Affordable Housing Provider Doubles Down on Brisbane Projects

Affordable housing developer Brisbane Housing Company is beefing up its portfolio with plans for two developments across Brisbane.

BHC already has Queensland’s biggest wholly-owned, purpose-built affordable housing portfolio—and one of the largest in Australia—with more than 1800 homes across the state. 

It has filed plans for a 10-storey, 82-apartment affordable and social housing tower for a 1214sq m site at 23-27 Cleveland Street at Stones Corner, and a 34-apartment development at Chermside.

It is in excess of the eight-storey height limits in the Stones Corner area, but planners and architects Ellivo have argued the building is an “aesthetic structure where the bulk and scale is reduced to provide a human scale addressing the street”.

“Overall the proposal is for a contemporary architectural design which delivers quality affordable housing for people in need,” the planning report said.

“[It] is consistent with the scale and form intended for the precinct and the characteristics of surrounding development consistent with the performance outcome.”

The typical floor plan comprises one two-bedroom unit, five one-bedroom units and three studios, to provide a variety of living arrangements.

It also includes two basement levels with 36 resident car parks and 13 visitor parking spaces, and a communal rooftop space. 

“The site at 23 Cleveland Street, Stones Corner has been identified as a key location for the delivery of affordable housing in a manner which is financially feasible. 

“The proposal will be submitted to the Housing Investment Fund for investment as part of the State Government initiative to target housing supply priorities such as homelessness, diverse rental supply and housing choices for a range of household demographics.”

Oakridge Property Group has lodged a development application for a mixed-use 13-storey apartment tower on the site of the Freemasons Centre at Stones Corner, next door. 

A single-storey brick building and a car park currently on the 2104sq m site at 17 Cleveland Street would be demolished to make way for a 13-storey, four-basement apartment tower with retail tenancies on the ground floor.

Privately owned Brisbane residential developer Oakridge Property Group will acquire and develop the site, subject to Brisbane City Council approval.

BHC this month also filed plans for a 34-apartment development at 5-9 Ethel Street at Chermside, targeting key workers in the commercial and hospital hub.

▲ BHC’s Chermside proposal comprises 34 apartments.

Two post-war homes would make way for the six-storey development, in partnership with the Queensland government, to deliver 28 one-bedroom and six two-bedroom apartments.

BHC chief executive Rebecca Oelkers said the state government’s support for social and affordable housing 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,” Oelkers said.

“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.”

The Chermside development is one of the first to be delivered as part of the state government’s Queensland Housing Investment Fund.

According to BHC, rent is typically limited to 25 to 30 per cent of tenants’ incomes in affordable housing and tenants generally pay less than 75 per cent of the prevailing market rent. 

Architect Ultra Linea said the constrained site would unlock the potential for accessing nearby amenity and employment hubs for key workers.