Not-for-profit developer Brisbane Housing Company has secured Council approval for its two new social and affordable housing projects, one on Ethel Street, Chermside and another in Stones Corner.
Brisbane City Council has approved BHC’s development plans which will provide a combined 116 apartments, supporting the company’s strategy to increase the supply of affordable rental homes for Queenslanders.
BHC caters to a variety of people in need with affordable and stable accommodation including people eligible for social housing, with rents usually set at 25-30 per cent of household weekly income. The affordable housing component of BHC’s developments provides rental opportunities for lower-income earners at 75 per cent of the average market rent.
One of the projects will be located on Brisbane’s northside and the other one will be in the inner south with construction slated to commence in early 2023.
A five-storey build-to-rent development will rise at 5 and 9 Ethel Street, Chermside – close to local transport and major health and retail precincts. The Ultralinea-designed housing tower will comprise a mix of 34 (28 x one-bedroom and 6 x two-bedroom) homes.
The project, likewise, will deliver an equal mix of 17 social housing and 17 affordable homes targeting those at risk of homelessness, particularly low-income workers and people on the social housing register. It will feature multiple spaces where residents could meet and connect including an alfresco rooftop and ground floor common space.
A total of 31 car parking spaces will be provided including 22 resident car parks and 9 visitor car parks as well as 43 bicycle spaces.
The Brisbane inner-south 10-storey development, meanwhile, will deliver a mix of 82 studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments on a site located on Cleveland Street in Stones Corner. Designed by award-winning Ellivo Architects, the project will comprise 50 social housing and 32 affordable homes.
The Chermside and Stones Corner projects will target a 7+star NatHERS rating, offering rainwater collection and storage for landscape irrigation, a solar array to power the communal spaces and lifts, and naturally cross-ventilated apartments and communal spaces.
BHC’s vision is to create vibrant developments that provide essential workers, and Queenslanders in housing need, with safe, quality homes located close to local transport and services,” BHC Chief Executive Officer Rebecca Oelkers said.
“These community-centric housing options will be brought to life by thoughtful architecture, providing the peace of mind for residents that comes with the stability of long-term rental tenure.
“Our new Chermside development is within walking distance of the Prince Charles and St Vincent’s hospitals and the retail hub of Chermside Shopping Centre and will provide much needed accommodation to essential workers in these precincts.
“Similarly, our Stones Corner development is centrally located close to public transport, retail, parklands, and employment and education opportunities in the inner-city.”
BHC marked its 20th anniversary last November 2022 with a provision of more than 2,000 affordable and high-quality homes for Queenslanders in need. BHC targets a further 2,000 homes over the next five years.