UnitingSA seeks approval for new housing in Bowden to aid women facing homelessness

UnitingSA is seeking development approval for a housing project to help vulnerable women.

A new development that would primarily house women facing homelessness has been proposed for Adelaide’s inner-west.

UnitingSA is currently seeking planning approval to build 48 social and affordable homes along Market Place and Gibson Street in Bowden.

The $25 million project would include 22 social and 12 affordable apartments and two specialist disability housing apartments that would be retained by UnitingSA Housing. Also, six townhouses that would be placed on the market and six social apartments that will be owned by SAHA.

The social housing would be built with the aim of helping women who are over the age of 55 and experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

An artist's impression of the proposed social and affordable development in Bowden. Picture: supplied.

UnitingSA chief executive Jenny Hall said women aged 55 and over are the fastest growing demographic of Australians facing homelessness.  

“We are seeing increasing numbers of older women present to our services under extreme housing stress,” she said.

“Women are particularly vulnerable to housing insecurity.

“They are more likely to have limited savings, superannuation and assets. If they experience a relationship breakdown or job loss it can compound their risk of homelessness.”

Ms Hall, who is a member of South Australia’s first Housing Security for Older Women Taskforce, said her organisation sees the impact the cost-of-living crisis and housing affordability is having on South Australians, who are increasingly seeking help from UnitingSA.

UnitingSA has seen calls to its homelessness and emergency relief services increase by nearly 60 per cent over the past two years.

The non-profit is partnering with Commonwealth and State Governments for the housing development.

Pitched as a mix of market sales, public housing and affordable rentals, the development will receive $7 million in Federal Social Housing Accelerator funding.

Ms Hall said the project would provide a net increase of both public and community housing.

Social housing currently sits on the 2,950 square metre site but it will be demolished to make way for the development.

“Social housing has a strong presence in this locality, albeit in dated buildings and which likely do not meet current energy efficiency standards,” the development application states.

Nine buildings will be demolished, according to the development application.

If approved, the development is expected to be complete by late 2026.