Property agents with a social conscience bring hope to those in housing need

Affordable housing provider Brisbane Housing Company (BHC) will create an annual fund to invest in the delivery of programs and initiatives that will improve lives and outcomes for tenants who might otherwise be homeless or living in severe and damaging housing stress. 

The programs will be delivered and paid for with the earnings of Elevate Residential, BHC’s profit–for–purpose real estate agency which ploughs every dollar of profit it earns back into the work of BHC. 

BHC CEO Rebecca Oelkers launched the BHC Impact Fund at a lunch attended by BHC and Elevate friends and supporters on Wednesday, March 24. Property market analyst and commentator Tim Lawless, founder of CoreLogic Australia research division (formerly RP Data), was a special guest at the event to speak about the current Brisbane property market. 

Ms Oelkers said the Impact Fund would help deliver a range of opportunities for tenants including:  

• better educational outcomes through bursaries for school children from very low–income families for school camps, text books, uniforms and school fees 
• better social, health and economic outcomes by addressing digital exclusion and helping people get online 
• training, education and volunteering opportunities for people of all ages and abilities including seniors and people with disabilities who make a up a substantial portion of BHC tenants 
• initiatives to support residents experiencing mental health concerns, domestic violence and other complex issues that can lead to tenancy breakdown. 

“Our residents come from all walks of life, but many would otherwise be homeless or living in severe and damaging housing stress in the private rental market,” Ms Oelkers said. 

“We know the affordable homes we develop and manage at BHC provide a critical platform for people to move forward with their lives, however many of our residents have a real need for much more than just a roof over their heads to be successful.  

“To empower people and help them to transform their lives they also need support, and opportunities to participate in employment, training, social and community activities.  

BHC is a charity and affordable housing provider which creates sustainable and positive housing options for people on low and very low incomes across Brisbane. It has developed and continues to manage more than 1700 affordable homes since its launch in 2002.  

Ms Oelkers said that in setting up Elevate Residential, BHC recognised more and more people wanted to do business with companies that not only provide great service but contribute to good social and community outcomes.  

 “By choosing Elevate Residential, you make a difference and give hope to people in housing need right across Brisbane,” she said.