Community Housing Limited (CHL) has officially launched Phase 2 of its innovative housing pipeline, extending its commitment to provide safe and secure housing for Queenslanders through the delivery of 255 new social and affordable homes between now and early 2028, supported by investment from the Queensland Government’s Department of Housing and Public Works, alongside debt finance from ANZ.
The announcement was marked today by an official sod turning ceremony at Waterford West, signalling the start of construction for 44 one and two-bedroom homes. The Waterford West development is the first of seven projects in Phase 2, and builds upon the solid foundation of Phase 1, which began in early 2025 to deliver 156 homes across Ipswich, Logan and Western Downs.
Phase 2 projects will include new homes in Park Ridge, Marsden, Woodridge, Waterford West, Miles, Chinchilla, and Roma. The new homes will aim to support Queenslanders on the housing register, as well as people over 55 who may be under-occupying larger homes or in properties no longer suited to their needs.
At the heart of this collaborative initiative is an innovative financial model supported by the Queensland Government that combines State capital grants and availability payments, with senior debt from ANZ and ensures debt-free ownership of properties after 20 years.
CHL’s CEO Danny Dracic said: “This innovative model provides a financially sustainable approach to creating more social and affordable homes. The approach also supports close collaboration amongst CHL and our partners by working to replicate and scale the model across the state to meet growing community housing needs and create lasting solutions.”
“We are proud to be expanding our pipeline of social and affordable homes across Queensland. Every new project means more people will have the chance to live in safe, secure and affordable housing, and that is at the very heart of what we do,” said Dracic.
CHL’s Queensland State Manager, Carly Bairstow, said the delivery model is designed to deliver real benefits for Queenslanders by creating stable, affordable homes that help people and communities thrive.
“These projects are about so much more than bricks and mortar. They will give older Queenslanders, families and people waiting on the housing register the security of having a place to truly call home,” said Bairstow.
“When partners come together with a shared commitment to our communities, we can create affordable, high-quality homes that will make a real difference in people’s lives now and for generations to come.”
The Honourable Sam O’Connor MP, Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Youth, welcomed the announcement as a positive step for housing delivery in Queensland.
“Our record $5.6 billion investment in social and community housing is delivering more Queenslanders a safe, secure place to call home. Community housing providers like CHL are essential partners in delivering our target of 53,500 social and community homes by 2044. This partnership model shows what’s possible when government, financiers and housing providers work together and we’re proud to be supporting this project to deliver 44 much needed homes for Waterford West,” said Minister O’Connor.
For the Waterford West project within Phase 2, it is supported by partners including Planum Partners (financial advisors), Hall and Wilcox (legal advisors), ANZ (financier), Gorman Property Group (developer) and Philip Usher Constructions (builder), alongside the Department of Housing and Public Works.
Together, these partnerships are laying the groundwork for a new standard for social and affordable housing, combining an innovative, replicable model with practical high-quality delivery to directly address the state’s housing challenges and strengthen communities across Queensland into the future.
