Brisbane Social Housing Projects Greenlit

Queensland not-for-profit developer and community housing provider Brisbane Housing Company’s two new social and affordable housing towers have been approved.

The Brisbane City Council has greenlit the projects in Chermside and Stones Corner.

The developments will together provide 116 apartments. Construction is expected to begin early next year.

On Brisbane’s northside, the five-storey build-to-rent development on Ethel Street, Chermside will provide a mix of 34 one and two-bedroom apartments.

The site is close to transport and major health and retail precincts.

Designed by award-winning Brisbane architectural group Ultralinea, the project will deliver an equal mix of 17 social and 17 affordable homes to cater specifically to the needs of low-income workers and people on the social housing register, who are at risk of homelessness.

In Stones Corner in the Queensland capital’s inner-south, BHC will deliver a mix of 82 studio, one and two-bedroom apartments on Cleveland Street.

The 10-storey building, designed by award-winning Ellivo Architects, comprises 50 social and 32 affordable homes.

Both projects are targeting 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 chief executive Rebecca Oelkers said the two developments supported their strategy to increase the supply of affordable rental homes for Queenslanders. 

▲ A render of the now-approved tower for a site on Cleveland Street, Stones Corner.

“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,” Ms 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.”

Earlier this year, BHC received planning approval for a development in Redcliffe, providing much needed accommodation to seniors, and the company’s new Mount Gravatt East development is under construction and on track for completion in early 2023.

This month, BHC marked its 20-year anniversary, celebrating the provision of more than 2,000 affordable and high-quality homes for Queenslanders in need. BHC has set an ambitious target to grow its portfolio by a further 2000 homes over the next five years.