Ingenia Communities is “at the mercy” of builders it needs to tackle a home-building backlog in key locations such as Hervey Bay and the NSW mid-north coast to meet its promised 20-25 per cent growth in earnings before interest and tax for the year as a whole, chief executive Simon Owen has said.

The developer and operator of affordable housing communities for downsizing Baby Boomers said development income fell in the six months to December as it settled 139 new dwellings, but added that it would settle a further 316 homes in the half-year to June meet its reinstated guidance.