Bridge Housing | 2023 Impact Report
Impact Report 2023
Changing lives through more homes and quality services.
Number of residents
Number Properties
Residents homeless or at risk prior to their Bridge Housing home
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Message from our CHAIR
I reflect on Bridge Housing’s remarkable journey in my last report after nine years on the Board – doubling in size from 1,500 to 3,600 properties, while delivering leading services to our applicants and residents.
Establishing award-winning tenancy and asset management services, pioneering the Housing First model, navigating Covid and developing new community engagement programs have been rewarding. Extending our footprint and building new partnerships on the Northern Beaches has been a highlight. I am particularly proud to have overseen a smooth transition from our long-term CEO to our new CEO, Rebecca Pinkstone.
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Policy changes have supported us to develop more properties for people in need. Without doubt the National Housing Investment and Finance Corporation has been a game changer for our sector, providing access to cheaper, long-term finance to support our development program. The Housing Australia Future Fund will transform our industry again.Bridge Housing’s success in tendering for the redevelopment of 330 new homes at Elizabeth Street, Redfern will be the first large scale development led by a community housing provider. It represents the innovation and leadership Bridge Housing consistently demonstrates in the sector.
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Message from our CEO
It has been a busy year for Bridge Housing, with significant progress against our strategic plan and a suite of awards for our work. Of note, our digital strategy and portal solution for staff and tenants, using nudge theory to better our residents service experience, our partnership with our Aboriginal tenants, and Helen Tighe’s recognition for outstanding leadership and contribution to the housing industry. Together these awards represent the focus of our work – quality services that change lives for the better.
The housing crisis has driven higher demand for our services. We have innovated to counter the volatility of the private rental market, which impacts our large headlease portfolio. Our $65 million partnership with Conscious Investment Management will enable us to purchase 90 properties, providing greater stability for our residents. We have delivered 102 properties this year and secured $29.5 million in funding to house people in need.
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Our partnership with Capella Capital to redevelop the site at Elizabeth Street, Redfern is changing the way the NSW Government works with our industry. Partnerships with not-for-profit community housing providers like us maximise social and affordable housing delivery on government land. This shared agenda will be super-charged through the Housing Australia Future Fund. There are many opportunities ahead to tackle the housing crisis.
An escalating crisis
We work at the coalface of Sydney’s housing crisis. We’ve seen unprecedented demand driven by low affordable housing supply, a tightening private rental market and rising homelessness coupled with cost of living pressures.
Increase in private rents in 2023
NSW households in housing stress
Households on the NSW social housing waitlist
The difference we make
Improving the housing crisis
A safe, secure, affordable home is the stable base people need to change their lives for the better. We measure the impact of our work for our residents and local community across five key areas:
- House and home
- Health and safety
- Social and community
- Work, learning and financial wellbeing
- Environment
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House and home
98%Residents sustaining their tenancy for over a year
87%Residents feel more stable since moving in
80%Residents in crisis feel more stable with a Wellbeing Plan
82%Allocations to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
165Residents in Housing First programs
100%Homes meet NSW Government condition standard
77%Residents happy with the condition of their home
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Health and safety
83%Residents have improved wellbeing
82%Residents can better manage their physical health
78%Residents can better manage their mental health
78%Residents feel safe in their homes
74%Residents feel safe in their neighbourhood
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Social and community
72%Residents can build better relationships with people important to them
713Residents attended our community events
154Resident led initiatives and events
73%Residents feel we treat them with respect
74%Residents making positive change in their lives
71%Residents feel their quality of life has improved
85%Residents can access the services they need
74%Residents can access social and leisure activities
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Work, learning and financial well being
85%Residents can better manage their costs of living
1.3%Rent arrears
29Residents gaining stable employment
$33.5KAwarded in scholarships
47Residents awarded scholarships
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Environment
36t CO2-eScope 1 CO2 emissions
535t CO2-eScope 2 CO2 emissions
30%Green power in common areas and offices
A delivery strategy with purpose and impact
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Executive team
Our Executive Team at Bridge Housing leads over 100 staff to deliver quality housing services. They are guided by a strong framework of governance, accountability, and transparency.
Our priority is maximising impact for our residents and local community. Through partnerships we establish scalable models to deliver more homes and quality services.
L-R Lee Geary, Rebecca Pinkstone, Chris Dib, David Miller, Helen Tighe -
Board
A Board of eight independent, non-executive directors governs Bridge Housing. It is responsible for determining the business strategy and assessing and managing risks.
Our voluntary Board receive no remuneration for their services. With recruitment based on skills, they bring deep, diverse experience to our mission.
L-R: Jill Hannaford, Graham Monk, Karen Cooper, Mark Turner, Vivienne Yu, Carolyn Scobie, Stephen Bull, Liz Forsyth -
Staff
Our committed team work tirelessly to empower our residents to achieve their goals and do what’s important to them. Bringing a diversity of skills and experience, we are proud of our inclusive workplace culture that enables staff to make a difference every single day.
Bridge Housing acknowledges the Gadigal, Darug, Bidjigal and Gai-mariagal people as the traditional owners of the lands on which we work, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present.
Always was, always will be, Aboriginal Land.