keep up if we keep building the old way. In this Episode 7 of Season 1 Australian Housing Challenges and Solutions I talk with Nicholas O’Neill, Managing Director at Moov Modular, and Damien Crough, Co-founder and Executive Chairman of prefabAUS, about how prefab and modular housing might help ease Australia’s housing crisis by delivering the speed, quality and affordability we desperately need. What we ask How do prefab homes get built in 16 weeks versus 55 weeks and, if it works, why isn't everyone doing it?Why is some legislation e.g. NSW's Manufactured Building Act still blocking prefab homes that meet the NCC and even preventing the local governments from delivering affordable and social housing?Could prefab be the most practical option for regional and remote areas where builders are scarce and climate demands are tough?How do different transport rules across state borders create hidden costs and extra complexity for moving modular homes?Why does CommBank now back prefab mortgages and how do factory checks ensure fewer defects and lower risks thank traditional projects? Things you will discover How the end of the car industry in 2010s transferred automation knowledge and skills into the prefab sectorThere are six categories of prefab with 1,190+ companies in the supply chain, creating resilience but requiring coordination for quality standardsUpcoming release of a standardised contract backed by major banks will boost lender participation and build confidence in finance, planning and regulation.Channel 9 will air the TV program 'Epic Builds: The 90-Day Challenge' in 2026 showcasing the speed, quality and performance of prefab construction including its benefits for the housing sector. Damien and Nick cautioned that not all construction companies and builders have the expertise in MMC. It requires knowledge of both factory manufacturing processes and site-specific solutions, from assessing access constraints to matching the right prefab methodology to each location’s unique conditions. Stay informed about prefab housing regulations and certification schemes, and explore industry information plus a directory of local manufacturers and builders by state through resources such as the NCC Modern Method of Construction Handbook, prefabaus.org.au, CommBank Prefabricated Homes Keywords: affordable and social housing, Australian housing crisis, housing finance, modular housing, modern methods of construction (MMC), prefab construction, sustainable housing

    43 min
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About

We design the world around one version of life. Then life changes. The JHNA Insights is a podcast grounded in a human centric built environment, bringing people, place, property and progress into one conversation. Each episode draws on research, practice and lived experience to explore how we live, move, work and belong. If the system has ever felt like it was not designed with you in mind, you are not imagining it.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Johari Hussein Nassor Amar
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr Johari Hussein Nassor Amar
  • Show Website
    The JHNA Insights