UnitingSA unveils new $15.9m community housing complex at Prospect

It’s the biggest housing project this charity has delivered, and now it’s opened for new residents to make their own community just north of the CBD.

UnitingSA opens $15.9m community housing project on the corner of Devonport St and Gurr St at Prospect. Picture: Supplied

A Prospect man who used to live in a caravan has found his forever home, within a new $15.9m community housing complex that’s brought a new feel to Adelaide’s inner north.

Roger Palmer, 73, was living in a caravan for two years, but now feels “safe and secure” inside his new home at Prospect.

“I happened to interview for this complex, went through the interview process and I was lucky enough to get it,” Mr Palmer said. “I’m home now, that’s how I feel”.

Mr Palmer was overjoyed when he finally moved in, after fearing “the price, costing, and expectations” for other rentals had become unattainable.

“You can’t have pictures on the wall. You just have a plain wall, that’s not a home,” he said.

“We could hardly wait to get in here. Now we’re here, we’re not going anywhere.

Roger Palmer at the new $15.9m housing development at Prospect. Picture: RoyVPhotography

“It’s peaceful, I just want to be peaceful. There’s too much awful stuff in the world, but here, it’s a good vibe.”

The housing complex, on the corner of Devonport Tce and Gurr St, officially opened on Wednesday replacing six older properties.

It boasts 21 affordable apartments, 10 social housing apartments, two specialist disability accommodation apartments, and seven townhouses.

The new apartments were built around an inside landscaped courtyard, so residents – who are on low to moderate incomes – can easily interact, connect and build their own unique community.

The project, Uniting on Devonport, is UnitingSA’s biggest community housing development with their chief executive officer Jenny Hall hoping it will help tackle the state’s housing shortage.

“Every day, across our homelessness, emergency relief and mental health services, we see how the housing shortage and lack of affordable rentals is pushing people to the brink,” Ms Hall said.

UnitingSA CEO Jenny Hall with new resident Roger Palmer. Pic: RoyVPhotography

The state-based non-for-profit organisation also provides wraparound services and mental health support, counselling and NDIS services for social housing tenants.

“We’re not just about constructing buildings – we’re very much about building communities where people can thrive,” Ms Hall said.

“We know that having a safe, secure home close to schools, transport and services is integral for individuals and families to build the foundations they need for a brighter future.”

In the past seven years, Uniting SA has brought to life nine building projects that have delivered more than 250 homes for South Australians with 975 properties currently under management or construction.

“The housing crisis is a community problem, and it takes a community to rally together to solve it,” Ms Hall said.