Hundreds of new homes to be built in South Australia with $135m federal funding

The Premier has weighed into a federal stand-off and thrown down the gauntlet to his state rivals as he prepares to reveal a multimillion-dollar housing scheme.

Hundreds of new homes to ease a critical housing supply shortage are likely to be built with South Australia’s $135.8m share of a newly created $2bn national program.

Premier Peter Malinauskas on Sunday will reveal about 300 to 400 homes are expected to be funded by the state’s slice of the Social Housing Accelerator program, which was agreed by national cabinet on Friday.

The money likely will be ploughed into a mix of public and affordable housing projects, although details are yet to be planned and decided.

The federal funding is in addition to a $474.7m housing package unveiled in Thursday’s state budget, which included abolishing stamp duty for an estimated 3800 first homebuyers annually, building an extra 564 public homes and accelerating the release of 25,000 blocks across Adelaide’s north and south.

Premier Peter Malinauskas at Findon Technical College’s building site. Image/Russell Millard Photography

Mr Malinauskas said his government was “pulling every lever it can to ease the housing crisis” and the $135m boost would “help us go even further, faster”.

Weighing into federal politics, Mr Malinauskas lent support to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s $10bn Housing Australia Future Fund – stalled in the Senate by the Greens – branding it “an even bigger opportunity to drive the improvements needed”.

Mr Malinauskas challenged his state rival, Opposition Leader David Speirs, to “show some leadership” and demand his federal Liberal colleagues “support this vital legislation”.

The Advertiser on Saturday revealed the $2bn federal social housing fund would bankroll states to speed up the creation of thousands of homes.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at a Brisbane construction site. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton addresses the Liberal Party Federal Council in Canberra on June 17. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Under the plan, states and territories have agreed to boost supply by unlocking land, rezoning and through other policy measures.

Mr Albanese on Saturday said the $2bn funds would be delivered within the next fortnight and would build thousands of social rental homes across the country.

“Every Australian deserves the security of a roof over their head, and my government is taking steps to deliver more homes around the country,” he said.

“I met with every premier and chief minister about this proposal yesterday, and we all agree securing more housing for more Australians is a key national priority.”

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, in a speech to the Liberal Party’s federal council, said young people’s increasing inability to buy their own homes was eroding faith in his party’s aspirational principles.

“But for so many – especially young Australians today – the once-attainable ambition of owning a home seems so much harder, if not impossible,” he said.