PhD students Harry and Erin never expected to buy a modern, eco-friendly apartment near the CBD – until they found out about SA’s affordable housing options.
Harry and Erin are both 24, doing PhDs, and still a bit surprised they’ve just bought a brand-new apartment a 10-minute bike ride from the city.
“Opportunities for first-home buyers, especially PhD students, are usually limited to fixer-uppers far from the CBD,” Harry says. “Being able to buy a modern, environmentally conscious apartment in such a central location almost felt too good to be true.”
But they did it. The couple is about to move into a two-bedroom place at Renewal SA’s Bowden community, in the new Uniting on Second development – a UnitingSA affordable housing project designed for people on low-to-moderate incomes.
They snapped up their home through the state government’s HomeSeeker SA program and got a leg-up from HomeStart’s shared equity scheme, which helped make the price doable.
It means their first home isn’t a tired old place in need of renovation miles from the city – it’s an energy-efficient apartment with a rooftop garden and a balcony big enough for Erin’s dream veggie patch.
“This might sound lame but Erin is extremely excited about the spacious balcony. She has big plans for growing veggies and flowers,” Harry says.
They’re already regulars in the area and often catch up with friends who live nearby or head to their favourite food spots like Plant 4, Juan’s Torta Cantina and Lunar Landing. Erin loves that one for its “really cute desserts”.
Bowden’s alive: Why the suburb is so popular
It’s not surprising. With street art, night markets, live music, galleries, green spaces and some of Adelaide’s best small bars and cafés packed into one walkable neighbourhood, Bowden has become a go-to destination for young people looking for a fun, low-key night out – or a place to put down roots.
“We both work in the city, so our plan is to start riding our bikes to work once we’re living closer,” Harry says.
“As a backup, we’ll probably take the tram,” Erin adds.
Even better, three of their friends have bought into the same building, with others just around the corner.
“We’re really looking forward to living so close to our friends,” Harry says. “It’ll be easy to borrow a cup of sugar from a neighbour.”
All your questions answered: Affordable housing in SA
So how did two PhD students end up owning a brand-new apartment in one of Adelaide’s coolest neighbourhoods?
It’s all thanks to affordable housing – and a few state government-backed programs you might not know about.
What even is ‘affordable housing’?
It’s not public housing, and it’s not a gimmick.
In South Australia, affordable housing is designed to help people on low-to-moderate incomes buy or rent a home without having to spend more than 30 per cent of their income on housing costs.
That way, there’s still money left for essentials like food, bills, transport and – let’s be real – coffee.
These homes are newly built, smartly designed, and energy-efficient – perfect for people who want low maintenance, lower power bills, and a place that just works from day one.
And they’re in real neighbourhoods – like Bowden, Prospect, and Lightsview – with access to transport, shops, parks and everything you need to build a life.
Who can actually get one?
To be eligible to buy affordable housing through HomeSeeker SA, you must:
- Be 18+ and an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Live in South Australia and not already own property
- Intend to live in the home you buy (not rent it out)
- Have income and asset levels below set limits:
- Singles: income ≤ $115,000, assets ≤ $566,000
- Couples/families: income ≤ $150,000, assets ≤ $722,000.
If you meet the criteria, you can register, get pre-approved for finance, and start browsing listings.
What’s this ‘shared equity’ thing?
Shared equity is what helped Harry and Erin turn a “maybe one day” dream into their first home.
It works like this: instead of needing to borrow the full amount through a standard home loan, a lender like HomeStart can contribute a portion of the purchase price through their Shared Equity Option (up to a maximum of 25 per cent).
Their share is interest-free and you don’t need to make repayments, meaning your home loan repayments will be lower and you can get into the market sooner.
You still live in and enjoy the home like any other buyer.
For first-home buyers on modest incomes, shared equity can make home ownership surprisingly affordable – often with repayments similar to what you’d spend on rent (or even less).
Where can I find these homes?
The best place to start is the Homeseeker SA website, where you can:
- Check if you’re eligible
- Browse homes across metro and regional SA
- See pricing, floorplans, and location info
- Register interest directly from the site.
Thanks to state planning rules, at least 15 per cent of homes in all significant new developments must be affordable housing.
So whether you’re looking in the city or outer suburbs, it’s worth checking what’s available.
What if I’m not quite ready to buy?
There are other paths in.
The Rent-to-Buy program lets you rent a property at an affordable rate with the goal of eventually buying it.
It gives you time to build up savings and work towards a deposit – without losing your spot in the market.
You can also access financial coaching and housing advice through Housing SA if you need help making a plan.
What help is there beyond affordable housing?
If you’re a first-home buyer in South Australia, you may also be eligible for:
- No stamp duty on new homes (with no price cap)
- The First Home Owner Grant (up to $15,000)
- HomeStart’s other low-deposit and borrowing-boost loans
- Federal schemes like the First Home Guarantee, which lets you buy with just a 5 per cent deposit.
TL;DR: Can I actually do this?
If you’ve got a modest income, don’t currently own a property, and meet the eligibility criteria – then yes, it could absolutely be within reach.
Affordable housing in South Australia is designed to support people like you.
It’s about helping eligible buyers purchase quality homes in well-connected neighbourhoods – without needing a massive deposit or sky-high income.
Just ask Harry and Erin.
For more information on affordable housing, click here.
