Tenders for over 160 public homes across South Australia released
A record call-out for builders to deliver the first real increase of public housing in a generation is underway, with tenders for 167 public homes released by the SA Housing Authority. These tenders worth between $50 million and $60 million are the largest released since the Authority was established in 2018 and are part of several build programs. All homes will be a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses and are being built across the metro and regional areas.
Suburbs include Morphett Vale, Blair Athol, Kilburn, Enfield, Ingle Farm, Parafield Gardens, Ferryden Park, Croydon Park, Evanston, Kurralta Park, Munno Para, Salisbury, Braham Lodge, Elizabeth North, Elizabeth Downs, Alberton Taperoo, Dover Gardens, Clovelly Park, Somerton Park, Croydon Park, Woodville North, Woodville South, Croydon Park, Prospect, Brompton, Kilburn, Blair Athol, Mile End, Rostrevor, Paralowie, Modbury North, Gilles Plains, Edwardstown, Seaford Rise, Park Holme and West Richmond.
Regional builds are occurring in Wallaroo, Moonta, Clare, Kadina, Whyalla Stuart, Whyalla Norrie and Mount Gambier.
Another 154 homes will be tendered and start construction over the coming year, with land already selected to ensure the homes are built as quickly as possible.
The SA Housing Authority is building more than 1,000 new homes over four years under its ongoing capital programs and additional investment from State Government. This number will grow further after South Australia secured another $135.8 million from the Commonwealth for social housing and the first round of applications of the Commonwealth’s $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund are now open.
Community Batteries to empower residents
Magill and Edwardstown tenants will benefit from lower power prices under a new community battery program. Funded by a $1 million grant through the Commonwealth’s $200m Community Batteries for Household Solar initiative, this program will service 600 low-income and vulnerable households, including SA Housing Authority tenants. The emPowering Magill and emPowering Edwardstown community batteries will lower annual electricity bills for eligible participants by as much as $562 a year. Housing SA tenants living near the community batteries will be invited to voluntarily join the SA Virtual Power Plant (SA VPP) scheme. Upon joining they will sign up with Energy Locals, an Australian-owned electricity retailer. Construction on both sites is expected to commence in the first half of this year.
The batteries will also contribute to lower emissions, support future solar installations and help stabilise the electricity grid by absorbing excess energy
SA Housing wins the Premier's Excellence Award
Phil Hespe from the Aboriginal and Remote Housing team won the Premier's Excellence Award.
It was an individual award for Service Excellence for his exemplary work.
As a Senior Project Co-ordinator for 18 years, Phil is well-known to many in the Authority and throughout the APY Lands in our state’s far North as an expert in this field.
Join us in congratulating, Phil!
Meet Mark
49-year-old SA Housing Authority tenant Mark has had a tough life, but thanks to the support he’s received from the Authority’s Housing for Health program and from other organisations.
Mark is rebuilding his life and is even helping to maintain some of the Authority’s public housing properties in Whyalla.
A helping hand
As a helping hand for new arrivals fleeing international conflict, the South Australian government recently announced a comprehensive package. The package will support families with needs in education, housing, health and medical care, transport, food vouchers, and other essentials.
More public housing residents to benefit from Port Pirie lead abatement program
A clean-up program to deliver public housing residents in Port Pirie a healthier home environment has been expanded, helping more families to reduce lead exposure. Improvements to 49 properties – six more than originally planned – are being carried out and aims to minimise dust entry into homes where children under five live, ensuring safer homes and yards to live and play.
Work includes sealing windows and door gaps, covering bare dirt yards with suitable material such as garden mulch and gravel, installing undercover play areas with synthetic turf, and improving stormwater drainage.
36 SA Housing Authority homes have been upgraded under the $2.5 million program so far, with all 49 homes expected to be completed by July 2024.
