central australian affordable housing company

What central australian affordable housing company does

Community Housing Central Australia (CHCA) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) incorporated in 2009 and headquartered in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. It provides social and affordable housing plus tenancy and property management services across 16 Alice Springs Town Camps and a growing portfolio of specialist programs, including Bloomfield Development (17 properties), Apmere Urlte Transitional Housing (20 units), Renal Accommodation (33 houses for dialysis patients), MHACA Housing (6 units), and the My Place Program (up to 33 properties). In October 2024 the NT Government transferred 100 additional public housing properties to CHCA, materially expanding its managed estate to roughly 400+ dwellings. CHCA also secured $2.5 million under the NT Strategic Housing Action Plan (SHAP) in early 2025 for a five-home construction project.

CHCA's business model is government-funded and not-for-profit, with revenue drawn from multi-year tenancy management agreements with the NT Department of Housing, Local Government and Community Development, NT Department of Health program funding (renal housing), federal funding through the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA), tenant rents constrained under social/affordable housing pricing, and one-off capital grants such as SHAP. CHCA reports 94% tenant satisfaction, a strong service-delivery metric in remote Indigenous housing. It is governed by a board with deep Aboriginal governance capability and close institutional ties to the Tangentyere Council, the peak Aboriginal organisation in Alice Springs, and led by CEO Ken Marchingo AM, a community housing veteran with a prior track record scaling another registered community housing provider.

CHCA does not operate a proprietary technology platform or software product; its underlying capability is in culturally appropriate tenancy and property management, cross-agency coordination (Tangentyere Council, Central Land Council, Healthabitat, Purple House, MHACA), and capital project delivery in remote Central Australia. Its competitive position rests on regulatory recognition as an ACCO, embedded relationships with Aboriginal community organisations and NT Government, and operational specialisation in remote-area Indigenous housing rather than on technology differentiation or scale economics.

Name

central australian affordable housing company

Legal name

Community Housing Central Australia

Website

https://chca.org.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Community Housing Central Australia is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation providing social and affordable housing plus tenancy management across Alice Springs Town Camps and specialist programs, serving Indigenous households in remote Central Australia with NT and federal government funding.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Housing Services

NAICS

Other Residential Care Facilities (62399), Continuing Care Retirement Communities (623311), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412), Other Residential Care Facilities (623990)

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340), Services-Nursing & Personal Care Facilities (8050), Lessors Of Real Property, Nec (6519), Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552)

akta.pro primary industry

Rental / Fee-for-Service CCRCs (HLADAEAB)

Keywords

• Community housing services
• Affordable housing provision
• Tenancy management services
• Social housing programs
• Aboriginal housing support

Headquarters

HQ city

Alice Springs

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Social Housing Management: CHCA manages social housing properties transferred from the NT Government, providing property and tenancy management functions. Revenue is derived from government funding arrangements and tenant rent contributions.
2. Affordable Housing Rent: Affordable housing properties charge rent at 75% of market value. Tenants must meet eligibility criteria including employment requirements and income limits.
3. Seniors Housing: Seniors pay 25% of their income plus 100% of Commonwealth Rent Assistance for housing units dedicated to low to moderate income seniors.
4. Government Project Funding: CHCA receives direct project funding from government sources including the Social Housing Accelerator Payment (SHAP) for development of new social housing properties.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CHCA is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation that provides affordable, social, and supported housing in Central Australia, including tenancy and property management for Town Camps, affordable and seniors rental housing, transitional accommodation, and specialised supported housing for renal patients and people with mental health issues. The organisation also develops new affordable housing stock and partners with NT and Australian Government agencies on housing policy and program delivery.

Product overview

Community Housing Central Australia (CHCA) is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation providing housing services primarily in Alice Springs. The organisation operates a portfolio of housing programs delivered as distinct but interconnected services: the core Community Housing portfolio managing affordable, seniors, and supported housing properties; the Town Camps Tenancy Management program handling 296 homes across 16 Town Camps; the My Place Program offering private rental support and subsidies; the Apmere Urtle Transitional Housing Program with 20 units; and specialized programs including Renal Accommodation and MHACA Housing. The organisation also develops new housing through projects like the award-winning Bloomfield Street Development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Community Housing Core affordable, seniors, and supported housing property management services including tenancy management, repairs and maintenance for urban community housing properties in Alice Springs.
• Town Camps Tenancy Management Tenancy management services for 296 homes across 16 Alice Springs Town Camps under contract with the NT Government Department of Housing and Community Development, covering rent management, inspections, and repairs and maintenance.
• My Place Program Homelessness prevention program providing subsidised transitional housing in the private rental market, tenancy education, and coordinated support through rent subsidies for up to 33 properties and private rental brokerage services.
• Transitional Housing Program 'Apmere Urtle' Supported accommodation program at 34 South Terrace offering 20 self-contained units (11 two-bedroom, 9 one-bedroom) to parents with young children and older single women, with 12-24 month transitional housing and on-site case management.
• Bloomfield Street Development Multi-stage affordable housing development in Gillen with 17 total properties including 1, 2, and 3 bedroom townhouses for working Aboriginal peoples and families; 15 properties under National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS). Winner of Australasian Housing Institute Award for Leading Housing Development Project.
• Seniors Housing Housing for seniors aged 50+ (Indigenous) or 55+ (non-Indigenous) on low to moderate incomes at 70 Dixon Road and Elliott Street, with 1 and 2 bedroom units through headleasing partnerships with the Department of Housing; rent at 25% of income plus 100% Commonwealth Rent Assistance.
• Renal Accommodation Program 33 three-bedroom houses dedicated to end-stage renal patients and their families, with the NT Department of Health nominating clients into the program.
• MHACA Housing Program Tenancy management for 6 units offered to people living with mental health issues through a management partnership with the Mental Health Association of Central Australia (MHACA), which nominates clients into the program.
• Private Rental Liaison Program Assists households to find suitable and affordable accommodation in the private rental market by establishing rental budgets, coordinating property inspections, advocating with agents, and assisting with bond applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Tenant satisfaction exceeded NRSCH thresholds by 19 percentage points (94% overall satisfaction, 91% repairs/maintenance satisfaction, 94% condition of home satisfaction)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Tangentyere CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding member and key strategic partner. Tangentyere Council's Executive Committee (made up by 16 Town Camp Presidents) appoints five Directors to CHCA's Board. CHCA and Tangentyere share a common vision for Town Camps development and work jointly on the proposed integrated community control model for Town Camps housing.
• Central Land CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrdinary member of CHCA company structure. CLC has been involved in land rights and legal services for Aboriginal people in Central Australia since 1986.
• Healthabitat LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany member. Works with CHCA on the 'Maintaining Homes for Better Health' (MHBH) project based on Healthabitat's '9 Healthy Living Practices' methodology.
• Purple HousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany member. Purple House CEO Sarah Brown AM serves on CHCA Board. Purple House provides dialysis services and works with CHCA on renal patient housing.
• MLCS CorporatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCompany member. MLCS Director Peter Marin serves on CHCA Board as Independent Director.
• SGCH (St George Community Housing)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNSW's largest community housing provider managing 6000+ homes. Exchange Partnership program where teams from both organisations visit to experience housing provision in different contexts. Partnership won 2019 Leading Innovation Award in the NT.
• Tangentyere ConstructionsmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvides Housing Maintenance Officer services for Town Camps. Part of Tangentyere Council's social enterprises.
• Mission AustraliamajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOffers support under the Tenancy Support Program for Town Camps residents.
• Anglicare NTmajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerOffers support under the Tenancy Support Program for Town Camps residents.
• Women's Safety Services Central AustraliamajorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPartner in My Place Program delivering services to people experiencing homelessness with focus on those escaping domestic and family violence.
• Mental Health Association of Central Australia (MHACA)majorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCHCA provides tenancy management for 6 units offered to people living with mental health issues. MHACA nominates clients into the program.
• Northern Territory Government - Department of HousingcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrimary government partner. Transferred management of 100 public housing properties to CHCA (October 2024). Contracted by Department of Housing and Community Development for Town Camp tenancy management services. Provides SHAP funding ($12.5M allocated to community housing providers).
• NT Department of HealthmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNominates end-stage renal patients into CHCA's Renal Accommodation program (33 three-bedroom houses).
• Various Real Estate AgentsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal real estate agents work with My Place Program to assist participants find affordable private rental accommodation.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• SGCH (St George Community Housing): NSW's largest community housing provider managing 6000+ homes. Named as CHCA's Exchange Partnership program partner (2019), indicating directly comparable operations in tenancy management, affordable housing, and community housing provision for diverse populations.
• Housing Choices Australia: National community housing provider operating across multiple states. Offers comparable mix of affordable housing, social housing tenancy management, and supported housing programs for vulnerable populations.
• Aboriginal Community Housing Limited (ACHL): Aboriginal community-controlled housing provider in NSW/QLD with similar ACCO governance model and mandate to deliver culturally appropriate housing for Aboriginal people. Most direct comparable peer given shared Aboriginal community-controlled structure.
• Bridge Housing: NSW-based community housing provider managing thousands of social and affordable homes. Comparable in operating model: community housing provider delivering tenancy management, affordable rentals, and housing development.
• Haven; Home, Safe: Victorian community housing provider previously led by CHCA CEO Ken Marchingo AM. Provides social and affordable housing, homelessness services, and disability accommodation. Directly comparable business model of community-managed social housing portfolios.
• Aboriginal Housing Victoria: Aboriginal community housing organization in Victoria providing similar social and affordable housing services to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Comparable ACCO-style governance and culturally appropriate service delivery model.

Others

• Tangentyere Council: Founding member of CHCA and key Aboriginal community-controlled organization in Alice Springs. Operates related social enterprises including Tangentyere Constructions (housing maintenance for Town Camps). Shares vision for Town Camp community control with CHCA.
• Anglicare NT: Northern Territory welfare and housing support agency that partners with CHCA on Town Camp Tenancy Support Program. Adjacent player providing related housing and homelessness services in NT.
• Mission Australia: Major Australian homelessness and social services organization that is a CHCA Tenancy Support Program partner. Comparable in providing homelessness and housing support services, though operates more broadly across welfare and employment.
• NT Shelter: NT peak body for housing and homelessness services. Listed as CHCA partner; comparable in operating within NT housing ecosystem though focused on advocacy and policy rather than direct housing provision.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/central-australian-affordable-housing-company-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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