Prospect development our largest ever

Works on UnitingSA’s largest community housing project in its 100-year history have begun and will include a mix of affordable, social and Specialist Disability Accommodation apartments.

UnitingSA marked the commencement of works on the project in January with a traditional smoking ceremony to cleanse the site and welcome its new purpose.

UnitingSA CEO Jenny Hall says the 40-unit project will provide much-needed homes for South Australians facing housing insecurity due to the state’s ongoing housing shortage.

“Instead of the six outdated properties that were on the land, the new development will provide more than

30 new affordable rental homes for people who really need them, with rent capped at 75 per cent of market value or 25 per cent of a tenant’s income,” Jenny says.

“It will provide a fresh new start for South Australian families, couples and singles who are on low incomes or receiving government income support, many of whom just can’t compete in today’s ultra-competitive rental market.

“The inclusion of two, high needs specialist disability apartments will also provide vital accommodation to this vulnerable group who find sourcing appropriate housing almost impossible.”

Seven three-bedroom townhouses included in the project will be sold privately to help fund the development,

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which is expected to be completed by mid-2024.

The Prospect project is the latest in a string of affordable housing developments by UnitingSA, including an award-winning community of eight two-bedroom dwellings which now provides safe, affordable accommodation for women aged 55 and over experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

A further small development of five, three-bedroom townhouses is currently under construction in Kidman Park and is expected to be completed in mid-2023 along with a number of other significant projects entering major planning phases.

Jenny says the new Prospect project would be solely funded by UnitingSA.

“While we’ve fully funded this project, we look forward to the opportunity to source more funding for our future projects through the National Housing Accord and the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund so more South Australians can have a secure roof over their heads.”

The development forms part of UnitingSA’s Community Housing portfolio which incorporates 600 properties spread right across the metropolitan area, as well as in a small number of regional centres.

Storm and her owner Dean are regular visitors to our team at the UnitingSA Family Centre on Dale Street, Port Adelaide.

Thanks to our pawsome supporters, Animal Rescue Cooperative (ARC) and Safe Pets Safe Families, Storm is able to take her pick of donated dog food and treats. Storm is always by Dean’s side. They go everywhere together in a specially built bike trailer. She provides Dean with unconditional love and is always there for him when times get tough.

It’s great to be able to provide support to both Dean and Storm and we couldn’t do it without the kind donations from ARC and Safe Pets Safe Families, and our regular donors.

To donate to support people in need, visit unitingsa.com.au/donate

“I did a lot of research and found out that unfortunately there are not many services for men and even less for fathers,” Fabio says.

“Then I started to think about what makes a good father. How can we give people the skills or the capacity to become a better person?”

Fabio enlisted the help of community leaders like Uncle Lewis O’Brien, who shared stories of parenting in Aboriginal culture, and international baseball player turned Youth Worker Tom Brice, who shared his own challenges of dealing with change.

“I realised that the best thing to do is put people together,” Fabio says.

“This is part of who we are. Our ancestors used to sit around the fire and talk.

Using connection to help men become great fathers was at the heart of a new program recently piloted by UnitingSA.

Dad Circle brought fathers and male carers from across Adelaide’s west together to socialise, connect and share parenting experiences in an informal, welcoming environment.