Posts Categorized: News

BHC wins 3 awards at the 2023 AHI Brighter Future Awards

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The BHC team was pleased to attend the Australasian Housing Institute Brighter Futures awards breakfast this morning and we were thrilled to receive a number of awards during the ceremony, including:
  • Olivia Jackson, Tenancy Services Manager – Future Leader
  • Anthony Campbell, Resident Participation and Employment Coordinator (RPEC) – Inspirational Team Member
  • Coffee Connections (in partnership with YFS Substation33) – Leading Community Engagement Practice
We are incredibly proud of our winners, and the whole BHC team for the work they do every day to deliver excellence in social and affordable housing, and to support our residents and communities to thrive.

We also recognise our social purpose real estate agency, Elevate Residential for donating their profits to BHC’s Impact Fund, which makes our RPEC and Coffee Connections services possible.

Congratulations to the ahi for a fantastic event and to all the other nominees and winners- it was wonderful to join with colleagues to celebrate the passion, dedication and innovation across the Queensland community housing sector. We look forward to the national awards in October!


 

Delaying HAFF means delaying homes for vulnerable Queenslanders

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As a developer of social and affordable housing and landlord to some of Queensland’s most vulnerable people, this week’s decision to postpone the debate on the Federal Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) legislation until 16 October is unfathomable.

We are at tipping point. We need to stop talking about solutions to the housing crisis and actually start delivering them and this postponement means the land, the plans, the partnerships and the real, tangible affordable homes that were in the pipeline will now experience further significant delays. Housing peak bodies estimate that the delivery of 8,000 homes could be delayed as a result of this postponement.

Most importantly, the 640,000 Australians currently living in housing stress cannot wait any longer. They are relying on partners to come together – government, community housing organisations, the property industry, and the investment sector. We hold the keys to their future, and without us, it doesn’t look bright.

The HAFF is a floor not a ceiling. It’s the scalable platform that can get the ball rolling – we need the unilateral support from our Elected Representatives to get this legislation passed.

Project 55- Supporting older women in housing need

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BHC’s ‘profit for purpose’ real estate agency, Elevate Residential, have launched a unique initiative to sponsor access to safe and affordable housing for women over 55 facing homelessness. 

The campaign – Project 55 – aims to attract 55 new property owners to sign up with Elevate Residential over the coming 12 months, with 100 percent of the profits from property management fees they pay sponsoring older women in dire housing to achieve better housing outcomes.  

Project 55 will provide stable housing for women at BHC’s 11 unit property at Alford Street, New Farm. The units are currently undergoing refurbishment and will be ready for their new occupants in late 2023. 

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BHC wins national housing award for partnership with QIC

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BHC’s groundbreaking partnership with QIC has received national recognition, scooping PowerHousing Australia’s prestigious Business Partner Award at a ceremony in Canberra.

The partnership between BHC and QIC was established in 2021 to drive innovative solutions for the state’s housing crisis under the Queensland Government’s Housing Investment Fund, enabling the delivery of social and affordable housing at scale through institutional investment.

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BHC moves forward with two new affordable housing projects

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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.

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Statement from BHC Chief Executive Officer, Rebecca Oelkers

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BHC is acutely aware of the impact the housing crisis is having on Queenslanders. We operate at the heart of this challenge, and our sole daily purpose is to increase the supply of safe and affordable homes for Queenslanders in need.

As an independent charity, BHC has always worked hand in hand with our Ordinary Shareholders, the Queensland Government and the Brisbane City Council, and we continue to do so.

We have reached out to request a meeting with the Minister and the Lord Mayor to better understand their concerns relating to the proposed sale of our School Street complex in Kelvin Grove, which is currently rented to private market tenants.

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School Street property sale to fund new social and affordable housing

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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

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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

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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

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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