First construction contracts awarded for the delivery of new SA homes

The first contracts to build up to 400 new public houses across South Australia have been awarded and executed, taking the $177.5 million Public Housing Investment Program a step closer to get more South Australians into a home. 

To date, about 200 parcels of land have been identified by the SA Housing Authority for this program. Works are also being fast tracked for the design, tendering and construction of these new dwellings. 

“We have wasted no time getting down to work to build these 400 new public houses as quickly as possible. 

“It is great we have already been able to identify 200 sites and we’ve already awarded contracts for more than 40 homes, with more on the way. 

“This will not only provide much-needed, safe, secure housing for vulnerable South Australians, but provide a further boost for our construction sector,” Premier Peter Malinauskas said. 

The current contracts signed are for the delivery of 44 homes across South Australian suburbs including Kilburn, Woodville Gardens, Parafield Gardens, Salisbury Downs, Elizabeth Park, Elizabeth East, Elizabeth South, Elizabeth Downs and Morphettville. 

More contracts are also set to be signed and awarded for the construction of a further 33 homes located across metropolitan Adelaide as well as regional locations in Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge and Mount Baker. 

In addition to the 400 new homes to be built, the South Australian Government is also committing to upgrading 350 vacant properties that need major upgrades as well as undertaking an intensive maintenance work on another 3,000 properties to help improve their condition. 

“It is our aim and the aim of the SA Housing Authority to ensure South Australians have safe and quality public housing options. 

“In a plus for the new tenants, these properties, along with all current and upcoming new builds are provided to Tesla for assessment to be part of the SA Virtual Powerplant. 

“All these houses are a mix of two, three and four-bedroom properties, with two-bedroom being the most common, as single tenant households are a large portion of existing Housing SA tenants and people registered for social housing,” Human Services Minister Nat Cook said. 

200 out of the 400 new homes to be built are going to be in Greater Adelaide, 150 in regional South Australia and 50 are going to be built for people experiencing homelessness. 

Source: Premier of South Australia – News; Government of South Australia – State Budget 2022-23