Message from our Chief Executive, Michael Buchan
2023 is moving by quickly, and there is a lot happening across the housing system and within the Authority. The allocation of Commonwealth funds for the Social Housing Accelerator Payment (SHAP) is progressing, and the State Cabinet approved funding last week.
This means we can now proceed to lodge an implementation plan with the Commonwealth detailing the mechanism through which the new social housing construction program will be selected and funded.
This provides an immediate opportunity to increase the much-needed social housing supply.
South Australian Housing Trust Board Meeting
The SA Housing Trust Board plays an important role in the governance of the Authority. Last month, as part of a commitment to exploring regions, our Board and Executive team travelled to Whyalla and Port Augusta to host their Board meeting. While there, they visited the regional offices for a roundtable discussion on the regions and some of the local assets in the area.
During the trip, they met Chief Executive Officer Lorraine Merrick of Pika Wiya Health Service, an Aboriginal Community-Controlled Health Organisation providing holistic and culturally appropriate health services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
They were also able to visit the Lakeview Transitional Accommodation Centre and meet the staff, residents, and our Department of Human Services partners.
SA Housing Authority's 'Quintus Place' project wins Building Excellence Awards
At the Master Builder Awards, SA Housing Authority's development, 'Quintus Place' won the Building Excellence Awards. Comprising of 19 affordable homes, it is built by the leading builder Bradford Projects by Scott Salisbury for the Authority.
These architecturally designed homes sold quickly from between $395,000 and $445,000 via HomeSeekerSA and are now home to South Australian families. The turnkey affordable product was mindfully planned to ensure each low- to moderate-income earner had on-going lower living costs by maximising the orientation of the site, ensuring 50% of the dwellings were highly energy efficient, scoring a minimum of a 7.4-star rating, and including prewiring for solar panels.
Homeshare by ShelterSA
Homeshare, a scheme where people who need a place to live are matched with people who have a spare room, was launched in the State in September. This is a partnership between Shelter SA, the St Vincent de Paul Society and Westcare Housing. Housing SA has not been involved, though will watch the outcomes carefully.
Most states have services like Homeshare, and this partnership is exploring bringing it to South Australia. Homeshare, an evidence based service developed by Homeshare Australia and New Zealand Alliance (HANZA) provides a service that safely matches people who have space to share with another person. We await the outcome with interest.
Our representation in NHHP's Public Consultation
The Australian Government, in collaboration with the state and territory governments, is developing the National Housing and Homelessness Plan (NHHP). The public consultation for South Australia took place in Port Adelaide and Adelaide city this month. The public consultation forums were an opportunity for people in the homelessness and public/social housing sectors in SA to get together to discuss the plan and share their thoughts. The Authority was well represented in both sessions.
What's Happening in the Housing Industry?
$10bn housing bill passes
The $10 billion housing Australia Future Fund has passed parliament. This will set in motion a significant pipeline of affordable and social housing projects in South Australia.
More affordable housing
Work began at the Prospect Corner development earlier this month. The project will include 55% affordable housing to get more South Australians into housing sooner and address the housing crisis.
More homes in Adelaide's North
249 new homes will be built along a newly extended Newton Boulevard, at Munno Para - with 65 per cent listed as affordable. Over 16.6 hectares of land is being unlocked to deliver this.
