Chels Hood Withey’s advocacy for economic reform emerges from their frontline experience with climate disasters and housing injustice in the Northern Rivers. As a lead organiser in the Community Disaster Action Group and founder of House You, they’ve provided evidence to parliamentary inquiries on climate impacts, insurance affordability, and disaster recovery. Their work shows how current tax and funding structures affect both immediate disaster response and long-term community resilience. Through democratic assemblies and direct action, Chels has achieved concrete wins – from securing temporary housing in buyback government-owned properties to receiving a commitment from Council to establish Byron’s Dignity Village – while advocating for systemic reform of disaster funding and public housing investment. Their presentation to the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act Review highlighted how community-led solutions, when properly resourced, can transform disaster recovery and climate adaptation. At the Community Tax Summit, they bring crucial insights into funding the urgent housing and climate solutions our communities need.
