YWCA affordable apartment building on Hutt St prioritises women and kids fleeing domestic violence

An Adelaide CBD apartment building that has a completely different approach to its tenants has hit a major new milestone.

A seven-storey affordable apartment building in the CBD for women and their families fleeing domestic violence has hit a major construction milestone.

Offering 24 long-term rental apartments, the $15.7m building on Hutt St will become home to up to 57 residents – women and their families – who are otherwise priced out of the rental market.

The development includes one, two and three-bedroom apartments. Priority tenancy will be given to women-led families who have experienced domestic and family violence.

It is among the first developments of its size to long-term affordable rental housing specifically built for women-led families in the Adelaide CBD.

An artist impression of a $15.7m building on Hutt St in Adelaide's CBD developed by YWCA Australia. Picture: YWCA Australia

It will offer affordable rental apartments for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Picture: YWCA Australia

Developed by YWCA Australia – the country’s only specialist women’s housing provider – a topping-out ceremony was held on Thursday as the building reached its maximum 28m height.

To mark the milestone, a tree symbolising growth, strength and longevity of the

development’s construction and the community it will serve, was raised by crane to the top

floor.

It’s the first project of its kind being built by YWCA Australia in South Australia.

It said the national housing crisis was continuing to disproportionately affect single mothers and their children, particularly those impacted by domestic and family violence.

The development is being funded by YWCA Australia, with support from the state government through a $5m no-interest loan.

YWCA Australia CEO Michelle Phillips said too many women and gender-diverse people in SA were struggling to find a secure, affordable home that met their needs.

The topping-out ceremony of the $15.7m YWCA Australia's affordable apartment building in Hutt St.

“As a specialist women’s housing provider, it is fantastic to reach this milestone and to be one

step closer to delivering 24 new homes for women in Adelaide that need it most,” she said.

“YWCA Australia is committed to developing more housing in South Australia to meet this ongoing demand.”

Human Services Minister Nat Cook said the development would provide a safe and stable environment for women and their children to heal and recover from trauma.

“Without projects like this, vulnerable women may find themselves experiencing homelessness

or in unsafe situations.”