UnitingSA’s property portfolio is on track to reach 550 houses for the first time following the successful transfer of homes from an inner-west housing cooperative.
The Hindmarsh Housing Cooperative has selected UnitingSA’s community housing division, UnitingSA Housing, to take on the role of managing 22 properties and tenancies in Bowden and Ridleyton.
The transfer supports UnitingSA’s vision to grow and revitalise its housing portfolio to ensure more South Australians have access to long-term, safe and affordable housing.
UnitingSA CEO Libby Craft says it is exciting to welcome a new group of residents into the organisation, which has been providing housing, community services and aged care to South Australians since 1919.
“Stable housing is fundamental for people’s wellbeing and provides the foundation on which they can build flourishing lives,” Ms Craft says.
“We are privileged to be able to provide affordable, appropriate housing for people right across South Australia.
“We are also in the position to provide additional wrap-around support to tenants through our diverse range of community services including financial counselling, employment assistance and mental health support.”
UnitingSA’s housing portfolio has grown significantly over the past 20 years owing to a number of new builds, mergers with smaller community housing providers and property transfers from housing cooperatives.
UnitingSA Housing Manager Con Hadjicostantis says having acquired 50 properties from six smaller housing providers in recent years, the organisation has gained valuable experience in how best to support tenants through the transition and beyond.
“Welcoming new tenants to the UnitingSA family is a highlight of our work and we are committed to making the transition as smooth as possible,” Mr Hadjicostantis says.
“We have had such great feedback from tenants who have joined us and really benefited from the extra support we can provide, both in housing and through our additional community services.
“Many of them have also reported feeling relief at the fact that all the maintenance, compliance, rent and tenancy issues are managed by someone else rather than being their responsibility as a housing cooperative member.”
The houses involved in the transfer are a mix of small cottages from the early 1900s and larger mud brick homes built in the mid-1990s.
In addition to the transfer, UnitingSA is in the process of building an additional nine townhouses in Kurralta Park and 17 retirement living apartments in West Lakes. These properties will bring the total number of houses managed by UnitingSA to 557.
To find out more about UnitingSA Housing, visit unitingsa.com.au/housing or phone 8440 2244.