Connect Housing Group and BlueCHP have today announced they have signed an MOU to grow the supply of social, affordable and disability housing within the Mackay, Isaac and Whitsunday regions.
The MOU creates a partnership with a view to Connect Housing Group accessing finance from the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC).
Connect Housing Group Chief Executive Office Jennifer Emmett said, access to NHFIC finance is only practical if we partner with a Tier 1 Community Housing Provider and BlueCHP provides that for us.
BlueCHP was one of the first Community Housing Providers to borrow from the NHFIC, firstly to refinance existing debt and then for the construction of new social, affordable and disability housing.
BlueCHP Chief Executive Officer Charles Northcote said that partnering with other Community Housing Provider’s was in BlueCHP’s DNA.
“BlueCHP was founded by 5 Community Housing Providers in 2008 because they needed a specialist developer of social and affordable housing,” Mr. Northcote said.
Since 2008 BlueCHP has delivered more than 1,700 dwellings, retaining approximately 735, supporting more than 1,400 residents.
Connect Housing Group was established in 2010 as a vehicle to deliver affordable housing for the Mackay region and currently manages 132 properties supporting more than 150 people.
Connect Housing Group Chairperson Karen May said, partnering to grow the stock of housing was essential to meet unmet demand in the region.”
Under the MOU Connect Housing Group will continue to collaborate with the Queensland Department of Housing and Public Works and Mackay Regional Council.
The MOU ensures Connect Housing Group’s social housing tenants will continue to receive support without any interruption to services.
Connect Housing Group and BlueCHP are currently working on resolving the partnership and further details will be released when available.
For comment contact
Jennifer Emmett – CEO Connect Housing Group
Charles Northcote – CEO BlueCHP Limited