Increase In Housing Imminent With Integration

Two not-for-profit community housing organisations have joined forces to fast-track fulfilling the need for housing stock in the Mackay region.

Mackay-based Connect Housing Group, established in 2009, has integrated with national company BlueCHP to strengthen the region’s position in advocating and actioning an increased supply of affordable and social housing.

Connect Housing Group Board Chair Karen May said the joint effort had “expanded our position and access to opportunities,” including a submission to the State Government.

“We currently have two affordable housing projects being reviewed for quick start funding, and are actively looking for further opportunities – whether that be via state or federal government funded programs or partnering with private enterprise to enable development to proceed,” Ms May said.

“We know the need is great. Our board is made up of Mackay community members who are invested in this region, and partnering with BlueCHP has increased our resources exponentially to take even bigger steps towards developing more affordable and social housing to fulfill that need.”

BlueCHP director and CEO Charles Northcote said the two companies had been working closely together over the past four years to “ensure a smooth transition to the new integrated company structure and board”.

“Our combined efforts will assist in growing the Mackay region’s housing stock to service not just social housing clients, but affordable housing as well,” Mr Northcote said.

“BlueCHP brings an extensive amount of housing development experience to the foundations that Connect Housing Group have already laid, and we are in a position to hit the ground running.”

Connect Housing Group founding CEO Jennifer Emmett said that the integration with BlueCHP was “finally the right fit”.

“During the 10 years that I led the company, we focused on exploring many different options for how we could achieve our goal of growing the housing stock so more community members had a house to call home,” Ms Emmett said.

“We met with many housing companies over many years before we found a company that had similar values and goals and was the right fit for the Connect Housing Group.

“The Connect Housing Group has an exciting future ahead.”

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BlueCHP director and CEO Charles Northcote and Connect Housing Group Board Chair Karen May. Photo supplied

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