Posts Categorized: News

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.”

(more…)

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.

One of Queensland’s largest social and community housing providers, Brisbane Housing Company (BHC), has applauded the 2021 Australian Infrastructure Plan (AIP) which recognises, for the first time, the critical role of social infrastructure in Australia’s economic wellbeing.

BHC Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Chair of the Community Housing Industry of Australia (CHIA), Rebecca Oelkers, said the plan is a step change for the sector, providing clear policy guidance for industry and government to work together to address the growing shortfall of social housing.

“Through this plan, Infrastructure Australia acknowledges that social infrastructure is economic infrastructure too, and the significance of this cannot be underestimated,” Ms Oelkers said.

“As a sector, we have long championed for this recognition which will now catalyse policy and investment models and harness transformational private sector investment.

“This approach will make a significant contribution to the overall wellbeing and productivity of Australian society.”

(more…)

Last week, BHC’s Arbor Sherwood retirement village welcomed the Hon. Leeanne Enoch MP, Minister for Communities and Housing, and Jessica Pugh MP, Member for Mount Ommaney. The Minister and Member for Mount Ommaney joined residents and BHC staff for an afternoon tea to celebrate the community that has been created at the village by the foundation residents.

Completed in December 2019, Arbor Sherwood is BHC’s first retirement living development. With its innovative financial model and considered design, Arbor has become a sought-after alternative to traditional retirement villages.

“BHC’s vision for Arbor was to create a truly affordable retirement option for residents to enjoy- offering a high standard of living but also importantly, financial flexibility for residents. This vision has truly come to life at Arbor- a beautiful retirement village, well located to all the amenities residents could ask for, in the lush, tree-lined suburb of Sherwood,” BHC CEO Rebecca Oelkers said.

(more…)

We are proud to announce the BHC Impact Fund- an annual commitment of a minimum of $150,000 to directly invest in programs and supports to assist residents to achieve their life goals.

Providing safe and affordable housing is BHC’s number one priority, however, for many of their residents, accessing housing is just the beginning of their journey. The Impact Fund is BHC’s commitment to actively assist residents to reach towards their goals and to live their lives with dignity and hope.

The Impact Fund will address unmet support needs and provide BHC residents with important access to programs and services across four priority areas:

1. Tenancy sustainment and progression- initiatives to support residents experiencing mental health concerns, domestic violence and other complex issues that can lead to tenancy breakdown.
2. Employment skills and participation- providing access to training, education and volunteering opportunities for people of all ages and abilities.
3. Enhanced resident wellbeing- ensuring residents are able to access services and initiatives that promote health, wellbeing and inclusion.
4. Cohesive communities- ensuring residents feel positive about their communities and are connected to relevant facilities and activities.

(more…)

After more than a year, BHC and the Resident Community Development (RCD) Team were thrilled to hold their first resident event; celebrating our Community Welcome Packs. It was great to see residents across the portfolio come together, provide feedback and reconnect with everyone!

The RCD Team was formed in 2018 to provide a space where residents can come together to develop community initiatives and projects, work on these initiatives together, provide honest feedback and input on matters which affect residents and to support one another. The initiatives and projects developed are aimed to benefit residents, develop and strengthen the communities across BHC properties and support meaningful engagement between residents, BHC, and members of the wider community. The RCD Team is supported by BHC’s Community Development Manager, Kaitlyn.

(more…)

On May 6, we opened the doors to our latest project in Woolloongabba, providing much-needed homes for those in need. We were privileged to have the Minister for Communities and Housing, the Honourable Leeanne Enoch MP in attendance to officially open the $10.7 million, 32-unit complex.

BHC CEO Rebecca Oelkers said the Cornwall Street development has made an important contribution to increasing the supply of affordable housing in Brisbane’s inner city.

“BHC developed and partially funded the Cornwall Street building to provide a roof over the head of some of the state’s most vulnerable, alongside essential workers, actively supporting Brisbane’s health, education and transport industries. (more…)

BHC’s development at Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba provides 32 much-needed affordable homes for those in housing need. Completed in February 2021, the development contains 32 units, with five homes specifically designed and allocated for young people and their families.

BHC is working with Brisbane Youth Service (BYS) to support the young peoples’ transition to safe and stable housing. Residents in these five homes will benefit from BYS’s wrap-around support services, including assistance to help them to engage in education, training and employment, with the ultimate aim to move forward these young people into long-term sustainable housing options.

“Working together with our partner’s BYS we will be able to provide vulnerable young people with secure housing and a path towards an independent and positive future,” said BHC CEO, Rebecca Oelkers.

(more…)

We are proud to announce that BHC and BYS will partner to provide much-needed homes for young people at risk of homelessness at a property under construction in Woolloongabba.

This development will see the provision of 32 new affordable homes with five specifically designed for young people including one for a young family.

BHC CEO Rebecca Oelkers said residents would be able to access safe, secure, affordable housing and BYS support services that help them into education, training and jobs with the aim of moving into long term homes.

(more…)

We are proud to announce that BHC’s Benson Place has received the state award in the affordable development category at the UDIA Queensland 2020 Mitchell Brandtman Awards for Excellence.

The development was designed by leading Brisbane firm Ultralinea Architecture, comprises of 35 one-bedroom modern apartments, each with a separate multi-purpose room.

BHC CEO Rebecca Oelkers said the development was uniquely created for senior public housing residents in the Logan area who were looking to downsize into more suitable accommodation.

“Before living at Benson Place, these residents were living in large, detached public housing properties that were too big for their current household requirements, with poor accessibility, and difficult maintenance requirements,” Ms Oelkers said.

(more…)