Housing Australia co-funding helps deliver 40 new homes for Aboriginal Elders in South Australia
A new village designed specifically for Aboriginal Elders will be created in Adelaide, thanks to funding from the Federal and South Australian Governments.
The Aboriginal Elders Village in Bedford Park will comprise 40, one-bedroom homes, providing culturally appropriate independent living for Aboriginal Elders. The Village is near Warriparinga, a traditional ceremonial meeting place for Kaurna people, and adjoins the Living Kaurna Cultural Centre.
The Village will be owned by Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation (KYAC) and managed by Aboriginal Community Housing Ltd (ACHL). ACHL will oversee construction and provide tenancy management services.
Housing Australia has contributed a $3 million grant to the project; which is also supported by an Indigenous Land and Sea Council grant of $5,170,000 and land valued at $5,675,000, and a $4 million grant from the South Australian Government via the South Australian Housing Trust.
The Housing Australia funding is via the National Housing Infrastructure Facility Social and Affordable Housing (NHIF SAH). Construction is expected to commence in August 2024, with tenants moving in during 2026.
Federal Minister for Housing Julie Collins said: “These new homes underline the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to providing secure housing to more Australians.
“We’re proud to be working with partners on this important project for Aboriginal elders in South Australia.
“This is exactly what the Albanese Labor Government will achieve through our new historic investments in housing including the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund and $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator.”
Housing Australia CEO Nathan Dal Bon said: “We are delighted to facilitate delivery of this much-needed social housing for Aboriginal Elders in South Australia, in conjunction with the Indigenous Land and Sea Council and the State Government.
“It has been wonderful to collaborate to get this project off the ground, so that we can create more safe and secure homes for Indigenous Australians.”
The NHIF offers concessional loans and grants to help support critical housing enabling infrastructure.