Federal government’s $135m Social Housing Accelerator boost for 350 social homes in SA

A mega cash injection to house more than 700 South Australians has been revealed, starting with 50 affordable apartments in the south. See the full list of projects.

More than 350 new social homes are set to be built across SA as part of a $135 million federal cash injection, with 50 new affordable apartments to be built in a new southern suburbs community hub.

Social enterprise Junction, with the help of $15.2 million in government funding, will develop the apartments in the heart of Tonsley’s Innovation District, alongside a new community and service centre.

The project will also feature large community spaces, a co-working area, a community cafe and a bike hub.

Junction CEO Maria Palumbo said the development would provide much-needed homes and security for South Australians amid the growing housing crisis.

“We know that, to live a good life, you need safe and secure housing – it’s the springboard for everything else,” Ms Palumbo said.

“This development will enable South Australians of different ages – who are at different stages in their lives – to access secure and affordable housing alongside support services within in a connected community.”

More than 50 affordable apartments will be built by social enterprise Junction at the Tonsley innovation precinct. Picture: Junction

The project is part of a $135m federal funding boost. Picture: Junction

Schiavello, a national builder prominent in Adelaide and Melbourne, will lead the construction at the south-west corner of the Main Assembly Building which is expected to be completed by October 2025.

The new building will include an office and 50 apartments which will be made up of eight studios, three disability compliant apartments, 17 one-bedroom apartments and 22 two-bedroom apartments across seven levels.

As part of a second stage of the project, Junction is planning to develop an additional 63 affordable apartments within an eight-storey building on the same site, with construction to begin in late-2024.

The long-awaited Boiler House microbrewery from Little Bang Brewing Company is due to be delivered by the Duxton Pubs Group in the area, and will have a bar, restaurant, café and bottle shop open seven days a week.

The project is one of more than 369 new and improved social homes set to be delivered as part of the federal government’s Social Housing Accelerator, in conjunction with a $60 million investment from community housing providers.

The projects will deliver specialist housing for some of those most in need, including low-income households, older women, people with a disability, women and children leaving domestic and family violence and the homeless.

A number of SA government-led projects will be delivered with the funding by the SA Housing Authority (SAHA), including new builds and dedicated Aboriginal housing.

It will also see two major SAHA properties at Glengowrie and Oaklands Park extensively refurbished to accommodate more than 200 people, as well as a range of new houses, apartments and modular homes.

Community Housing Ltd (CHL) will redevelop two of the state’s public housing sites in Prospect to provide homes for those escaping domestic violence — an group CHL SA state manager Cam Bryson said was critically in need.

Community Housing Ltd will develop 41 new units in Prospect to offer housing for older women experiencing homelessness and those escaping domestic violence. Picture: Community Housing Ltd

Recent crime statistics from SA Police indicate that 22 murders were reported across the state between April 2023 and March 2024, a 69 per cent increase on the year prior.

Police said domestic violence had been considered a significant factor in that surging figure.

Mr Bryson said the 41 housing units would offer women a safe and secure environment, giving them a fresh start and the stability they deserved.

Housing Minister Nick Champion said the concerted effort to build more homes for South Australians would help drive the state’s success.

“Housing security is a springboard for future success, (and) safe and secure public housing builds better communities,” he said.

See the full list of projects below.

COMMUNITY HOUSING PROJECTS

Junction at Tonsley Stage 1 – 50 dwellings funded – up to 73 people housed

Enables a further 63 affordable apartments in eight-storey building on the same site.

Multi-stage Thrive Precinct, studio, 1, 2 bedroom apartments, Junction offices

Women’s housing, disability, domestic and family violence, older women,

homelessness, young people

Junction, Tonsley

*Wirra Mikangka – 50 dwellings funded – at least 50 people housed

Enables a further 71 affordable and 30 market rental outcomes to be delivered

Two apartment building towers

Housing Choices SA, Eastwood

Uniting on Hawker – 24 dwellings – up to 36 people housed

A further 26 dwellings to be delivered – 14 affordable rentals, 6 market sales and 6

public housing

Townhouses for Older Women

Uniting SA, Brompton

143 Devonport – 21 dwellings funded – up to 29 people housed

Five storey apartment building

Domestic and family violence, older women

Community Housing Ltd, Prospect

35o South – 6 dwellings funding – up to 14 people housed

Two bedroom homes

Disability housing

Your Place Housing, O’Sullivan Beach and Klemzig

164 Churchill – 20 dwellings funded – up to 29 people housed

Five storey apartment building

Domestic and family violence, older women

Community Housing Ltd, Prospect

Uniting at Kidman Park – 6 dwellings funding – up to 20 people housed

Two and three bedroom homes

Family homes

Uniting SA, Kidman Park

*project subject to final approvals

NEW PUBLIC HOUSING

Seaton Public Housing – 22 dwellings, up to 44 people housed

New housing replacing old public homes, completed by end of 2026

Over 55’s, disability, singles, couples

Camden Park – 48 dwellings – up to 96 people housed

New housing replacing old public homes, completed by early 2027

SA Housing Authority, Camden Park

Ceduna Aboriginal Housing – 4 dwellings – up to 10 people housed

Two and three bedroom modular homes

Aboriginal tenants

SA Housing Authority/Renewal SA, Ceduna

REFURBISHED PUBLIC HOUSING

Glengowrie Court – 38 dwellings – up to 76 people housed

Refurbishing existing homes, completed by mid-2027

Singles and couples

SA Housing Authority, Glengowrie

Drew Court Public Housing – 80 dwellings – up to 128 people housed

Refurbishing existing homes, completed by the end of 2027

Singles and couples

SA Housing Authority, Oaklands Park