Flourish Magazine - Winter 2024

PEPPERTREE PLACE…

UPDATE ON OUR INNOVATIVE SOLUTION TO EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION

While UnitingSA is committed to building more affordable homes in the long term, we are also acutely aware that we need more immediate solutions that answer the current housing crisis.

Today there are more and more South Australians finding themselves in extreme financial distress, homeless, and escaping domestic violence.

The number of nights desperate, homeless South Australians spend in emergency accommodation is growing every day, forcing many families to call motel rooms home.

Peppertree Place, supported by the South Australian Housing Authority (SAHA) and the Adelaide North West Homelessness Alliance (ANWHA), is providing an alternative accommodation solution.

One year into the two-year pilot project, we have successfully provided a secure home to 14 families and 30 children in crisis –almost halfway to the original goal of diverting up to 32 families from motels. The overall aim is to provide a more positive outcome for families and a public pocket saving of more than $500,000.

Many of the families have received positive rental references to support their future housing pathways.

Among the families who have lived at Peppertree Place, two have moved into private rental accommodation and three have moved into long-term community housing.

A mother and her teenage son who spent six months at Peppertree Place were able to secure finance to purchase a property with their extended family. It is now their forever home.

Peppertree Place is a community of eight self-contained units with fully equipped kitchens, private bathrooms, two bedrooms, a family living area and laundry facilities. Importantly, they also have access to the outdoors and plenty of space for children to run and play safely.

It gives families their own space to help them stabilise, retain dignity and prepare for long-term rental accommodation. Integral to the model is on-site case management provided by ANWHA. In addition, visiting community services provide wrap-around support focused on wellbeing, mental health and independent living skills.

Each unit is leased on a 12-week short-term arrangement, giving tenants the chance to establish a positive rental history which improves their ability to secure permanent housing in the future.

Human Services Minister Nat Cook is a strong advocate for innovative housing solutions and has been highly supportive of the project.