Community Housing Ltd - Comprehensive Analysis Report

Summary

Community Housing Ltd (CHL) is Australia's largest regulated community housing provider (CHP) and a registered charity, established in 1993. Its core mission is to design, develop, and manage housing that supports people's wellbeing and strengthens communities. CHL envisions a world without housing poverty, where everyone has access to secure, affordable homes and stronger, more connected communities. The company plays a crucial role in the Australian housing sector, working with customers, partners, and government to deliver safe, affordable housing and foster stronger futures. Beyond Australia, CHL has expanded its operations into South Asia, South-East Asia, and South America, with a presence in Timor-Leste, Chile, India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Rwanda, developing housing strategies in partnership with local communities and governments. Currently, CHL manages over 12,000 properties, serving more than 20,000 customers across all six states and the Northern Territory in Australia.

1. Strategic Focus & Objectives

Core Objectives

CHL's Strategic Plan for 2024-27 emphasizes "putting people first" to cultivate stronger, more connected communities and achieve a world without housing poverty. Key objectives include:

Becoming an employer of choice.

Delivering efficient and effective services to its customers.

Contributing to housing solutions through innovation and research.

Managing the organization with discipline to drive meaningful change.

Specialization Areas

CHL offers end-to-end capabilities across the housing delivery lifecycle, including:

Tenancy and Property Management: Ensuring effective management of housing units.

Asset Management and Facilities Maintenance: Maintaining properties to high standards.

Community Engagement and Development: Fostering connectivity and strength within communities.

Property Development: Designing and constructing new housing solutions.

Partnerships and Investments: Collaborating with various entities to scale impact.

Policy and Advocacy: Influencing policy to improve housing outcomes.

These specializations cover social and affordable housing, specialist disability accommodation, and market housing. CHL is committed to creating homes that are affordable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible, with spaces designed for community interaction. Their impact approach is structured around Environment (caring for place), Social (championing communities), and Governance (leading with integrity, accountability, and purpose).

Target Markets

CHL primarily targets individuals and families in need of secure, affordable housing across Australia. Its services extend to all six states and the Northern Territory. Additionally, the company is active in international markets within South Asia, South-East Asia, and South America, focusing on regions like Timor-Leste, Chile, India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Rwanda, where it works with communities and governments to develop housing strategies. The broad target market includes low-income individuals, people requiring specialist disability accommodation, and those seeking affordable rental options.

2. Financial Overview

Funding History

Community Housing Ltd operates as a limited company where all financial surpluses are reinvested into providing quality affordable housing.

FY25 Financial Performance: Reported strong performance with revenue and other income increasing to $291 million, a significant rise from $224 million in the prior fiscal year. Total comprehensive income for FY25 reached $89.7 million, up from $46.4 million in the previous year.

Funding Model: As a non-profit, CHL does not detail specific external funding rounds with private investors in the traditional sense. Instead, its funding model combines government investment with private and philanthropic capital. This approach is central to creating innovative funding structures that enable greater scale in housing delivery. Their ability to secure funding for social and affordable homes involves a mix of project partnerships, financing arrangements, and direct government funding.

3. Product Pipeline

Key Products/Services

CHL's core offerings include the design, development, and management of various housing types to address diverse needs:

Social Housing: Providing affordable housing for individuals and families on low incomes.

Affordable Housing: Delivering housing options priced below market rates to ensure accessibility.

Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA): Developing purpose-built housing designed to meet the needs of people with extreme functional impairment or very high support needs.

Market Housing: Integrating market-rate housing into developments to create mixed communities and generate revenue for social objectives.

Current Pipeline Development (FY25):

Homes Under Construction: Progressed 2,978 homes across 54 projects.

Additional Pipeline: Built a pipeline of more than 7,000 additional homes.

Portfolio Growth: As of October 2024, CHL increased its portfolio under management by 979 properties, bringing the total to over 12,000 community housing units across the group.

New South Wales: Increased portfolio by 26 properties in the Mid North Coast region.

Queensland: Community Housing Queensland Limited (CHQL) commenced construction of 72 units on the Gold Coast and completed five units in Roma. Additionally, 197 apartments are under construction across six projects in Southport, Beenleigh, Miami, and Booval.

South Australia: Completed construction of eight units in Adelaide and is proceeding with 21 additional units.

Tasmania: Constructing 14 units expected to be completed in the upcoming financial year.

Victoria: Building Communities (Vic) Limited (BCVL) began construction of 1,084 units in Brighton, Flemington, and Prahran. Community Housing (Vic) Limited (CHVL) commenced construction of 172 units in Croydon and Sunbury and received 29 completed units in Melton as part of the Victorian “Big Housing Build” initiative.

4. Technology & Innovation

Technology Stack

Community Housing Ltd's innovation strategy is not defined by a specific set of proprietary technological platforms or patents, but rather by its strategic approach to integrated housing solutions and sustainable practices.

Sustainable Design Principles: Employs sustainable design throughout construction, asset management, operations, and climate risk mitigation. This includes a commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, supporting climate resilience, and building homes and communities for the long term.

Customer-Centric Approach: Innovation is embedded in its end-to-end capabilities, focusing on integrating social impact with efficient service delivery through a customer-centric model.

Project Management Approach: The company invests in new technology and adopts a robust project management framework for new business ideas and development initiatives.

Technical Capabilities: Leverages its expertise in property development, asset management, and community engagement to deliver innovative housing and support services.

5. Leadership & Management

Executive Team

Community Housing Ltd's executive team drives its strategic direction and operations, supported by a Board of Directors.

Danny Dracic - Chief Executive Officer. Appointed CEO in May 2024 and based in Melbourne. With nearly two decades at CHL since 2008, he has been instrumental in scaling the organization from managing 850 homes to over 12,000 nationally. He is recognized for his vision, ability to deliver large-scale projects, and commitment to community-centric housing solutions.

Gavin Potter - Chief Financial Officer. Appointed in 2023 and based in Robina, he oversees the Financial, Treasury, and Reporting division, encompassing financial transactions, reporting, and risk management. He also contributes as a licensed Director on the Board of Horizon Housing Realty (HHR).

Lee Monik - Chief Governance Officer and General Counsel. Based in Melbourne, he is responsible for legal, governance, risk, and compliance functions, playing a key role in strategic planning and risk management. His extensive background includes advisory and management roles in legal services, community housing, financial services, property development, and not-for-profit governance.

Alicia Follent - Chief Systems Officer. Based in Brisbane, she leads organizational transformation by aligning strategy, operations, and technology for growth and sustainability. Before this role, she served as Queensland State Manager and brings over 18 years of experience in the community and social housing sector across operational management, development, government policy, advocacy, strategy, and business transformation.

Emma Spano - Oversees the housing delivery lifecycle, including portfolio planning, strategy, origination, commercial structuring, funding, and development. She is crucial in brokering cross-sector partnerships to foster innovation and scale impact, having previously served as Head of Impact Lending.

Keely Moore - Directs national housing, homelessness, and asset management operations, service delivery, and community engagement/development, leading state and national operational teams. She possesses extensive expertise in operational leadership and service delivery, particularly focused on housing accessibility and service excellence.

Recent Leadership Changes

In March 2025, Ebele Akojie was appointed as Interim Chief Financial Officer. This appointment followed Richard Lethbridge's decision to step down as Director of Finance at the end of March 2025. Ebele Akojie brings over two decades of experience in finance, governance, and resource management, with previous notable roles including Finance Director at Genesis, Chief Finance Officer at One Housing Group, and Executive Director of Finance and Resources at Settle.

6. Talent and Growth Indicators

Hiring Trends and Workforce

Community Housing Ltd maintains a substantial organizational size, employing over 420 people across 30 offices in all six states and the Northern Territory in Australia. As of October 2025, the broader "Community Housing" sector (which may include CHL) reported approximately 501 employees across two continents, with a 14% growth in employee count in the past year, indicating a healthy expansion trajectory.

Current job postings for "Community Housing Limited" in Melbourne, VIC, reveal a focus on resident interaction and operational management. Key roles being recruited include:

Community Engagement Coordinator

Resident Experience Team Leader (Supervisor role)

Community Housing Officer

These roles underscore the company's commitment to direct community interaction, strong customer service, and effective housing operations. Job descriptions emphasize meaningful work, community empowerment, a supportive team environment, and competitive salary packaging with non-profit benefits, highlighting CHL's culture and its appeal as an employer.

7. Social Media Presence and Engagement

Digital Footprint

Community Housing Ltd actively leverages its digital platforms to communicate its mission, demonstrate its impact, and engage with a broad range of stakeholders.

YouTube Presence: Maintains a YouTube channel featuring videos that explain community housing and showcase their work.

Website Content: Their official website serves as a central hub, highlighting news, publications, community initiatives, annual reports, and critical partnerships.

Community Engagement: Actively engages residents through initiatives such as annual garden and kids' coloring competitions.

Brand Messaging: Continuously communicates its commitment to reconciliation and support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, particularly through commemorating milestones like the one-year anniversary of their REFLECT Reconciliation Action Plan. These efforts reinforce CHL's brand as a socially responsible and community-focused organization.

8. Competitive Analysis

Major Competitors

Community Housing Ltd operates within Australia's dynamic housing market, competing with a range of providers across different segments:

Other Community Housing Providers (CHPs): CHL exists within a diverse industry alongside many other regulated not-for-profit CHPs. Collectively, these providers manage over 120,000 homes across Australia. Organizations like Housing Choices Australia, St Vincent de Paul Society, and Mission Australia are significant players in the sector, offering similar services in social and affordable housing.

Public Housing Sector: Historically, state and territory public housing authorities were major providers of social housing. Although this sector is declining in terms of stock management, it still represents a form of competition by offering government-provided housing.

Private Developers and Property Management Companies: These entities offer alternative housing options across market, affordable, and sometimes social housing segments. Private developers contribute to the overall housing supply, while property management companies compete in the broader rental market.

CHL differentiates itself through its scale as Australia's largest regulated CHP, its end-to-end capabilities from development to community engagement, and its focus on innovative funding models that combine government, private, and philanthropic capital.

9. Market Analysis

Market Overview

The Australian housing market is a substantial and growing sector, reaching an estimated size of USD 147.7 billion in 2024 and projected to grow to USD 178.4 billion by 2033, demonstrating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.12% during 2025-2033.

Growth Drivers: The market's growth is primarily fueled by robust population growth, increasing demand for housing, and evolving government policy programs aimed at improving supply and affordability. Regional migration from urban centers also contributes to shifting housing demand patterns.

Government Initiatives: Significant government initiatives, such as the USD 43 billion "Homes for Australia Plan," are designed to boost housing supply and affordability. This plan includes provisions to assist first-time homebuyers and a firm commitment to build 100,000 new social and affordable homes, creating significant opportunities for providers like CHL.

Market Challenges: Australia faces a critical shortage of social and affordable rental homes, estimated at over 600,000 units. This deficit is projected to exceed 1 million within the next 15 years without urgent intervention, highlighting the persistent need for community housing solutions.