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Meet Stephen Woodlands and Jo Formosa

13 January 2026

Can you each share a little about your own journey into this work – what led you to start (Stephen) or join (Jo) Head Start Homes? 

Stephen: My journey began with lived experience, growing up in crisis accommodation followed by social housing, I saw firsthand how the system locked people like my single mum out of home ownership. Head Start Homes was born out of a desire to disrupt traditional systems and create fair, practical pathways to homeownership, putting people before property. Today, our movement is reshaping how housing and home ownership is accessed, understood, and supported across Australia. 

Jo: I joined Head Start Homes because I saw a rare opportunity to work with a visionary organisation that genuinely puts clients first. My background in government, particularly in public and social housing, combined with a passion for empowerment, social justice, and equity, made this a natural fit. The chance to work alongside Stephen and help scale our impact nationally was simply too meaningful to pass up. 

When you think about the original vision for HSH, what problem were you trying to solve, and how has that shaped your model? 

Our vision is simple yet bold: a safe and stable home for everyone, with fair and practical pathways to home ownership. This vision is based on compassion, fairness and commitment to ending homelessness and poverty. We tackle three barriers to home ownership: the lack of a deposit, the limited supply of affordable homes, and the “know-how” gap that leaves many families unsure how to navigate the path to ownership. Our model is built around removing these barriers through, shared-value partnerships, Empowerment Services which addresses the know how barrier, our Head Start Guarantee, which replaces the need for a deposit, and our Affordable Rent to Buy program, which will help to address the supply barrier. We keep our clients at the centre of everything we do, we never charge clients—ever—and that principle has guided every decision we’ve made. 

Head Start Homes now works with families across Australia. What has been most significant about the growth of your work nationally? 

At Head Start Homes, our guiding principle is “start small, start smart, start somewhere, and scale.” This philosophy underscores our dedication to innovation, inclusivity, and impact by prioritising people and employing evidence-based methods. Beginning on the mid North Coast of NSW, we have grown to include initiatives like the Wollongong Affordable Home Ownership Program and the Canberra-based Our Place initiative, supported by the Snow Foundation. Central to our approach is ensuring that we can walk alongside First Nations Peoples and learn from their deep knowledge, being the longest continuing civilisation on the planet. 

Our expansion across Australia reflects our unwavering commitment to making home ownership accessible to all. We’ve experienced a significant increase in demand from groups traditionally excluded from home ownership, such as First Nations families, single parents, social housing tenants and refugees. This national growth now enables us to assist hundreds of families in transitioning from renting to owning their homes in a secure, safe and supported manner. 

Your model tackles the three big barriers to home ownership – “know-how”, deposit, and supply. Which of these has been hardest to shift, and how are you approaching it? 

From a human perspective:
The “know-how” barrier is the hardest to shift. For many, the process of buying a home is complex and intimidating. Understanding how to budget, save, navigate credit systems, and engage with the property market requires access to information and support that is often unavailable to those who need it most. We address this through tailored financial capability support, property coaching, and savings plans. At the same time, we work closely with banks and housing providers to ensure clients are supported every step of the way. This is the most rewarding part because it’s about changing beliefs, building confidence, and empowering people—putting people before property. 

From a purely economic point of view:
The supply barrier is often deemed the most difficult and is today spoken about the most in policy and media circles. There simply aren’t enough affordable homes available to meet demand, and this scarcity is widely discussed as the central issue. However, this focus on supply alone is part of the problem—it puts property before people. True change requires us to address both the human and economic barriers, always keeping people at the centre of our solutions. 

We’ve seen powerful journeys of clients becoming home owners. What do these individual stories say about the bigger change you’re driving? 

 Each story is proof of what’s possible when systems are redesigned to serve people. From Chontell’s journey-our first client who continues to inspire others-to Braydon’s story, a First Nations man who purchased at the age of 24, and Kamini’s transformation from housing insecurity to becoming a TAFE teacher, studying law and performing at the Sydney Opera House, these stories show that home ownership isn’t just about property. It’s about dignity, stability, and generational change. When a client moves into their own home, they vacate a rental property-often social or affordable housing-which can then be offered to another household in need. This creates a double benefit: one household builds intergenerational wealth and stability, while another gains access to safe and secure housing that was previously unavailable. In a country where social housing waitlists are long and housing stress is widespread, every newly vacated social housing home is a lifeline. 

Head Start Homes has now expanded into Canberra. How has the program been received locally, and what stands out from the early experience? 

The reception has been overwhelmingly positive. Our collaboration with the Snow Foundation and local partners, including CHC and The Farm at Galong, has helped us build trust quickly. What stands out most is the appetite for innovation and meaningful change. Canberra stakeholders are eager to support their clients and tenants into a home ownership pathway. We’re already seeing strong engagement from families and community organisations, and we’re excited to deepen our impact. In just over 12 months we have supported two families into home ownership with another household about to get the keys to their new home.  

What do you hear most from the families you work with – whether it’s the biggest barrier they face, or what the service has meant for them? 

Families often tell us they never thought home ownership was for “people like them.” The biggest barrier is know-how, followed closely by deposit and supply. Our service gives them hope, clarity, a belief in themselves and a pathway forward. Many say it’s the first time they’ve felt truly seen and supported. That feedback fuels us to keep improving and expanding our reach. 

What’s your vision for the future of Head Start Homes – both nationally and in Canberra? 

The vision for Head Start Homes is to ensure a safe and stable home for everyone, with fair and practical pathways to home ownership. Nationally, the organisation is committed to expanding its impact by scaling its innovative, inclusive, and evidence-based approach—always putting people before property. The aim is to continue breaking down barriers to home ownership for groups traditionally excluded, such as First Nations families, single parents, social housing tenants, and refugees. In Canberra, the early experience has been marked by strong local partnerships and a positive reception, with families and community organisations engaging enthusiastically. The future focus is on deepening this impact, supporting more families into home ownership, and fostering meaningful change through collaboration with local stakeholders. 

For people reading this – how can families access your services, and how can others support or connect with Head Start Homes? 

  • Families can access our services by meeting our eligibility criteria, which are based on income, age, location, and individual circumstances. To learn more, please visit our https://www.headstarthomes.org.au/eligibility 
  • Once you understand the requirements, you can express your interest by filling out our express-your-interest form which should only take a couple of minutes.  
  • You can also contact our Home Ownership Success team by sending an email to  

contact@headstarthomes.org.au or by clicking here:  www.headstarthomes.org.au/contact 

Our Empowerment Services are designed to be accessible and supportive, guiding families through every step of the journey to home ownership-without ever charging clients. 

Supporting or Connecting with Head Start Homes: 

For those wishing to support or connect with Head Start Homes, there are several ways to get involved: 

  • Partner with Us: Organisations and individuals can collaborate with Head Start Homes to expand our reach and impact, while also advancing their own social and sustainability objectives. Interested in partnering? www.headstarthomes.org.au/contact 
  • Advocate: Help raise awareness about the barriers to home ownership and champion the need for systemic change. Your voice can make a real difference.  
  • Referrals: Community members and service providers can refer families and individuals who may benefit from our Empowerment Products and Services.