Bridge Housing Limited

Bridge Housing Limited is an Australian nonprofit community housing provider and registered charity based in Sydney. Established originally in 1984 as the South-West Inner Sydney Housing Cooperative (SWISH), the organisation evolved through mergers with other local housing associations and adopted the name Bridge Housing in 2009. It operates as a Tier 1 community housing provider, managing a large portfolio of properties to deliver affordable and social housing solutions across metropolitan Sydney[2].

Mission and Vision

Bridge Housing's mission is to improve people’s lives by providing more homes and quality services. Its vision is to be a dynamic organisation recognised for excellence in meeting housing needs, improving resident wellbeing, and governing responsibly. The organisation emphasizes values such as integrity, inclusion, and innovation in pursuing its goals[2].

Services and Impact

Bridge Housing provides housing primarily to very low to moderate income earners, facilitating access to crisis, long-term, temporary, social, and affordable housing options. It manages approximately 3,600 properties that house around 5,700 people across 20 local government areas within Sydney. The organisation also delivers support and wellbeing services tailored to tenant needs throughout their tenancy to promote stability and improve quality of life[1][2][3].

Community Engagement and Development

A significant ongoing project for Bridge Housing is the Redfern Place development, which aims to deliver over 350 social, affordable, and disability support housing units. This project also includes a new Bridge Housing head office, a community hub, and other community facilities designed to enhance neighbourhood wellbeing and inclusion[1].

Commitment to Reconciliation

Bridge Housing has articulated a commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2026 focuses on creating homes and community spaces that are culturally safe and welcoming. The organisation acknowledges the history and continuing impacts of dispossession and seeks to work collaboratively with Indigenous communities to address housing needs in culturally appropriate ways[1].

Governance and Status

Bridge Housing Limited holds charitable status with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission and possesses Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. It operates with a focus on ethical governance and maintains recognition as a leading community housing provider in New South Wales. The organisation actively participates in advocacy, including submissions on policy issues affecting the community housing sector[2][5].

This overview reflects Bridge Housing Limited's role as a key provider of affordable housing and tenant support services in Sydney, its community-oriented development initiatives, and its commitment to ethical governance and social inclusion.

[1] https://bridgehousing.org.au [2] https://bridgehousing.org.au/about-us/ [3] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/d272e4a8-38af-e811-a962-000d3ad24a0d [4] https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/d272e4a8-38af-e811-a962-000d3ad24a0d/documents/300e52b7-b4ad-ee11-a569-00224893cef4 [5] https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-06/PT51-I-Bridge-Housing-Limited.pdf