Housing and support services are about to be significantly enhanced, with a new approach to tackling the cycle of homelessness to be implemented for some of Brisbane’s most vulnerable community housing residents.

Brisbane City Council’s Pathways out of Homelessness Grant Program will provide close to $3 million over three years to enable new, innovative and sustainable solutions to address the growing community issue of homelessness in Brisbane.

A consortium comprised of respected support organisation, Communify Queensland, and community housing providers Bric Housing and BHC Creating Liveable Communities, was successful with their grant application for Sustaining at Risk Tenancies, a new program designed to deliver a coordinated approach to establishing and delivering support services to some of the providers’ most vulnerable tenants.

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International ratings agency, Standard and Poors (S&P), has reaffirmed BHC’s AA- rating for the 3^rd consecutive time since the initial rating in 2016. The high rating is a reflection of BHC’s financial position, experienced management, strong relationship with the Government and a robust demand for its quality affordable housing assets.

As Australia’s only community housing provider with a credit rating, the AA- rating from S&P provides BHC with options to diversify funding sources in order to continue to grow the supply of affordable housing.

BHC is pleased to announce the appointment of two new senior team members: Jamie Muchall as Chief Operations Officer and Greta Egerton as Projects Director.

With over 15 years’ experience in the affordable housing and property development sectors, Jamie is interested in collaborative housing policy solutions, creation of new programs and research for non-profit and residential property applications. Greta is an experienced development professional with 20 years’ experience in business development, town planning, urban design and property development and will be an asset to BHC’s development team.

Please join us in welcoming Jamie and Greta to the team. To read more information about our new senior team members, visit here.

Congratulations to Joe Hurley, BHC’s Manager Development and Partnerships, for winning the ‘Outstanding Achievement’ award at at the PowerHousing Australia National Awards! Joe was recognised for his significant contribution to BHC’s growth, notably BHC’s $28m funding deal under the Queensland Government ‘Partnering for Growth’ initiative, which will provide 682 affordable homes over the next 5 years.

We were also honoured to be highly commended for Jingeri, Enoggera. This development proudly provides homes for those living with a disability; developed in partnership with the Queensland Government’s under the Elderly Parent Carer Innovative Initiative (EPCII).

Finally we couldn’t be more proud of the work our Rising Star nominee and Housing Manager, Chantel, has contributed across the organisation. We can’t wait to see what you’ll achieve within BHC and the sector in the future!

We are thrilled to announce that BHC’s Jingeri has been awarded the prestigious UDIA Qld Mitchell Brandtman Awards for Excellence in the Affordable Housing category today.

Jingeri is a development that seeks to address a gap in the housing market for people living with a disability. With its carefully detailed design, aesthetically contrasting use of materials and quality finishings, Jingeri challenges the idea of what accessible housing can look like.

This award is a testament to the collaboration between BHC and KO & Co Architecture and we thank all our partners who helped us deliver this striking development.

Congratulations to the other entrants for their incredible submissions and for all the work you do in improving the lives of Queensland’s most vulnerable through the delivery of quality affordable housing.

Meet two of the residents who call this building their home

Last week, we were thrilled to officially celebrate the first birthday of our not-for-profit real estate agency, Elevate Residential at the Brisbane Powerhouse.

Elevate Residential is a real estate agency with a genuine community purpose, a game changer in the real estate market. Elevate operates like any other agency with one difference – 100 per cent of profits will be directed back into its charitable partner Brisbane Housing Company (BHC) helping those with housing needs.

BHC CEO Rebecca Oelkers said Elevate would play a key role in helping BHC realise its vision of increasing affordable housing supply in Brisbane and creating better outcomes for tenants.

“Housing supply continues to be an issue across Australia and it is completely unacceptable that we have so many people with complex housing needs homeless or living in unsatisfactory accommodation,” she said.

“BHC wants to continue to do more to address these housing needs but to do this we need to be entrepreneurial in our approach to funding and service delivery.”

Ms Oelkers said Elevate Residential was a licensed, professional real estate agency that was already achieving strong results for landlords and sellers.

“All funds generated by Elevate will help create an investment pipeline for us to be able to deliver a range of services and programs to assist our tenants achieve their potential across all aspects of their lives,” she said.

“These programs respond directly to the needs of our residents, ranging from bursaries for our school children, to services for women and children who have experienced domestic violence and participation opportunities for tenants with disabilities.

“This is the part we are very passionate about, not just providing our tenants with a home but truly helping them make a difference to their lives.”

Read full media statement here

BHC is pleased to announce the appointment of Rebecca Oelkers as Chief Executive Officer.

Rebecca has worked with BHC for more than ten years in critical leadership roles, driving significant strategic growth and operational initiatives. Her contributions during that time have been integral to BHC’s position as a leading community housing provider.

Rebecca is committed to enhancing BHC’s role as a leader and innovator in the affordable housing sector, building BHC’s profile and expanding our capacity to do more for the many people who need affordable homes.

Please join us us in congratulating Rebecca on her appointment as CEO.

Read full media statement here

The doors have now opened on our innovative $10.5 million affordable housing project in Springwood that has been designed specifically for seniors downsizing from public housing properties in the Logan area.

Minister for Housing and Public Works and Member for Springwood Mick de Brenni officially opened Benson Place on Saturday, a 35-unit complex located on Thornhill Street. Benson Place is named after Colleen Benson in recognition of her contribution to the Springwood community and the Logan East Community Centre over the past 27 years.

On March 19 the doors we officially opened at our 10-unit complex at Glenalva Tce, Enoggera with Member for Ferny Grove, Hon. Mark Furner.

The development is part of the Queensland Government’s Elderly Parent Carer Innovation Initiative, a program developed to address the shortfall in appropriate accommodation for people living with a disability who reside with elderly parents.

BHC Creating Liveable Communities CEO Stuart Lummis said it was inevitable that parent-carers would reach an age where alternative, independent living solutions were needed for their adult children.

“This development has provided huge relief for these families,” Mr Lummis said.

“The complex contains purpose-built accommodation and necessary support services for adults living with a disability, all in proximity to tenants’ parents,” Mr Lummis said.

“Moving into independent living for the first time can be challenging and, by incorporating elements such as a common room and barbeque area, the Enoggera development provides residents with opportunities to interact and form important social and support networks.”

Rosemary Jackson – whose son Joe was one of the development’s first tenants – said living independently had turned his life around.

“I was very worried about Joe for a long time,” Mrs Jackson said.

“As he grew older and the reality of missing out on the life he wanted hit home, he withdrew and was diagnosed with depression.

“Now his self-esteem has improved greatly and he’s looking after himself like never before. I sleep better at night because I know he is safe here.”

Located adjacent to the Enoggera bus and rail interchange, the affordable housing complex features lift service and secure swipe card access, as well as enhanced entry and access points in accordance with Australian Gold Standard Livable Housing Design Guidelines.