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At MyLife Community Housing, we believe that everyone deserves a premium, secure and affordable place to call home. Our mission is to create inclusive communities by delivering well-managed rental homes in great locations - places where people feel connected, respected, and supported.

  • The idea for MyLife Community Housing grew naturally from our work in disability housing through MyLife Housing. While providing Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), we quickly saw the broader housing challenges faced by many in the community: people with disability who don't qualify for SDA, Aboriginal Australians, single parents, key workers like NDIS support staff, and others on low-to-moderate incomes who struggle to find stable, affordable housing.

    By establishing a separate not-for-profit organisation, we expanded our capacity to respond to these needs.

    Our aim—to increase access to affordable, quality rental housing—is one of the key ways we deliver on the core purpose set out in our constitution:
    To advance social and public welfare by providing benevolent relief to Aboriginal and other persons in Australia suffering from poverty, destitution, distress, or helplessness.

    This includes people who are:

    • Currently homeless or at risk of homelessness;

    • Living in unsafe or inadequate housing (such as overcrowded conditions); or

    • Experiencing financial hardship that limits access to the private rental market.

    As a registered Community Housing Provider under the National Regulatory System for Community Housing (NRSCH), and a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC), we’re committed to helping people build better futures—through homes that are not just affordable, but also dignified and well-managed.

Karen Abdallah

Karen is CEO of MyLife Community Housing, bringing with her over 20 years of experience in marketing, where she led brand strategy, CRM, and communications initiatives across global markets. In 2019, following a life-changing health event, Karen shifted her focus toward purpose-driven work, seeking to create meaningful impact in the lives of others.

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR

  • In 2019, following a life-changing health event, Karen shifted her focus toward purpose-driven work, seeking to create meaningful impact in the lives of others. This led her to the disability housing sector, where she combined her passion for inclusive design with her strong industry networks to drive positive change.

    Karen is also the Founder and CEO of MyLife Housing Pty Ltd, a registered Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) provider established in 2020, dedicated to delivering accessible, thoughtfully designed homes. Her deep commitment to housing solutions that foster dignity, inclusion, and long-term community connection inspired her to co-found MyLife Community Housing, expanding her vision to meet the broader needs of the community housing sector.

    Karen holds a Bachelor of Business in Marketing & Finance and also serves as a Director of MyLife Housing Pty Ltd and Backbone Management Pty Ltd.

Damien Abdallah

Damien is Chair of MyLife Community Housing. A seasoned operations and finance executive, he brings over 25 years of experience across a range of industries, including telecommunications, technology, funds management, property, and more recently, the disability sector. Damien is known for his sharp commercial acumen and passion for leveraging innovation to strengthen governance, enhance systems, and drive lasting social impact.

FOUNDER & CHAIR

  • As a cofounder of MyLife Community Housing, he provides strategic leadership and financial insight to help advance the organisation’s mission of fostering independence, connection, and wellbeing through inclusive housing solutions.

    Damien is also the Managing Director of Backbone Management, an advisory firm. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing & Accounting, is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA), and serves as a Director of Backbone Management Pty Ltd, Habitat SDA Pty Ltd, and Santa Sabina College.

Lindsay Kelly

Lindsay is a NFP professional across Community Housing (CHP) and Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA). He is a governance expert with special skills in risk management, compliance, strategic planning, and financial management. He has been a thought leader throughout the transition of community housing from a cottage industry to the highly professional sector delivering tens of thousands of affordable homes. 

DIRECTOR

  • As one of the first to embark on the development of SDA, the participant focused mindset led to the creation of $75 million of new SDA for more than 180 residents. He also leverages off an extensive executive career in globally recognised brands.   

    Lindsay brings extensive, hands-on expertise across all facets of housing delivery, including land acquisition, financial feasibility, property design, construction, tenant sourcing and ongoing management. His strength lies in providing practical, end-to-end solutions that balance commercial viability with meaningful social impact.

    As a Director of MyLife Community Housing, Lindsay helps guide the organisation’s strategic direction and project delivery, ensuring a strong focus on creating inclusive, affordable homes for those who need them most. He draws on a long-standing legacy of leadership in community housing and development, underpinned by a deep commitment to housing as a foundation for dignity, stability, and opportunity.

Our Vision

“To advance social and public welfare by providing benevolent relief to Aboriginal and other persons in Australia suffering from poverty, destitution, distress, or helplessness.”