Dear BHC friends and partners 

It is with great sadness that we share the news that our long-term colleague and friend, Greg Coghlan, recently passed away and was farewelled by his family and friends at a special celebration of his life – All Together, by Greg. 

Greg made a profound and lasting impact on BHC and the broader community housing sector. Joining BHC in 2004 as our sole construction employee, Greg went on to serve as BHC’s lead construction manager, dedicating more than 21 years to our mission. 

During his tenure, Greg played a pivotal role in delivering approximately 2,000 homes for low-income households across Queensland – an extraordinary achievement that has transformed lives and communities. His leadership shaped more than 50 projects, including sector-first and award-winning developments such as the transformation of the Richlands TAFE site, Spectrum Apartments in Lutwyche, the mixed-use Kelvin Grove Urban Village precinct and BHC’s first affordable Retirement Village – Arbor Sherwood, which set new benchmarks for integrated retirement living. 

Greg’s contribution extended beyond projects. He was a generous mentor, helping to establish and lead BHC’s Design Team. His technical expertise was matched by a deep sense of social justice – a belief in fairness, equity, and the fundamental right for every person to have a safe place to call home. 

In 2023, Greg’s outstanding service was recognised nationally when he received the PowerHousing Outstanding Achievement Award, a testament to his remarkable legacy in the sector. 

Greg was deeply respected for his kindness, humility and unwavering commitment to quality. His warmth and thoughtful manner built strong relationships across BHC and with our partners.  

His commitment to social justice extended well beyond his work with BHC; he generously devoted his time and expertise to numerous charities and committees, leaving an indelible impact that we know these organisations will deeply miss. 

Greg’s influence on the community will endure for generations. Thousands of Queenslanders have a home today because of his work, and his legacy will continue to inspire us as we strive to create homes, empower lives and enable transformation. 

On behalf of all at BHC, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Greg’s family and friends. We are proud to have worked alongside him and will remember him with gratitude and respect. 

Vale Greg Coghlan. 

____ 

Rebecca Oelkers
Chief Executive Officer, BHC 

Elevate Residential, BHC’s ‘profit for purpose’ real estate agency, has reached a major milestone, delivering a total of over $1 million in direct financial support to BHC to help tackle Queensland’s housing crisis – with a contribution of almost $400k in the 24-25 financial year.   

This significant contribution has directly supported BHC’s mission to provide safe, affordable housing and build resilient communities across south-east Queensland. The funds have enabled BHC to assist more than 400 residents annually through its Impact Fund, which provides grants, initiatives and programs that support employment and training opportunities, physical and mental health assistance and social inclusion, as well as supporting the organisation to deliver social and affordable housing.  

Elevate Residential passes on 100% of its profits from property sales commissions and management fees to BHC.

The Elevate Residential Team

Elevate Residential Principal Licensee Chris Meadmore said the agency is proud to be part of a movement that delivers tangible outcomes for people in need. 

“Our work is about more than real estate – it’s about creating opportunities and supporting the people who call these communities home,” Mr Meadmore said. 

“Reaching the $1 million milestone is a testament to the power of purpose-driven business.” 

BHC Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Oelkers said the partnership with Elevate Residential is a powerful example of how innovative business models can drive social change. 

“While BHC provides safe, secure housing for Queenslanders facing housing insecurity, Elevate provides the means for them to thrive.  

“We know people need more than just a roof over their heads – they may need support to access employment or training, financial assistance to continue with their studies, and help with physical and mental health, as well as opportunities for social inclusion. And this is where Elevate comes in,” Ms Oelkers remarked.  

“This milestone reflects the real impact of our shared commitment to empowering Queenslanders through secure, affordable housing.” 

Mr Meadmore added that reaching $1 million in contributions to BHC is more than a financial milestone.  

“It’s a powerful reflection of what’s possible when real estate is driven by purpose. Every dollar represents a step toward dignity, opportunity, and hope for Queenslanders doing it tough.  

“I’m incredibly proud to be part of a team that proves property can be a force for good.” 

The agency has been recognised as a finalist for the past three years in the REIQ Awards for Excellence for their Contribution to the Community. 

The Chermside Housing Pilot Project aims to deliver three, three-bedroom affordable townhomes designed specifically for single parent families. It was made possible by the $1 million donation of a 637m2 block of low-to-medium (LMR) density residential land at Chermside by the Brisbane City Council, and BHC is now calling for donors to realise their vision.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the council gifted the land to BHC in late 2024 and was pleased to see it would be used for a clever housing solution.

“Brisbane is growing quickly and we’re doing everything we can to deliver more housing, sooner,” he said. “We’re proud to be helping more people have access to safe, affordable homes through our joint ownership of BHC.

“We’re proud to donate this land to BHC for a pilot project that will truly change lives – giving Brisbane families not just a place to live, but a place to call home.”

BHC Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Oelkers said the Chermside Housing Pilot Project was the organisation’s first philanthropic endeavour.

“We are so grateful to Brisbane City Council which has funded one third of the project costs, and we’re calling on those individuals or organisations with the capacity for large philanthropic donations to help us reach our goal of $2 million to bring it to life,” she said.

“Arkhefield, Saunders Havill Group, Colliers and Tango have offered their in-kind services to help us deliver the project, beginning with the lodgement of a Development Application.”

BHC’s Greta Egerton, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, Councillor Danita Parry

BHC is actively delivering a multi-million-dollar portfolio of affordable housing projects in south-east Queensland, and through the BHC Impact fund, funded by the profits from its profit for purpose real estate agency, Elevate Residential, provides ongoing support for its residents.

Ms Oelkers said they had thought carefully about a new approach to delivering affordable yet diverse housing options with the gifted land.

“We receive many calls from single parent families who not only need a place to call home but the space to truly thrive,” she said.

“Traditional community housing tends to comprise one or two-bedrooms per residence, but these well located three-bedroom townhomes will create opportunities for families to reach financial stability and bridge the gap for those struggling to get into the property market.

“This kind of gentle density housing is just another way we can deliver affordable options to our communities with innovative architectural design.

“Starting as three homes, this could become a much larger opportunity for us to continue to deliver more of this crucial housing in Brisbane, and beyond.”

The find out more about the Chermside Housing Pilot Project, visit here.

Architectural impression developed by Arkhefield

As many Queenslanders struggle with housing instability and escalating living costs, BHC is proud to have delivered support to over 400 of its residents from BHC’s Impact Fund, outlined in the organisation’s 2023/24 Impact Report.

The Impact Fund provided crucial support to 421 residents over the last financial year to assist them to sustain their tenancies, improve their health wellbeing, enhance employment skills and foster cohesive communities.

Each year, BHC commits a minimum of $150,000 to the Impact Fund, fuelled by the profits from its ‘profit for purpose’ real estate agency, Elevate Residential.

The real estate agency generates revenue from property sales commissions and property management fees, with 100% of profits being donated to BHC.

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We are excited to announce our team responsible for spearheading the increase in affordable community housing supply across South-East Queensland – the BHC Development Team – has been recognised as ‘Team of the Year’ by the Property Council of Australia’s Queensland branch.

Led by Projects Director Greta Egerton, the team was celebrated at the 2024 inaugural People in Property awards in Brisbane, which recognised their efforts in creating the largest pipeline of work in BHC’s history.

This team has been instrumental in developing more than 1,800 homes for low-income residents over the last 20 years.  Their hard work continues as our development pipeline scales up this year, with 290 homes currently under construction across four projects.

This dedicated team of 12 was also integral to the establishment of BHC’s groundbreaking institutional investment model in partnership with Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) to deliver a successful bid for the Queensland Government’s Housing Investment Fund, which will deliver 1,200 new social and affordable homes across SEQ.  This is the most ambitious pipeline delivered by a Community Housing Provider in Queensland’s history and we are proud they have been recognised by the industry.

BHC’s Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Oelkers said the team had an unwavering commitment to creating much needed housing stock for vulnerable Queenslanders.

“Some members of the team have served the sector for more than 15 years, seeing first-hand the benefits that safe and secure housing can have on generations of families and communities.

“They are at the heart of the sector’s continuous push for viable housing solutions that can be developed affordably and sustainably to meet the ever-increasing demand from households that are pushed out of the private rental market.”