BHC has received planning approval from Brisbane City Council to deliver two new social and affordable housing projects in Chermside and Stones Corner.
Combined, the developments will provide 116 apartments, with construction expected to begin early 2023.
On Brisbane’s northside, the five-storey build-to-rent development on Ethel Street in Chermside will provide a mix of 34 one and two-bedroom apartments, close to local transport and major health and retail precincts.
Designed by award-winning Brisbane architectural group Ultralinea, the project will deliver an equal mix of 17 social and 17 affordable homes to cater specifically to the needs of low-income workers and people on the social housing register, who are at risk of homelessness.
In Stones Corner in Brisbane’s inner-south, BHC will deliver a mix of 82 studio, one and two-bedroom apartments on Cleveland Street. The 10-storey building, designed by award-winning Ellivo Architects, comprises 50 social and 32 affordable homes.
Both projects are targeting a 7+star NatHERS rating, offering rainwater collection and storage for landscape irrigation, a solar array to power the communal spaces and lifts, and naturally cross ventilated apartments and communal spaces.
BHC Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Oelkers said the two developments support BHC’s strategy to increase the supply of affordable rental homes for Queenslanders.
“BHC’s vision is to create vibrant developments that provide essential workers, and Queenslanders in housing need, with safe, quality homes located close to local transport and services,” Ms Oelkers said.
“These community-centric housing options will be brought to life by thoughtful architecture, providing the peace of mind for residents that comes with the stability of long-term rental tenure.
“Our new Chermside development is within walking distance of the Prince Charles and St Vincent’s hospitals and the retail hub of Chermside Shopping Centre and will provide much needed accommodation to essential workers in these precincts.
“Similarly, our Stones Corner development is centrally located close to public transport, retail, parklands, and employment and education opportunities in the inner-city.”
BHC assists a variety of people in need with affordable and stable accommodation. This includes people eligible for social housing, with rents usually set at 25-30 per cent of household weekly income. The affordable housing component of BHC’s developments provides rental opportunities for lower-income earners at 75 per cent of the average market rent.
Earlier this year, BHC received planning approval for a development in Redcliffe, providing much needed accommodation to seniors, and the company’s new Mount Gravatt East development is under construction and on track for completion in early 2023.
This month, BHC marked its 20-year anniversary, celebrating the provision of more than 2,000 affordable and high-quality homes for Queenslanders in need. BHC has set an ambitious target to grow its portfolio by a further 2,000 homes over the next five years.
