Message from our new Chief Executive
I am incredibly pleased to join the team as the new Chief Executive of the SA Housing Trust. The work we do is vital to many South Australians, and I am eager to learn more about the contributions of our partners and to work together to make a meaningful difference in the lives of those who rely on our services. I am also keen to genuinely listen to our customers to ensure our services meet, and ideally exceed, their expectations.
A bit about me - I’ve spent the past 18 years working in the South Australian public sector, most recently as the CEO of Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). My career has included leadership roles in Treasury, Health, Courts Administration, and Trade and Investment. Prior to these positions, I started out as a podiatrist before moving into academia and then public health leadership.
In the coming weeks, I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible to hear your insights, and discuss the opportunities ahead for us all. As you'll read in this edition of News we are forging ahead in developing property, turning around vacant homes, and enhancing our allocations processes.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank David Reynolds for his work over the past 10 months. I look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, while maintaining the direction he has set during his time as Chief Executive of both the Trust and the Department.
Julie-Anne Burgess
Chief Executive, SA Housing Trust
A new doorway to home ownership
A new doorway has opened for renters who want to buy their own home under the SA Housing Trust’s new Rent to Buy Program. 125 homes will be constructed as part of the Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) into dynamic rent-to-buy opportunities.
Under the program, 125 eligible renters will be able to rent a new property built by the Trust for two years at an affordable rent before they purchase the property.
An affordable rent means renters will pay a reduced rent at 75% of the market rate for a property, meaning they can save up for a deposit on the home they are already renting. The program boosts renters’ saving capacity, helping them out of the rental cycle and into owning their own home.
At the end of two years, renters have the first option to buy the home. Financing can be secured through government backed lender, HomeStart Finance.
Land package for Noarlunga
We will be building 80 new public housing homes in Adelaide’s South after the state government confirmed a new 22-hectare housing development in Noarlunga Downs.
The 626-home master-planned estate will be located over two parcels of land on both the east and west of Lovelock Drive in Noarlunga Downs.
The first sales release on this mixed development is planned for the western side of the development, with civil works already underway under an agreement with Winslow worth up to $35 million. This will pave the way for construction of the first homes to start later this year. The master plan, managed by Renewal SA, prioritises enhanced connectivity and accessibility to nearby infrastructure and services, while featuring 12.5 per cent public open space and extensive tree canopy. The project scheduled for completion in 2031.
Improving access to homes: The Trust's New Vacancy Program
The Trust’s new Vacancy Program is designed to get homes ready for tenants faster and more efficiently helping more people move into safe, clean, and well maintained properties sooner.
By streamlining operational processes and targeting key pressure points, the program aims to reduce delays and improve the tenant experience through several key initiatives.
- Early Tenant Access: Essential repairs and cleaning are prioritised, so properties are safe, functional, and ready for tenants to move into. Minor maintenance may still be required after move in, but the home will meet core standards from day one.
- Rapid Vacancies: Vacant homes are grouped by location, allowing contractors to work more efficiently and speeding up the process of preparing properties for new tenants.
- Panel Builder: Properties requiring significant work - such as fire or termite damage, are now managed through an expanded builder panel, enabling faster assessment and completion of major refurbishments.
- Increasing Capacity of Allocations: Internal systems and staffing have been strengthened to speed up the allocation process. This includes:
- Increasing specialised allocation staff
- Streamlining allocation workflows for quicker responses
- Introducing advanced forecasting tools to match homes with applicants more effectively
First set of social homes delivered at Oaklands Green
The first of 255 social homes were delivered recently at Oaklands Green, the largest social housing regeneration project undertaken in South Australia in decades.
Tenants have moved into 13 of the Trust-owned social homes as part of the first stage of the development, with many to be constructed over the coming years. Our community housing partner Junction, will manage these homes which will feature a blend of apartments and detached dwellings to suit a wider range of tenants.
Altogether, over 800 homes are planned, which will also feature new green spaces and improved access to local shops and public transport. The project is a partnership between SA Housing Trust, Junction and Housing Renewal Australia.
SA Housing Trust wins Climate Council Choice Awards
SA Housing Trust's Virtual Power Plant (VPP) project recently won the Climate Council Choice award.
The award program selected 11 incredible renewable energy and storage projects that give back to communities across the country in a meaningful way.
These renewable power projects are creating new job pathways for Australians, lowering people’s power bills, empowering First Nations communities, and revitalising essential community infrastructure and services.
The VPP project won the award in the 'Energy Equity' category. The VPP is leading the way to show how governments can help lower power bills for people who are living in social housing.
At the same time, the project helps provide clean power to the community and strengthens the energy grid.
Delivering affordable home ownership in Woodville Park
The Trust, through the Affordable Housing Initiative, is developing 14 new affordable homes at 651–653 Port Road, Woodville Park. These homes are being constructed by Bradford Projects by Scott Salisbury. This new community forms a key part of our ongoing efforts to increase access to affordable home ownership for more South Australians. The Affordable Housing Initiative is a strategic response to housing affordability, supporting eligible buyers to enter the property market through thoughtfully designed well-located homes throughout Adelaide.
With more projects underway, the Affordable Housing Initiative is helping individuals and families enter the market in a highly competitive housing market.
Beautiful Community Garden by Tenants in Morgan
Select image to watch YouTube video - Our tenants maintaining their Trust garden in Morgan
Many of our tenants work hard to maintain their yards, but Wayne and his neighbours have created something special.
Over the years, they’ve collaborated to design a beautiful garden space at their SA Housing Trust property in Morgan. The garden features a wide variety of plants and provides shelter for native wildlife. Its stunning design has caught the attention of others in the community, who have also contributed to its development.
Suraya Naidoo, Director - Customer Operations, SA Housing Trust, along with the Berri team recently visited this property and presented certificates of appreciation to the tenants for their commendable work.
Purpose-built homes with Access to Place Housing
We are building homes designed to support South Australians living with disabilities. These homes are built through our partners at Access 2 Place Housing, with our support.
Regional investment keeps delivering
We’re investing in homes across country South Australia, with 10 new homes soon to be complete on the Copper Coast and several in Port Augusta.
U-Panels speed up constuction time
Select image to watch YouTube video - Public Housing homes built with U-Panels
We trialled U-Panels, a new technology, to speed up the construction of walls by four times than traditional bricklaying in our new public houses. This requires minimal labour and equipment to assemble. This modular concrete walling system is locally manufactured and is made from 55% coal ash, a by-product of coal fired power stations.
In addition to being a faster and more cost-effective building solution, U-Panel walls offer increased resistance to fire, termites, and electrical hazards, as well as a reduction in waste and the carbon footprint. U-Panels can be assembled in any weather conditions.
We’re currently building four new homes in Mile End with local SA builder Astel Homes. These stunning public homes were built fast and will soon provide modern, accessible housing for eligible South Australians.
Energy upgrade for public housing homes
Marion, one of our tenant, and her fur baby Phoebe (the cat in the picture) are all smiles after receiving upgrades to her home though the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI).
She’s one of the first to have the appliances in her SA Housing Trust home upgraded from gas to electric, including a new hot water service and cooktop. More energy efficient lighting and windows have also been installed as part of the upgrade.
SHEPI is upgrading social housing properties nationally, including 4000 homes in South Australia, increasing their energy efficiency and aiming to reduce energy bills for tenants.
The program is federally funded and state delivered; to-date we’ve upgraded around 200 homes. Tenants at eligible properties will be contacted.
Strengthening our trades - Employment Pathways Program
The SA Housing Trust’s Employment Pathways Program creates valuable apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities, helping individuals secure employment through our contracted builders. By empowering and upskilling jobseekers, the program addresses critical trade skill shortages in the construction industry.
We integrate employment and training requirements into contracts with Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI) builder partners such as Fairmont, Metricon, Rivergum Homes, and Bradford Projects by Scott Salisbury Group. This strengthens the pipeline of qualified workers needed to deliver affordable and public housing across the state. Our builders partner with the Employment Pathways Program to attract new trade apprentices through industry immersion activities in high schools as well.
AHI has committed to supporting 54 apprentices across various trades, including carpentry, electrical work, plumbing, bricklaying, painting, plastering, and tiling. This includes two SA Housing Trust tenants, four females, 15 mature-age apprentices, and four First Nations people.
Aboriginal Staff Forum in Port Augusta - a gathering of Culture and Connection
Our Aboriginal staff from across our offices gathered in Port Augusta on Barngarla and Nukunu Country for the annual Aboriginal Staff Forum.
Over the course of the program, staff engaged in cultural practices, toured local Aboriginal transitional accommodation, and learned about the significant work being done to support Aboriginal people across the Trust and the broader community.
The Forum provided a valuable opportunity for connection and learning, reinforcing the Trust’s commitment to reconciliation.
