What is Community Housing?

Public housing is owned and managed by the State Government. Community housing is managed (and possibly owned) by not-for-profit organisations. Together, public and community housing is known as social housing.

Whilst both seek to accommodate those who are facing housing stress, community housing organisations can also specialise in assisting specific groups, such as those with a disability, the elderly, women, survivors of domestic violence, and people from non-English speaking backgrounds.

Community housing tenants are also eligible to receive Commonwealth Rental Assistance (CRA), whilst public housing tenants are not. This is reflective of the fact that public housing already benefits from State funding.

Community housing can play a range of roles in relieving people from housing stress. The core business of most community housing organisations is long-term housing.

This is rental housing that:

• Is offered to eligible low -income applicants
• Is at a rent which is within affordability benchmarks
• Offers the tenant security of tenure, so long as tenancy conditions are met.

Some community housing organisations can also provide:

• Crisis housing: temporary emergency accommodation for periods of around 14 days
• Transitional Housing: a stepping stone to long-term housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

Community housing organisations seek to provide housing that is well-integrated within the wider community and matched to tenant’s needs.

It may include:

• Freestanding houses and townhouses
• Apartments in multi-unit developments, including developments that mix private market and community housing
• Rooming house accommodation
• Accommodation linked to particular support programs

In addition to expanding the diversity and range of rental housing available to people on low incomes, community housing organisations also have a strong track record in:

• Tailoring housing and services to tenants’ needs
• Involving tenants in decisions that affect them
• Establishing strong links with local service providers to sustain tenancies
• Integrating housing within local communities

To be offered a tenancy in community housing, households must meet the SA government’s eligibility criteria. These are the same for both public housing and community housing and include income, asset and residency requirements.

Your Place Housing provides long-term secure housing for a diverse range of people on low to moderate incomes.

We offer a range of housing options including:

• General Community Housing
• Affordable Housing (NRAS)
• Supported Disability Housing
• Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA)

We provide housing to:

• People living with a disability
• The elderly
• People who are socially marginalised

We aim to meet the housing needs of a diverse range of tenants, some of whom require support to maintain a sustainable tenancy. We do this by working in partnership with your support provider.

In addition to a portfolio of houses for general tenants, YourPlace Housing has a focus on the provision of modified houses for people with disability.

A Single Housing Register has been established as the register for all people seeking community housing and public housing.

• You only need to complete one registration to apply for community housing, public & aboriginal housing.
• Registration forms can be accepted by a Community Housing Provider or by Housing SA.

To register you must provide:

• a completed register for housing form
• acceptable proof of income and proof of ID

Depending on your circumstances you may also need to provide:

• a Housing Needs Assessment Form completed by a suitable person
• any relevant documents to support your circumstances

Once your Registration form and supporting documents are received, if you are eligible, your details will be entered into the Single Housing Register (SHR).

You may also be asked to undertake a housing needs assessment if you have not already done so.

Once you are registered, your details are available to any housing provider in South Australia for which you meet their individual eligibility criteria. You may exclude particular providers from accessing your registration details should you wish to do so.

Based on the information you provide you will be assigned a category of housing need, category 1, 2 or 3, (with category 1 being those in greatest housing need who are homeless and at risk).

After registration, a confirmation letter will be sent to you, or your nominated contact or support worker confirming your customer number and housing need category.

You will be contacted if a suitable vacancy arises that matches your housing preference.

It is important that you keep your details up to date so you can be contacted if a property becomes available. Housing is in limited supply, so please ensure you keep exploring all housing options.

If your circumstances or contact details change after you have registered, it is your responsibility to let us know. Changes to your phone number and address can be done over the phone. Any other changes such as urgency of housing needs, area of preference, household members, support worker etc. must be done in writing via a ‘Change of Circumstances Form’.

• Change of Circumstances Form: Download PDF [440kb]

You can browse the other community housing providers in SA here.

Due to high demand for public and community housing rental properties, we always encourage people to look at all housing options.

• YourPlace Housing does not offer emergency or short term accommodation. If you are in need of emergency housing please call Homeless Connect SA (including families) telephone 1800 003 308
• Domestic Violence and Aboriginal Family Violence Gateway telephone 1300 782 200 or 1800 800 098