Australia has 12 million empty bedrooms... So could this company crack the housing crisis code?

Affordable housing seems to be an elusive goal in Australia. However, Lifestyle Communities (ASX: LIC), which is celebrating its 21st birthday in 2024, might have just cracked the code. 

 

The company’s land rent model is spreading across Victoria at an ever-increasing rate. To date, more than 30 villages within driving distance of Melbourne have been built or are in the planning stage. In total, more than 5,700 homeowners have been accommodated with many more to come.

Lifestyle Communities started life modestly. At the helm was property veteran James Kelly ably assisted by his partners Bruce Carter and Dael Perlov. The company debuted on the ASX four years later, quietly backdooring into a listed cash box. Over the next 17 years, only the insiders and some unsuspecting investors have enjoyed the stunning 2,500% return. Today the company has a market value of $1.7 billion.

Like most successful businesses the original idea was a simple one. Make housing affordable for empty nesters in their late 50s and early 60s. Sell your home and move into a brand-new village nearby. Buy the home and rent the land, having enough capital left over to live a comfortable life.

"In Australia, every night, we have 12 million empty bedrooms, which speaks volumes to this empty nester challenge that Australia faces," Kelly says. "We should have a 'last home buyers' grant. We know that first-home buyers' grants typically go into the builder's pocket when the government hands those out when there's a downturn in housing. But a 'last home' buyers grant would actually encourage people to get out of their homes, downsize and free up housing stock for the next generation." 

Today, Kelly, at 64 years old, is a prime candidate to be a Lifestyle Communities customer. I get the feeling though that he is still happy to keep the accelerator to the floor. 

I first met James not long after the company listed on the ASX in 2006. He has always been an engaging, upbeat individual, defying the typecast property developer image. In this podcast, he takes investors through the journey, and shares what keeps him inspired after 21 years in the business. 

Note: This episode was recorded on Wednesday 28 February 2024. 

 

Timecodes: 

0:00 - Intro 

2:33 - From an idea in a cafe to a $1.8 billion company - coming up with the Lifestyle Communities concept 

5:36 - The transformation of the retirement industry 

7:17 - Early financing struggles and selling the concept 

11:28 - The intrinsic desire to be part of a community 

13:03 - James Kelly's upbringing, family life and first foray into property 

16:03 - The lasting impact and legacy of property investment and development 

17:14 - The key to successful property development 

19:04 - Experiences that created the leader James Kelly is today 

25:52 - The importance of pricing risk as a busy owner 

29:22 - The Lifestyle Communities model and its first development 

34:09 - Backdoor listing on the ASX

37:18 - Lifestyle's most recent capital raise and plans for the future

40:38 - The transformation of Lifestyle's share register 

41:56 - The opportunity in Generation X  

45:56 - Why leaders/managers should focus on being kind

47:46 - How to solve Australia's housing crisis  

50:32 - Why James Kelly won't be retiring any time soon