Rebecca Oelkers is the Chief Executive Officer of BHC, one of the largest Community Housing Providers in Queensland, with over 1,700 homes developed and under management. Rebecca has over 19 years’ experience in the community and affordable housing sector. Having previously held executive roles with BHC in business development and as Chief Operations Officer, Rebecca has a deep understanding of the company and a strong vision for its strategic growth and service enhancement. Rebecca is committed to ensuring that BHC’s affordable housing provides not only safe and secure homes for tenants, but also supports tenants to achieve increased wellbeing and inclusion.
During her career, Rebecca has led several high-profile projects including the establishment of the Gold Coast Housing Company of which she was the inaugural CEO. More recently, in an Australian-first for affordable housing funding, Rebecca was responsible for the creation of Gladstone Affordable Housing, securing initial contributions of almost $20m from three Gladstone LNG proponents.
Rebecca is the Deputy Chair of the national Community Housing Industry Association, a Board member of UDIA Queensland, a former Board member of Queensland Shelter, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and recipient of the 2018 UDIA Women in Leadership Award. A passionate advocate for the sector, she has presented at national, state and local housing forums on a range of affordable housing issues.
As BHC continues to navigate its way through the COVID-19 health crisis, Rebecca will continue to lead BHC into a new era of evolution and innovation with her ambitious growth plans. As the scale of need for affordable housing continues to increase in Queensland, the BHC team are focused on achieving lasting change and delivering better outcomes for the many Australians who still do not have a safe, affordable place to call home.
Rebecca is an engaging and passionate speaker, with expert insight across a range of topics including:
- Supply of social and affordable housing in Brisbane and nationally
- Post COVID-19 economic stimulus response
- National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS)
- Build to rent and institutional investment solutions for housing
- NDIS and the provision of housing for people living with a disability
- Benefits of inclusive and accessible design
- Importance of housing in personal and community wellbeing, particularly post COVID-19
- Homelessness
- Importance of digital inclusion
- Organisational culture, strategy and performance
- Women in leadership
Previous presentation experience
Following are some recent examples of Rebecca Oelkers, BHC’s CEO, latest online presentations and opinion pieces.
External features
- ABC: Public housing shortage a ‘much bigger problem than people imagine’ but Brisbane Housing Company has big plans
- ABC: Fears Australia’s housing crisis will worsen as NRAS scheme winds down
- Brisbane Times: Affordable housing block set to open as vacancy rates hit 10-year low
- SMH: Thousands of affordable homes would boost economy
- Financial Review: Build-to-rent to solve housing affordability
- INQueensland: Our secret shame: Mothers, grandmothers living rough on Queensland’s streets
- UDIA: The social and affordable housing landscape
- Best Houses Australia featuring BHC
- ABC Radio: Introducing not for profit real estate agency, Elevate Residential
- RSM Australia: Leading BHC through COVID
- ABC: Social housing boost could power Australia’s recovery from coronavirus recession
Industry presentations
- CEDA National Livestream 2020, “Prioritising social and affordable housing”
- AHURI National Conference 2019, “Can CHPs deliver our social housing future”
Opinion pieces
- Federal budget 2021 fails to address Australia’s growing housing crisis
- The health crisis must be galvanising opportunity to change our housing system
- Jingeri exemplifies what can be achieved as calls grow for a social housing-led post COVID-19 recovery
- A city where everyone feels like belong
- Elevate Residential – changing Brisbane real estate for good
- What will happen to my child when I’m gone
- Cracking the affordable ‘Build to Rent’ nut
BHC videos
