BHC ‘mixed tenure’ affordable property model thrives

 

BHC, formerly known as Brisbane Housing Company, is accelerating its innovative development program which focuses on meeting the needs of low to middle income earners who require inner city housing.

BHC is continuing to put runs on the board in dealing with Australia’s affordable housing challenges through what CEO David Cant said is a 'mixed tenure' model.

“At BHC, our core focus is on this group of low to middle income earners who need inner city housing close to their employment, but are unable to pay the requisite high rents,” Mr Cant said.

“We believe the most sustainable means of meeting Australia’s affordable housing demand is through a mixed tenure model.

“Mixed tenure incorporates three components of housing within each development: affordable rental housing owned and managed by BHC; key worker housing that is part of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS); properties sold to owner-occupiers and investors,” he said.

Mr Cant said BHC’s record – already having provided more than 1500 homes in the Brisbane region – showed that through mixed tenure, affordable housing can be synonymous with high-quality, architecturally designed, environmentally sustainable living.

“The model has proven to be both financially and socially sustainable,” he said. “It offers a vibrant, active and engaged community within one building that includes a mix of people from varying stages of life, income levels and household types.”

The way BHC operates financially, private sales provide ongoing income which is reinvested into future projects, while strong tenancy management offers investors peace of mind.

“A commercial development focus also incorporates the selection of prime locations and delivery of high-quality liveable designs,” Mr Cant said.

“In just over four years, the mixed tenure model has helped more than 2600 Queenslanders into high-quality affordable housing.

“It has demonstrated that, as a nation, we can face the challenge and provide affordable housing for those Australians who need it most.”

Mr Cant said in Brisbane, throughout Queensland and across the nation the challenge of housing supply was a serious and urgent one.

According to the State of Supply report by the National Housing Supply Council, Australia will require an additional 3.3 million dwellings by 2029.

Demand for housing in Australia continues to outstrip supply, Mr Cant said, and a growing number of Australians are not only being priced out of the buyers’ market, but also unable to afford skyrocketing rents.

BHC is a 2014 executive member of Queensland Leaders, the organisation mentoring Queensland's new generation of leading companies.

www.bhcl.com.au

www.queenslandleaders.com.au

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