Posts Categorized: News

School Street property sale to fund new social and affordable housing

Proceeds from the future sale of a BHC-owned market-rental apartment building in Kelvin Grove will enable the creation of new social and affordable housing in south-east Queensland.

BHC Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Oelkers, said the independent charity is the long-term owner of the residential apartment building at 31 School Street, Kelvin Grove, which comprises a mix of 27 one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

“The proceeds from the sale of School Street, targeted for March 2023, will provide new, purpose-built accommodation in the form of 32 new units in Mount Gravatt, ready for occupation at that time.

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BHC Releases Impact Fund Report 2021/22

BHC is pleased to launch our inaugural Impact Fund Report 2021/22 which highlights the results and outcomes achieved alongside residents from the first year of BHC’s Impact Fund investment. The Impact Fund is an annual commitment of a minimum of $150,000 to directly invest in programs and supports to assist BHC residents to achieve their life goals.

BHC CEO Rebecca Oelkers said, “Providing safe and affordable housing continues to be BHC’s number one priority, however we acknowledge that for many of our residents, accessing housing is just the beginning of their journey.

“To empower people and help them to transform their lives, some residents may also need support and opportunities to participate in employment, training, social and community activities. This is the purpose of the Impact Fund, it is BHC’s commitment to actively assist residents to reach towards their goals and to live their lives with dignity and hope.

“It is with great pride that we present this Impact Fund Report and we are grateful to our residents who have shared their experiences of the impact of the Fund.”

The Impact Fund is made possible through the financial support of BHC’s social purpose real estate agency, Elevate Residential, which directs 100% of its profits to the Fund. We thank all property owners and vendors for your choice to use Elevate for your property needs- your support is directly contributing to real change for Queenslanders in need.

Institutional investor to provide financing for up to 1,200 new social & affordable homes

One of Australia’s largest superannuation funds, Australian Retirement Trust has announced it will invest up to $150 million as part of the QIC-BHC Consortium’s recently announced program to deliver up to 1,200 new social and affordable homes in Queensland.

Rebecca Oelkers, Chief Executive Officer of BHC, who will develop, own and manage the new homes, said, “This program is an exemplar of how state governments and institutional investors can work together with the community housing sector to raise capital and deliver social and affordable housing at scale.”

“It will change the lives of countless Queenslanders who are in dire housing need,” Ms Oelkers said.

With support from the Queensland Government’s Housing Investment Fund, the QIC-BHC partnership will deliver seven projects in the initial stage, representing nearly 600 dwellings.

The first two projects to commence will be located in Sutton Street, Redcliffe and Ethel Street, Chermside, with residents able to move in during 2024. The remaining South East Queensland sites will be announced once they are secured. Construction is set to commence on all projects by 2025.

Read the Australian Retirement Trust release.

Partnership to deliver 1,200 new critical social and affordable homes

BHC is proud to announce its partnership with Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) and the Queensland Government to deliver up to 1,200 new social and affordable homes across South-East Queensland.

BHC Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Oelkers, said this partnership would deliver lasting, positive change for those in housing need.

“This innovative partnership and new delivery model is sustainable, scalable and most importantly, will provide real housing options for Queenslanders struggling to find a stable, long term home,” Ms Oelkers said.

“We are incredibly proud to be delivering this first stage of seven projects under the Queensland Government’s Housing Investment Fund, which will provide almost 600 new social and affordable homes.

“We look forward to working collaboratively with the State and QIC to progress this important part of the solution for Queenslanders in housing need.”

The first two projects under this partnership were announced recently and are located at Ethel Street, Chermside and Sutton Street, Redcliffe.

Construction of the first seven projects will commence progressively from 2023 to 2025.

Read the Queensland Government’s statement

First projects announced under the Queensland Government’s $1b Housing Investment Fund

BHC were pleased to join the Queensland Government recently to celebrate the first two successful projects to be funded under the State’s $1 billion Housing Investment Fund. The announcement was made in early May 2022 by the Hon. Cameron Dick, Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment, and supported by the Hon. Leeanne Enoch, Minster for Communities and Housing and the Hon. Yvette D’Ath, Minister for Health and Member for Redcliffe.

With a combined construction value of $50 million, these projects will deliver 118 new social and affordable homes for Queenslanders in housing need. This includes 84 homes at Redcliffe designed for seniors who are struggling to make ends meet and downsizers whose current public housing property no longer meets their needs, as well as a mixed tenure community of 34 social and affordable homes in Chermside designed for essential workers and households who are eligible for assistance through the Queensland Housing Register.

BHC Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Oelkers said the state government’s support for these projects was crucial to bringing them to life.

“These new social and affordable homes will help to provide stability and hope for Queenslanders in housing need. BHC recognises the important investment made by the state government under the Housing Investment Fund and we’re proud of our partnership on these two developments, ” Ms Oelkers said.

Construction on the Chermside development is due to commence later this year, with the Redcliffe development due to be underway mid 2023.

Read the Queensland Government’s joint statement.

BHC Update – Thursday 3 March 2022

With the rain subsiding and public transport returning, the BHC office has re-opened today, Thursday 3 March 2022, to residents by appointment. Please contact your Housing Manager or BHC directly on 3307 3000 or email reception@bhcl.com.au should you wish to visit the office.

We recognise that this is a stressful time for some residents, and as always, should you need any additional support or assistance, please do reach out to your Housing Manager directly, or our ResidentConnect Team, using the following details:

Message for all BHC Residents – Brisbane Flooding and Storms

Please be assured the BHC Team is here to assist any residents affected by the flooding and storms over the weekend.

Our Head Office will remain closed for the rest of the week whilst the flood effects continue, however the team is working remotely and can be contacted on the following details:

Stay safe and please contact our team if there is anything we can assist you with.

BHC Team

Sector calls for a stronger commitment from government to unlock institutional investment in social and affordable housing

With the announcement on 16 December 2021 of the $500 million increase to the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation’s (NHFIC) liability cap, leading Queensland community housing provider BHC is calling on the Federal Government to do more to give certainty to institutional investors, and hope for Australian families in housing need.

BHC CEO Rebecca Oelkers said “Whilst we welcome the Federal Government’s extension of the NHFIC liability cap by $500 million, sadly it falls well short of the increase that the sector, its investment partners and Australians in need were hoping for.

“Australia is in the midst of a housing crisis- we have thousands of families in housing stress in the private market and many thousands more on social housing waiting lists. Providers like BHC are ready to step up and partner with Government and investors to grow the supply of affordable housing in an effort to turn the tide. NHFIC’s ability to give stakeholders certainty of long-term, low-cost finance at scale has been critical in boosting social and affordable housing outcomes across Australia.”

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‘Arbor’ crowned UDIA Queensland’s best senior living development

We are extremely proud to announce that our retirement living complex, Arbor has received the state award in the ‘Senior Living’ category at the UDIA Queensland 2021 Awards for Excellence.

Arbor’s innovative, flexible financial model has attracted strong interest among retirees and downsizers, offering a high quality retirement living option that is centred on dignity, fairness and individual lifestyle.

BHC CEO Rebecca Oelkers said that for many ageing Australians, a traditional retirement village is out of reach for their financial situation.

“Arbor Sherwood has brought a unique, affordable model to the market, specifically for retirement living,” Ms Oelkers said.

“The three contract options provided at Arbor allow residents to select their preferred apartment and then choose the financial model that suits them best.

“The model provides peace of mind for our older Australians – and their families – at what can sometimes be a complex and difficult time in their lives, and allows them to enjoy the life they love, easily and independently.”

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BHC EXPANDS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TEAM

BHC are proud to have expanded their community development capacity with two new dynamic team members.

Megan Bonetti, an experienced social worker will lead the Community Development team and has extensive expertise in developing and leading community programs for a range of not for profits. She has a passion for collaboration across community and systems to empower individuals and communities to thrive.

Also joining the team is Anthony Campbell, BHC’s dedicated participation and employment resource who will work with residents to assist them in reaching their volunteering, employment and participation goals. Anthony has a background in working within the employment space and has specialist skills in disability employment, mental health and youth work.

Megan and Anthony join with current community development team member, Kaitlyn Russell to assist in the delivery of the objectives under BHC’s new Strategic Plan 2021-2025 which includes a key focus on supporting BHC residents and their communities. Our new dedicated, resident-focused community development team will also assist in the implementation of programs and initiatives supported through BHC’s Impact Fund.

Find out more about BHC’s Strategic Plan and further details about BHC’s Impact Fund.