25 September 2023

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.

It is anticipated that we will look to progress projects that increase the supply of public housing through new construction and refurbishments, as well as social housing more broadly through new community housing projects. Further to this, we have already worked with the key government Ministers and State agencies to brief the sector and refine the procurement principles and key considerations, with a fundamental focus on ensuring projects respond to the known social housing customer needs. A Capital Grants program was released last week.

Supporting the development of additional social and affordable housing is a core part of who we are, with additional housing options greatly needed to support those in our community who need to access housing services most. With significant expertise in this area, we will also be supporting the development of social housing such as that proposed at Lot 6005 at Bowden and the ‘State’s Direct Delivery Affordable Housing Projects’.

These projects will help to build social and affordable housing supply momentum while the Commonwealth finalises the details of their investment program in community housing providers in the future through the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) and the Housing Accord. The HAFF is a $10 billion statutory fund with an aim to generate returns from investments to fund the construction of 20,000 social and 10,000 affordable homes nationally within the next five years. The legislation to establish the HAFF passed both houses of Parliament in September 2023, and the Commonwealth has requested that States to put forward projects for support. Additionally, the Housing Accord will provide 20,000 affordable outcomes nationally, and we will support the growth of a strong community housing sector that can service the diverse needs of South Australians.

We’ve set up a project team to deliver this work, and I’ll keep you updated as these initiatives progress, as well as our commitment to the Public Housing Improvement Program, which continues to progress at pace.