Community Housing

What Community Housing does

Community Housing Limited (CHL) is Australia's largest registered community housing provider, operating as a not-for-profit, registered charity since 1993. CHL delivers end-to-end housing solutions including social housing for very low-income households, affordable housing at discounted market rates for low-to-moderate income and key-worker households, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) for NDIS participants, and market-rate rentals. As of FY25, the organization manages more than 12,056 properties housing over 20,000 customers nationally, with a workforce of approximately 426 people and operations across all Australian states and the Northern Territory through 30+ offices.

CHL's business model combines recurring rental income from social, affordable, and market tenancies with multi-decade availability payments from state and federal government partners (notably the Queensland Housing Investment Fund, Housing Australia Future Fund, and Ground Lease Model arrangements). Revenue is complemented by development and management fees earned on the company's own and consortium-led property developments. The development pipeline is concentrated in institutional partnerships: ANZ and NAB provide senior debt, state governments supply capital grants and availability payments, and construction is delivered via builder/architect consortia. Distribution flows primarily through state-government housing waitlists (for social housing) and direct allocation (for affordable and SDA products), with market rentals handled through CHL's social enterprise Horizon Housing Realty.

The organization is vertically integrated across property development, tenancy management, asset management, and community engagement, with a side platform of community development programs (community hubs, harm-minimisation partnerships, tenancy sustainment services). In FY25, CHL reported revenue and other income of $291 million AUD (up from $224 million the prior year) and total comprehensive income of $89.7 million, with 269 new homes delivered, 2,978 homes under construction across 54 projects, and a further 7,000+ home development pipeline. Leadership comprises Chair John De Vries and CEO Danny Dracic, supported by regional state managers and dedicated functional heads.

Name

Community Housing

Legal name

Community Housing Limited

Website

https://chl.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Community Housing Limited (CHL) is Australia's largest registered community housing provider, managing over 12,000 social, affordable, market, and Specialist Disability Accommodation homes for more than 20,000 low-income, disabled, and older customers across all states and the Northern Territory.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social and Affordable Housing Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Other Community Housing Services (624229), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Homelessness Prevention, Shelter & Supportive Housing Services (BPAIANAC), Public Housing & Social Housing Development/Modernization Programs (FSALAKAH), Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB)

Keywords

• Social housing services
• Affordable housing rental
• Specialist disability accommodation
• Tenancy and property management
• Community housing development

Headquarters

HQ city

Melbourne

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Rental Income: CHL generates rental income from tenants in social, affordable, and market housing properties. Rent for social housing is calculated based on household income (typically a proportion of income).
2. Government Funding and Availability Payments: CHL receives government funding including availability payments over 20-25 year periods (e.g., Queensland Housing Investment Fund, Housing Australia Future Fund) that bridge the gap between delivery costs and rental revenue.
3. Development and Management Fees: CHL earns fees for property development services, project management, and long-term tenancy/property management services across its portfolio of properties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Community Housing Limited provides and manages social, affordable, specialist disability, and market rental homes for low-income households and vulnerable Australians, while also developing new housing supply in partnership with federal, state, and territory governments. Services span property development, tenancy and asset management, maintenance, and community engagement programs that support tenancy sustainment.

Product overview

Community Housing Limited (CHL) is Australia’s largest community housing provider, operating as a not-for-profit organization that delivers social and affordable housing solutions across the country. The company offers a portfolio of housing products including social housing for very low-income households, affordable housing at discounted market rates, Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) for NDIS participants, and market housing through its social enterprise Horizon Housing Realty. CHL manages over 12,000 properties and provides end-to-end services including property development, tenancy management, asset management, and community engagement. Their property portfolio includes completed developments such as Ground Lease Model 1 precinct (Melbourne), Ironbark Place (Southport), Seachange Miami (Gold Coast), and Meridian Residences (Ipswich), as well as developments in progress such as Court Place (Subiaco), King William Street (Bayswater), and Oxford Street (Mount Hawthorn). The company also operates the ROSAS program in Adelaide managing 807 homes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Horizon Housing Realty: Social enterprise real estate agency managing CHL's market housing/build-to-rent properties, reinvesting surplus to support social and affordable housing.

Products and services

• Social Housing Rental housing provided for people on very low incomes who may find it difficult to access private market housing, with places allocated based on government waiting lists and eligibility criteria and rents based on income affordability.
• Affordable Housing Rental homes offered at a discounted market rate for eligible low-to-moderate income households including key workers such as nurses, police, and teachers, providing opportunities to live in well-located areas close to jobs, transport, and services.
• Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) Homes designed and built to meet the needs of people with disability under the NDIS, delivered across four design categories - Improved Liveability, Fully Accessible, High Physical Support, and Robust - with vacancies listed on the Housing Hub platform.
• Market Housing / Build to Rent Homes available for rent at full market rates, managed through Horizon Housing Realty (HHR), CHL's social enterprise real estate agency, with listings on RealEstate.com.au and surpluses reinvested into social and affordable housing delivery.
• Ground Lease Model 1 precinct (Melbourne) Property development project delivering 1,084 newly-built social, affordable and market rental homes across three Melbourne sites through the Building Communities consortium with Homes Victoria, featuring modern, accessible, and energy-efficient design.
• ROSAS (Renewing Our Suburbs and Streets) Program Long-term housing program with the South Australian Government involving management transfer of 807 homes across Central Northern Adelaide with $42 million committed over 10 years for repairs and upgrades.
• Ironbark Place, Southport Four-level property development with 39 homes for people aged over 55, including Specialist Disability Accommodation, located in Southport, Queensland, with lift access, pet-friendly design, rooftop terrace, CCTV, and solar power integration.
• Seachange Miami, Gold Coast Four-level property development with 32 homes for Queenslanders 55 and older located on the Gold Coast Highway, featuring Platinum and Gold Standard design, embedded solar network, and community garden spaces.
• Meridian Residences, Ipswich Four-level property development with 43 homes in Booval, Ipswich for people on the social housing register or public housing residents, with a focus on women and families, featuring communal areas, garden spaces, and commercial space for community-focused services.
• Court Place, Subiaco Property development delivering 447 new affordable and social build-to-rent apartments (300 affordable and 147 social) at Court Place, Subiaco, WA, with support from the WA Government and Housing Australia Future Fund.
• King William Street, Bayswater Proposed nine-storey mixed-use social and affordable housing development with 72 apartments (36 one-bedroom, 36 two-bedroom) plus ground-floor commercial space, on-site parking and bicycle facilities at Bayswater, WA.
• Oxford Street, Mount Hawthorn Proposed mixed-use social (Band A) and affordable (Band B) housing development with 48 apartments (29 one-bedroom, 19 two-bedroom) in a seven-storey building with rooftop terrace and sustainable design features, located in Mount Hawthorn.
• Queensland Housing Pipeline Phase 2 Phase 2 of the Queensland housing pipeline delivering 255 new social and affordable homes across 7 projects in Park Ridge, Marsden, Woodridge, Waterford West, Miles, Chinchilla, and Roma, supported by the Queensland Government and ANZ.

Quantifiable outcome

• $8.67 million in social and economic value generated through West Kempsey community development work over 12 months
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered supporting and core.

• PARC DevelopmentssupportingImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 May 2026Development manager for King William Street, Bayswater project on behalf of CHL.
• METRONET EastsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026WA government METRONET program for Bayswater Station precinct redevelopment where CHL's King William Street project is located.
• KO&Co ArchitecturesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026Architect for Meridian Residences development in Booval, Ipswich.
• McNabsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026Project partner for Meridian Residences development.
• CollierssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 March 2026Project partner for Meridian Residences development.
• OpendoorsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Fully funded renovation of garden shed into community hub at Ferntree Gully, Victoria. Provided funding through Workforce Australia Work for the Dole program.
• Workforce AustraliasupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 February 2026Provider of Work for the Dole participants who completed renovation work on Ferntree Gully community hub.
• RyallSmythsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 December 2025Architect for Ironbark Place development in Southport, Queensland.
• PaynterssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 December 2025Builder for Ironbark Place development, constructing 39 homes for people aged over 55.
• Queensland Government (Department of Housing and Public Works)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 November 2025Major government partner supporting housing developments across Queensland including Phase 1 (156 homes) and Phase 2 (255 homes) of housing pipeline. Provides capital grants, availability payments, and policy support for social and affordable housing delivery.
• Alder ConstructionssupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 September 2025Builder for Seachange Miami development on Gold Coast, constructing 32 homes for older Queenslanders.
• DevelopmentWAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025WA government authority leading Subi East Redevelopment. Selected CHL as preferred proponent for Court Place affordable and social housing site.
• DKO ArchitecturesupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Architecture firm for Court Place development in Subiaco, WA.
• NSW Land and Housing CorporationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2024Donated home to transform into West Kempsey Community Hub, supporting community development programs.
• Homes VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Government partner for Ground Lease Model projects, working with Building Communities consortium to deliver 1,370 new social, affordable and market rental homes across Victoria.
• ICONsupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Part of Building Communities consortium delivering Ground Lease Model 1 project across three Melbourne sites.
• VincentCare VictoriacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 August 2023Collaboration supporting 17 individuals and families in long-term affordable housing across Victoria. Support workers assist new tenants for at least six months to help navigate housing entry and sustain tenancies.
• NSW HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in Macleay Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) program since 2021, addressing alcohol and drug challenges through community education and harm minimisation.
• NUAA (NSW Users and AIDS Association)supportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in Macleay LDAT program providing expertise on harm minimisation and peer support.
• The ButterysupportingStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in Macleay LDAT program providing alcohol and other drug support services.
• Mid-North Coast Local Health DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Partner in Macleay LDAT program, providing harm minimisation workers and naloxone training.
• South Australian GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Government partner for ROSAS program, transferring 807 homes to CHL management in 2017. $42 million investment over 10 years for repairs and upgrades.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Bridge Housing: One of Australia's largest community housing providers operating in NSW, delivering social and affordable housing, tenancy, and asset management - directly comparable to CHL in mandate, customer base, and operating model.
• Housing Choices Australia: National-scale registered CHP providing social, affordable, and disability housing across multiple Australian states - directly comparable portfolio diversification and customer segments as CHL.
• BlueCHP: Australian community housing provider with multi-state operations delivering social and affordable housing to low-income households, key workers, and seniors - parallel mandate and tenancy model.
• Evolve Housing: NSW-based community housing provider delivering affordable rental housing and tenant support services - same not-for-profit operating model and similar tenant mix as CHL.
• SGCH (St George Community Housing): Sydney-anchored registered CHP providing social and affordable housing and tenancy support - comparable operating footprint and tenant profile to CHL's NSW operations.
• Unison Housing: Victorian-based registered CHP providing social and affordable rental housing and homelessness services - directly comparable to CHL's Victorian operations including GLM1-style portfolios.
• Launch Housing: Melbourne-focused community housing and homelessness organisation providing social housing and tenancy support - directly comparable in Victoria and overlapping on homelessness cohorts.
• City West Housing: Sydney-based affordable housing provider delivering rental homes to low and moderate-income households - directly comparable product offering and urban-mandate focus.
• Hume Community Housing: Major NSW-based registered CHP delivering social and affordable housing across metropolitan and regional areas - directly comparable in service mix (social, affordable, SDA) and tenancy-management focus.

Broad incumbents

• Mission Australia Housing: Large national not-for-profit that operates social and affordable housing within a broader welfare services portfolio - comparable housing product within a wider social-services scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@communityhousingltd6656
• Facebookfacebook.com/communityhousinglimited
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/community-housing-limited
• Instagraminstagram.com/chlgroup
• Xx.com/chlgroup

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Community Housing