It’s tough out there for South Aussie house hunters, especially if you don’t earn a ton of money and you’re looking for your first home. But in good news, a heap of cheaper housing options are set to hit the market.
The rising cost of living and ever-increasing house prices have moved the great Australian dream of home ownership beyond reach for many. To make things easier, the State Government is fast tracking a whole lot of affordable and social housing – both now and in the months and years to come.
We break down what’s being built and who’s eligible to apply for the more affordable housing options. But first up, these definitions will come in handy:
Exactly what is affordable housing?
- Can be rented through a community housing provider or purchased by eligible owner-occupiers.
- Under the SA Government’s affordable housing policy, a minimum of 15 per cent of dwellings in new significant developments should be affordable for home ownership or rental.
For purchase:
- Affordable homes are offered for sale for a fixed price to eligible buyers through the SA Government’s HomeSeeker SA website.
- Eligible buyers have priority access to these properties, that are priced below $417,000 (in Greater Adelaide), or up to $479,550 if they meet requirements for energy efficiency and proximity to public transport. In regional SA, price points of $339,000 or $389,850 apply.
- Higher priced properties are also available with shared equity, which can cover up to 25 per cent of the sale price.
- Affordable homes on HomeSeeker SA are only available to couples or families earning less than $130,000 per year and single people earning under $100,000 (before tax), and who meet the asset test and other eligibility requirements.
For rental:
- In South Australia, the rent must be capped at less than 75 per cent of market rent, to a qualifying renter.
And what’s social housing?
- Can be rented by people on low incomes (typically a pension), following a Housing Needs Assessment.
- Provided by the government and community sectors.
- Public housing is social housing owned by the State Government (the South Australian Housing Trust).
- Community housing is social housing owned by not-for-profit community housing providers.
- Rent is capped at 25 per cent of income.
Read the Greater Adelaide Regional Plan Discussion Paper to help form your vision and ideas for the future of Greater Adelaide – how we live, work and play. Have your say!
So what’s in the pipeline right now?
Prospect Corner
Work will start this year on the $80 million inner-city Prospect Corner development. The 2.36 hectare project will be a mix of 180 new townhouses and apartments, with open green spaces, a community garden, BBQ area, playground and active play spaces.
At least 27 of the 108 multi-storey townhouses for sale will be affordable, so that young families and singles can break into the property market. Subject to Commonwealth funding, 72 apartments will be delivered across two buildings, all of which will be affordable rentals delivered with the support of a Community Housing Provider.
To find out more and register your interest in purchasing the townhouses the development – click here.
New in the North
The construction of hundreds of new houses at Munno Para starts next year, following the recent release of 249 new allotments. On-site early works are set to commence this year.
Part of the Playford Alive community, 161 of the new allotments on newly released land along the Newton Boulevard extension will be sold at or below the affordable price point for land – $187,650 – to allow young families, single parents and key workers to break into the housing market.
Additionally, another 25 houses will be built as affordable rentals.
Find out more about buying or renting at Playford Alive here.
Big Plans for the West End Brewery site
The State Government has recently announced that it will purchase the former West End Brewery site at Thebarton. The master-planned redevelopment will include more than 1000 new homes, with at least 200 of them affordable.
Construction will start in 2025, with homes available for sale that same year and the first residents moving in by 2027.
The planned mixed-use precinct will be mostly housing, with some commercial, hospitality and retail opportunities as well. The site’s historic buildings will be preserved.
Forestville
The former Le Cornu site, which was purchased by the State Government in October 2020, is set to be transformed into a food-orientated retail and residential community complete with SA’s first rooftop urban farm.
Plans for the $250 million redevelopment of the long-dormant 3.6-hectare site will deliver one of the most innovative master plans created in Adelaide, and includes a total of 290 residential dwellings – 15 per cent of which will be affordable. It is expected to create 900 construction jobs.
Former Brompton Gasworks site
Renewal SA has held a long-term vision to see the former Brompton Gasworks site remediated and transformed into a vibrant, healthy and active area as part of the Bowden redevelopment.
You can read more about the vision here and register to receive updates on site progress and future sales at Brompton Gasworks.
Since launch, Bowden – the State Government’s first higher-density urban infill project – has become a multi-award-winning development that has set new standards for urban design that is truly people-focused. Better yet, it has created an estimated 1700 jobs – and 15 per cent of the development is affordable housing.
A whole list of affordable metro developments
The State Government is also putting forward other affordable and social housing developments across metro Adelaide for federal support now that the HAFF legislation has passed.
Projects that will be delivered:
- Noarlunga Downs (Goldsmith Dr) – 20 affordable rentals and 80 social houses as part of 600 new homes
- Adelaide (Franklin St) – 137 affordable studio, one and two-bedroom apartments – 51 for sale and 86 for rent
- Bowden (Second St) – 60 new affordable homes including 36 affordable rental apartments
- Bowden (Third St) – 60 new affordable rental apartments.
Inner-city apartments for domestic violence survivors
Meanwhile, construction began this month on 24 affordable inner-city rentals for women and their families impacted by family violence.
The $15.7 million apartment development for women and women-led families is the first in South Australia to be developed by feminist organisation YWCA Australia. It’s backed by the SA Housing Authority and a $5 million no-interest State Government loan.
Due for completion in 2025, the safe, secure and long-term one, two and three bedroom apartments on Hutt Street will also offer their tenants access to a range of relevant support services.
If you want to read more and have your say about how and where Adelaide’s housing will grow during the next 30 years, the State Government has released its Greater Adelaide Regional Plan Discussion Paper for feedback. Provide your feedback here.
What’s happening in regional SA?
The State Government established the Office for Regional Housing this year to work with councils, developers and employers in seeking to address housing shortages in regional South Australia.
Without suitable housing, it’s hard for small towns to attract the key workers they need to provide healthcare, education and other essential services to local residents.
The housing shortage also means that, in places where regional businesses are booming, more housing is needed for extra workers.
The Office for Regional Housing’s first project is its Regional Key Worker Housing Scheme which, in its pilot phase, will build 30 homes for police, teachers and healthcare professionals in Mt Gambier, the Riverland, the Copper Coast, Pt Augusta and Ceduna. If the pilot project is successful, the intention is to expand the scheme to include more regions and other industry sectors with a need for long-term access to worker accommodation.
The Office for Regional Housing is working with local communities in all regions of South Australia to better understand, assess and prioritise housing needs and to provide assistance to development opportunities. For example, the Office is working closely with the City of Whyalla, the Office for Hydrogen Power and other key stakeholders in the Upper Spencer Gulf to ensure that housing and worker accommodation is available to support major projects and the hydrogen industry.
Other tips for home seekers
The State Government’s plan to address the housing crisis also includes grants, the abolishment of stamp duty for eligible first homebuyers, land releases, and more support from HomeStart to help first home buyers. The plan also contains some financial relief for renters, and bans rent bidding.
We’ve got six tips for renters looking to buy a house here. And if you want to hear us talk more about the housing crisis, listen to our podcast here.
If you want even more of us in your ears, hear Matt, Anna and Tim argue over the age-old “build or buy” question:
Want to listen on another platform? Take your pick:
Apple Podcast
Spotify
Check if you’re eligible for affordable housing and browse available homes here.
Check if you’re eligible for public housing and register for housing here.
