Brisbane Housing Company Ltd.

Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan 2015-2016

Our Vision for Reconciliation

As an industry leader and innovator within the field of creating thriving, diverse communities through affordable housing, Brisbane Housing Company acknowledges that further reflection and understanding is necessary to further develop our relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities. A vision of reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and the wider Australian community can only become secure through imaging actions and commitments that reflect a holistic and liveable future for both relationships.

Brisbane Housing Company’s RAP outlines a business plan that embraces a holistic approach to gain further understanding, build meaningful relationships, implement effective initiatives, and strengthen our commitment to improving opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Brisbane Housing Company has a commitment to completing the actions outlined in this document over the next 12 months to ensure we are well positioned to implement effective and mutually beneficial initiatives as part of future Reconciliation Action Plans. It is intended that future RAPs will identify opportunities to further develop relationships and actions specific to BHC’s business and sphere of influence.

This Reflect RAP will allow Brisbane Housing Company to focus on building relationships both internally and externally, and raise awareness with all stakeholders to ensure there is shared understanding and ownership of our RAP within our organisation. Development of future RAPs will involve consultation with staff across our organisation, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities and stakeholders to achieve our vision for reconciliation. 1

In the 2014 BHC Tenant Survey, of which there were 944 respondents, 57 (6%) tenants identified themselves as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.

BHC commits to introducing cultural identifiers within our Human Resources systems which measures staff members who are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander.

Our Business

Brisbane Housing Company (BHC) strives to be an industry leader in the innovation and quality of affordable, mixed tenure and mixed use developments within Australia. BHC’s mission is to “Create Liveable Communities”. Through its in-house development and housing management teams, BHC is committed to creating affordable and innovative housing which is both financially and socially sustainable. As an independent and social business, enhancing the lives of and options available to tenants and communities is at our core.

Since the organisation’s incorporation in 2002, BHC has developed more than 1500 homes in key growth locations. As Queensland’s largest wholly-owned and purpose-built affordable housing provider, BHC’s strong balance sheet and financial performance drives its mission to create more homes and liveable communities. Integrating a proactive and holistic approach supports BHC’s ability to set the benchmark in project development and property and tenancy management, and ensures a balance between affordability for tenants and financial viability as a social business.

BHC is a National Registration Scheme accredited Tier 1 community housing provider. The organisation has more than 50 staff with the majority based in central Brisbane, whilst others deliver services within local communities in Brisbane and Gladstone, Queensland. BHC’s geographic reach is Queensland focused. BHC retains ownership and management of the majority of the housing that it developes generating long-term interests in building supportive environments for communities.

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• Established a housing purchase grant scheme to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders seeking to enter into home ownership in Gladstone, and

• Developing accommodation specifically available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Gladstone.

Building on this work, it is proposed BHC undertakes a RAP with an initial emphasis on education and reflection. This will allow our organisation time to build understanding internally and relationships externally to guide future RAP commitments.

Our RAP will focus on listening and learning, rather than on developing actions, programs or targets without the right groundwork. Reconciliation Australia in its guidance states that “It’s important not to rush into ‘solutions’ before you really know what the issues are from the perspective of your organisation’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders.”

BHC has identified champions within the organisation for RAP.

These are:

• Rebecca Oelkers, Business Development Manager – RAP Working Group Lead

• RAP Working Group• Tenant consultancy group• Professor John McAuliffe, BHC Chairman – RAP Board

Champion

Our RAP

BHC’s Objects which are set out in the Company’s Constitution emphasise the goal to deliver housing for those on low incomes and in need. The Company through its Objects is charged (amongst other things) with providing a range of housing models and services to meet varying needs and those of the community generally. The organisation recognises its special obligation to be relevant to all Queensland communities and believes there is further work to be done with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

In pursuit of its goals, BHC has adopted a very practical approach characterised by limited emphasis aspirational statements or wide-ranging policy frameworks. This approach works well where BHC can and has delivered successful models that address relevant needs. At the same time such an approach can be considered incomplete where the issues are those of a cultural nature or the practical solutions prove elusive. Both these factors can be said to apply to the issues attaching to meeting the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

It is for these reasons that BHC has developed this Reconciliation Action Plan.

BHC’s RAP provides a context for the work already commenced in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders which includes:• 57 BHC tenants identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander,• Work with the Cape York Partnership to develop home

ownership options,

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The RAP Working Group has volunteer representatives from various areas of the organisation who meet on a monthly basis. These meetings are also open to the whole of staff, ensuring that all parts of the organisation can have input in to the RAP.

Members of the RAP Working Group include:

• Tenant Engagement Manager• Tenant Engagement Officer• Compliance and Audit Officer• Housing Manger• Business Development Project Officer• Development Liaison Manager• Business Development Project Manager• Account Supervisor• Allocations Team Officer• Business Development Manager• Tenancy Services Manager• Our partnerships/current activities:

• Community partnerships• Internal activities/initiatives

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Action Deliverable Timeline ResponsibilityEstablish a RAP Working Group

1. Form a RAP Working Group with membership which includes a wide range of staff representatives.

August 2015 RAP Working Group (with the authority of the BHC Board)

2. Hold monthly RAP Working Group meetings to develop and monitor progress of the RAP, which includes an open invitation sent to all staff.

Monthly from August 2015

RAP Working Group

Develop relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and organisations

3. Identify understandings of other housing organisations, link into established programs and learn from these (eg: Mission Australia).

Ongoing RAP Working Group

4. Identify specific indigenous organisations that provide support services which are beneficial to BHC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tenants and staff.

April 2016 Liam & Kerry

5. Make contact with organisations who have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients/tenants/members who may benefit from BHC’s services.

March 2016 Liam & New TEO

Participate in and celebrate specific First Nations People events

6. BHC to have a stall at NAIDOC week and encourage staff and tenants to attend the event held in Musgrave Park.

July 2016 Wendy & Andrea

7. Staff and tenant event to be held for World Indigenous People’s Day. August 2016

8. Discuss and plan BHC’s involvement in National Reconciliation Week (NRW).

27 May – 3 June 2016

Raise internal awareness of our RAP

9. Develop the Reconciliation Action Plan within the working group, BHC Board and achieve endorsement from Reconciliation Australia.

Develop by February 2016Endorsement by May 2016

10. Develop communication tools to use to give staff a reason “why” we are doing the RAP. Why this is important and a good idea for the organisation and for staff and tenants personally.

March 2016 Simona

Relationships

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11. Provide RAP update at monthly staff meetings and Senior Executive Team meetings.

Monthly - ongoing

12. Develop a company calendar that includes RAP events. April - May 2016 RAP working group - Simona & Hannah

13. Board Chair to give update of RAP progress to the Board on a quarterly basis.

Quarterly - ongoing

14. Indicate RAP members on the internal staff contacts. February 2015 Kerry (and Christelle)

15. RAP information provided as part of staff induction process (RAP working group and its aims)

January 2016 RAP working group- Andrea (and Christelle)

Provide access to information on community services available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

16. Provide information on specific organisations that provide support services which are beneficial to BHC tenants and staff.

March 2016 Liam & New TEO

17. Promote RAP in the Tenant Newsletter and website including ways tenants can get involved.

March 2016 Joe

18. Promote RAP and support/community organisations in tenant welcome packs.

March 2016 Christelle & Andrea

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Action Deliverable Timeline ResponsibilityInvestigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural learning and development.

19. Undertake a staff survey to understand current cultural awareness and evaluate after undertaking cultural awareness activities.

March 2016 RAP working group- Joe

20. As a result/in response to this information we amend the cultural awareness program to fill gaps in knowledge (show why this is important).

June 2016 RAP working group- Joe & Liam

Participate in and celebrate specific First Nations People events

As per deliverable 6. 7. and 8.

Raise internal understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural protocols.

21. Resources, plans and sessions for staff awareness and understanding, such as the meaning and significance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander protocols, including Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country. This will also entail the appropriate wording for use in supporting materials, tools and actions, including any local cultural protocols.

April 2016 RAP working group- Joe

Incorporate symbolism into internal and external communication resources.

22. Create email footer to display during NAIDOC week and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural events.

January 2016 RAP working group- Simona

23. Display cultural specific and identified art and symbols within the BHC office and local land owners in our residential properties.

Ongoing RAP working group- Hannah

Respect

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Action Deliverable Timeline ResponsibilityInvestigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment.

24. Seek opportunities in Human Resources procedures and policies to ensure access to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment is encouraged and incorporated into BHC’s recruitment processes.

April 2016 RAP working group- Andrea (Christelle)

25. Continue to capture data on current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees.

March 2016 RAP working group- Andrea (Christelle)

26. Investigate and report on workplace culture to identify supportive practices to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff. Implement a plan to amend internal processes if required.

May 2016 RAP working group- Andrea (Christelle)

27. Implement approaches to increase Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander employment within our organisation i.e. work experience, training and development opportunities.

April 2016 RAP working group- Andrea (Christelle)

Investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity.

28. Investigate strategies to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity, including developing a plan with a focus on how we can support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander business and procurement.

June 2016 RAP working group- Andrea (Assets)

29. Include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and perspectives in projects and materials i.e. brief and liaise with senior management to commission the identification of specific artwork for each development and office.

From June 2016 -Ongoing

RAP working group- Hannah (Greg)

Other opportunities actions related to our core business and vision for reconciliation.

30. Sustain BHC tenancies that are at risk by linking tenants and applicants to appropriate support services and agencies.

Ongoing RAP working group- Wendy (TBC)

31. Employment practices – encourage a and tsi applicants (specific HR practices).

April 2016 RAP working group- Andrea (Christelle)

32. Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership with opportunities for tenants to action Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country at BHC events.

February 2016 - Ongoing

Tenant Engagement Officer (TBC)

33. Evaluation to be undertaken throughout the year to prompt and support actions for subsequent BHC RAPs.

August 2016 RAP working group(Board)

Opportunities

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Action Deliverable Timeline ResponsibilityBuild support for the RAP

34. Define resource needs for RAP development and implementation. August 2015 RAP working group - Rebecca (BHC Board Approved RAP Budget)

35. Define systems and capability needs to track, measure and report on RAP activities.

From January 2016 RAP working group

36. Complete the annual RAP Impact Measurement Questionnaire and submit to Reconciliation Australia.

September 2016 RAP working group

Review and Refresh RAP 37. Review and refresh RAP based on learnings, challenges and achieve-ments.

September 2016 RAP working group

38. Submit draft RAP to Reconciliation Australia for formal review and endorsement.

April 2016 RAP working group

Tracking and Progress

Contact details (Include contact Details (job title, phone and email) for public enquiries about our RAP.)

Name:

Position:

Phone:

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