How can a targeted approach make housing affordability achievable? In this episode of the Australian Property Investment Podcast, Aaron Christie-David talks to Stephen Woodlands, the visionary behind Head Start Homes.

Stephen shares his journey—from facing homelessness to creating innovative solutions for low-income families to achieve homeownership. With practical insights and heartfelt stories, this episode highlights how collaboration and innovation can pave the way for financial freedom and stability.

Key Topics Covered:

• How Stephen’s personal story inspired the creation of Head Start Homes
• Overcoming the deposit, supply, and knowledge barriers to homeownership
• The game-changing affordable rent-to-buy and equity-plus models
• Powerful success stories: How families are gaining stability and wealth

If you believe in making housing accessible and equitable, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Intro
02:15 - From homelessness to housing advocate
06:30 - Addressing Australia’s housing crisis
12:45 - Innovations in affordable housing models
17:20 - Real-life stories: Families finding stability
23:45 - Affordable rent-to-buy explained
29:15 - How YOU can get involved
34:00 - Stephen’s vision for the future of Head Start Homes

About Stephen: 

Stephen Woodlands is the founder of Head Start Homes, a not-for-profit social enterprise that’s helping Australians overcome systemic barriers to homeownership. With a background in law, corporate leadership, and a deeply personal understanding of homelessness, Stephen is a social entrepreneur on a mission to make housing equality a reality.

Connect with Stephen: 

LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/headstarthomes

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/headstarthomes

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/Head-Start-Homes-213955265900309

Twitter

https://twitter.com/HeadStart_Homes

 YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnVfRh81G813OV5MH0NRHiw/featured

About Aaron:

Aaron-Christie David founded Atelier Wealth, a Mortgage & Finance Association of Australia (MFAA) approved Mortgage Broker. Aaron’s focus is clear – supporting property investors to make confident decisions to build their property portfolio. He has been recognised in the MPA Top 100 Broker rankings for the last three years.

With over 10 years of financial services experience, with a career spanning Wizard Home Loans and Commonwealth Bank, Aaron's decision to become a broker was to help more Australians fearlessly buy investment properties to achieve intergenerational wealth.

Connect with Aaron:

Visit the website: https://atelierwealth.com.au/

Follow the Australian Investment Property Podcast’s Official Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/aupropertyinvestmentpodcast/

Follow Aaron on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/aaronchristiedavid

Follow Aaron on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronchristiedavid/

Subscribe to Atelier Wealth’s YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@atelierwealth_au