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.

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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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 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.”

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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.

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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.

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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.

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