The Australian Government, under the leadership of the Albanese administration, has announced a significant initiative to address the housing needs in South Australia. Through the Social Housing Accelerator, a part of the $2 billion funding commitment, the government plans to construct at least 230 new homes for South Australians in need.
This initiative is a collaboration between the federal and state governments, with the South Australian Government receiving over $135 million from the Commonwealth. This funding is a substantial contribution towards delivering these additional homes, addressing the urgent housing crisis in the region.
The plan requires all Commonwealth funding allocated for these homes to be committed by South Australia by June 30, 2025. The release of the final implementation plans for the Social Housing Accelerator illustrates the number of homes that will be delivered across state and territory governments with the support of Commonwealth funding.
Federal Housing Minister Julie Collins highlighted the significance of this move.
‘We recognise Australia is facing housing challenges, which is why we’re taking immediate action with our $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator—including more than $135 million for South Australia.’ Collins also emphasised the impact of this funding, noting it will ensure more South Australians have access to safe and affordable housing.
The Social Housing Accelerator is part of a broader housing reform agenda by the Albanese Government, which includes the new $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund and a National Cabinet agreement to implement significant housing reforms. This agreement includes a new national target to build 1.2 million new well‑located homes, the National Planning Reform Blueprint, and A Better Deal for Renters.
Additionally, the Albanese Government committed an extra $3 billion to the New Homes Bonus, incentivising states and territories to undertake necessary reforms to reach the 1.2 million homes target. Furthermore, a new Housing Support Program will provide another $500 million to assist local, state and territory governments in delivering new housing supply in well-located areas.
Minister for Human Services Nat Cook expressed gratitude for this federal initiative.
‘This $135 million boost from the Commonwealth will help us go even further, and South Australia thanks the Prime Minister and Minister Collins for recognising the urgent need for more secure housing across the country’, says Cook.
‘South Australia’s Malinauskas Labor Government is pulling every lever it can to ease the housing crisis with initiatives such as cutting taxes for first home buyers, increasing the public housing supply for the first time in a generation and announcing the single largest land release in the state’s history.’
Cook also mentioned South Australia’s commitment of over $230 million for new and upgraded public housing, meaning more help for those in need.
This recent announcement is a significant step in addressing the housing challenges in South Australia, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the federal and state governments in providing secure and affordable housing.
