Property & Housing
This year we continued to grow our portfolio of affordable homes to support the needs of people across South Australia. We know there is a housing crisis Australia-wide and community housing forms an integral part of the solution. Being both a housing provider and community services provider, we are in the ideal position to provide a point of difference to the community as our tenants can access our wrap-around supports when needed.
Housing provides the foundation upon which people can build stable lives, but these additional supports are often essential to ensure people can maintain tenancies and ultimately, progress along the housing continuum. We look forward to continuing to develop a wide range of affordable, appropriate housing responses to meet the needs of South Australians.
Highlights
Homelessness response
We officially opened our Ferryden Park Community Housing development in September, in response to the needs of older women – the fastest growing homeless population in the country. The development is made up of eight safe and affordable houses for women aged 55 and over experiencing or at risk of homelessness. It also provides access to wrap-around supports to enhance tenants’ health and wellbeing.
Project
commended
Our community housing development in Kurralta Park was honoured in the 2021 Urban Development Institute of Australia Awards in October. The commendation for the project, which transformed a single 1930s property into nine two-storey townhouses, was testament to the importance of high quality community housing to support tenants’ needs.
Construction commences
Work commenced on our community housing development in Kidman Park in May, to support people in need of affordable housing in Adelaide’s west. The project includes five three-bedroom townhouses featuring a range of environmentally friendly features to keep energy costs low for tenants, including a 6.6kW solar system on each premises. Construction is anticipated to be complete in early 2023.
Tier 1 status
UnitingSA Housing attained Tier 1 status through Australia’s national regulatory system in March, reaffirming its position as a leading provider of community housing. This classification through the National Regulatory System for Community Housing demonstrates our commitment to delivering high-quality, affordable housing, and recognises our huge potential for growth.
On the horizon
Significant progress was made on plans for our newest community housing development in Prospect, with construction expected to commence in late 2022. The project will include 40 townhouses and apartments over four levels, centred around an internal courtyard to encourage interaction among residents.
Disability accommodation
UnitingSA Housing became a registered Specialist Disability Accommodation provider through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in March. This will allow us to diversify our housing portfolio to meet the needs of people living with disability.
Meaningful outcomes
Lyn is among the inaugural tenants of our new Ferryden Park Community Housing development, which caters for older women experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
“This place means something – it’s much better than couch surfing, going from place to place, just hoping that something comes up. This housing means I can move from insecurity to stability.”