$78m SA affordable housing project launched to accommodate hundreds of low-income earners

The launch of a new $78m affordable housing estate is aiming to ease rental crisis woes for hundreds of South Australians. See the plans.

Plans for the new Adelaide Workers' Homes residential estate in Richmond. Picture: Supplied

Rental relief for low to moderate income earners in South Australia is coming with a $78m residential estate, located on the city fringe, launching on Tuesday.

Not-for-profit organisation Adelaide Workers’ Homes is launching a 219-dwelling mixed-property residential estate for low-to-middle income earners in Richmond, and promises below-market rent.

The Bill Johnston Estate is a 19,500 sqm development comprising three-bedroom townhouses, studio, one and two-bedroom apartments located at Davenport Tce.

“The Bill Johnson Estate is more than a collection of affordable mixed properties,” Human Services Minister Nat Cook said.

Inclusivity and social interaction were at the heart of its design and what has been created is a community in the truest sense of the word.”

And 110 of the apartments have already been completed and are occupied, with work on the next stage of construction, comprising seven townhouses to begin in July.

Plans for the new Adelaide Workers' Homes residential estate in Richmond. Picture: Supplied

The project aims to provide rental relief, Adelaide Workers’ Homes chairman Rick Harley said.

“The pressures on Adelaide’s rental market right now are acute and for an increasing number of hardworking people, the need for relief is dire,” he said.

“Property developers can play a crucial role in strengthening South Australia’s social

fabric.”

Already within the estate, 38 one, two and three-bedroom apartments are being rented at less than $400 per week.

Construction of all the dwellings in the estate is set to be completed in 2028.

Adelaide Workers’ Homes was founded by prominent South Australian Sir Thomas Elder in 1898 as a not-for-profit organisation.

They currently own and operate more than 340 properties across metropolitan Adelaide, more than a third of which are offered to eligible applicants at least 25 per cent below market rental value.

And the not-for-profit plans to continue with affordable housing projects following the completion of the Bill Johnston Estate.

“We welcome collaboration with other builders and developers so we can share our knowledge to help them successfully navigate the planning, building, and delivery of affordable housing on their own future projects,” Mr Harley said.