Public housing's first steps

Monday November 14, 2022

Published by: The Border Watch

By: Tyler Redway

A PUBLIC housing arrangement in Mount Gambier, labelled as a property of interest for repair by the State Government, was recently completed with renovation works and is currently ready to be tenanted.

This, accompanied by 59 other locations of interest and 16 new homes planned for construction in Mount Gambier, was a part of a statewide promise of 350 renovated homes, 400 brand-new homes and 3000 homes under maintenance across the state.

The repairs and construction works were f a part of a $177.5 million Public Housing Im- provement Program (PHIP) committed by the a State Government after the State Election.

 A spokesperson from SA Housing said the r total cost of upgrading the now finished prop erty was $81,249, with an additional four of the 350 PHIP houses in Mount Gambier also reaching completion.

ac.care chief executive Shane Maddocks said the Limestone Coast was in dire need of more social and affordable housing, as well as private rental properties.

A PUBLIC housing arrangement in Mount Gambier, labelled as a property of interest for repair by the State Government, was recently completed with renovation works and is currently ready to be tenanted.

This, accompanied by 59 other locations of interest and 16 new homes planned for construction in Mount Gambier, was a part of a statewide promise of 350 renovated homes, 400 brand-new homes and 3000 homes under maintenance across the state.

The repairs and construction works were a part of a $177.5 million Public Housing Improvement Program (PHIP) committed by the State Government after the State Election.

A spokesperson from SA Housing said the total cost of upgrading the now finished property was $81,249, with an additional four of the 350 PHIP houses in Mount Gambier also reaching completion.

"Property renovations are planned across the state over the next four years," the spokesperson stated.

Investigation and identification of a further PHIP 350 properties and PHIP 400 sites is ongoing, the spokesperson said.

"A tender process to build 10 of 16 new homes in Mount Gambier as part of the PHIP was recently conducted and an outcome will be announced soon, with construction to commence as soon as [it is] finalised." Minister for Human Services Nat Cook said it was the State Government's ambition to provide safe and secure housing for South Australian Housing Authority (SAHA) residents.

"While we are improving and providing homes for people in Mount Gambier, we are also supporting local businesses and trades people in this city, supporting jobs and livelihoods," Ms Cook said.

"It is our aim and the aim of the SA Housing Authority to ensure South Australians have safe and quality public housing options." ac.care chief executive Shane Maddocks said the Limestone Coast was in dire need of more social and affordable housing, as well as private rental properties.

"Any increase in the supply of social housing is desperately needed and will help people we are working with immediately once they become available," Mr Maddocks said.

"The sooner more properties come onto the market, the better it will be." Mr Maddocks added the region's shrinking private rental market and the significant increases to rent meant more affordable housing options were needed to meet the current demand.

"Public housing is provided to people on low incomes at affordable rates, capped at 25 per cent of their income," he said.

"We are certainly seeing the need for more housing options in other areas, such as Millicent, Naracoorte, Bordertown and Kingston.

"It's not just in the larger populations, but in the smaller communities as well." He mentioned additional affordable or social housing in these areas meant local residents would then have the opportunity to remain with the community they had always connected with.

"We encourage people who are experiencing financial stress, who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness to call ac.care on 1300 ACCARE (1300 222 273)."

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