June 2026

Unity Housing has appointed Allison Berry (below, centre) as its new Chief Finance Officer (CFO), along with two new Board members, following the community housing group’s recent merger with YourPlace Housing.

Ms Berry has worked in senior leadership roles, including Chief Operating Officer and Executive Manager of Finance and Commercial, across commercial and not-for-profit organisations in South Australia for more than 24 years.

She replaces retiring CFO Ian Elsegood and starts her new role at Unity Housing on July 6 – three days after the retirement of Unity Housing CEO Matthew Woodward. Geoff Slack, who has led YourPlace Housing for the past five years, will be Interim CEO following Mr Woodward’s retirement.

Unity Housing and YourPlace Housing merged on June 1 2026, under the Unity Housing name, expanding Unity’s impact as South Australia’s largest not-for-profit community housing provider to support more than 6,500 people.

As a result of the merger, the Unity Housing Board will increase from seven to nine directors with the appointment of former YourPlace Housing Board Chair, Aaron Chia (former Chief Executive of Guide Dogs SA/NT) and Director, Megan Jongebloed (Chair and Director of Cowell Clarke).

They will join Unity Housing Board Chair Leigh Garrett and Directors Karen Janiszewski, Gregg Ryan (a former YourPlace Housing Board Director appointed in 2022), Michele Smith OAM, David Spear, Sacha Wainwright and Richard Willson.

“Working across major South Australian brands including RAA, the Royal Society for the Blind and AnglicareSA, Ms Berry is recognised for her focus on building high performing teams that deliver excellence in service and value to maximise social and community outcomes,” Mr Garrett said. “These appointments reflect our commitment to building a robust and diverse leadership team that can guide Unity Housing through its next chapter. Their added skills, experience and insight will strengthen our organisation, support effective decision-making at every level and provide valuable continuity during this period of transition.”

Under the merger, former YourPlace Housing tenants and employees moved across to Unity Housing. The merger will see the establishment of a dedicated Specialist Disability Housing Program providing more housing choice and tailored support for South Australians living with disabilities, and will increase Unity Housing’s footprint to 3,700 homes across the state.

Unity Housing and YourPlace Housing united under the Unity Housing name on 1 June 2026, expanding its impact as South Australia’s largest not-for-profit community housing provider to support more than 6,500 people.

The merger will see the establishment of a dedicated specialist disability housing program providing more housing choice and tailored support for South Australians living with disabilities and will increase Unity Housing’s footprint to 3,700 homes across the state.

Former YourPlace tenants, along with almost all employees who elected to transfer, have now moved across to Unity Housing.

Outgoing Unity Housing CEO Matthew Woodward said combining the resources and expertise of Unity and YourPlace would provide greater benefits for tenants. “The merger will enable us to deliver more housing choice, tailored support and better long-term outcomes for tenants living with disability, backed by the scale, expertise and capacity of a larger organisation,” he said. “It also ensures continuity for tenants, building on the organisation’s strong existing culture while strengthening services through experienced leadership and specialist sector expertise.”

Geoff Slack, who has led YourPlace Housing for the past five years and will take on the role of Interim CEO following Mr Woodward’s retirement, said the merger was a practical and forward-looking step to strengthen services and build long-term sustainability.

“Both organisations bring deep expertise and a strong commitment to tenants and communities,” Mr Slack said. “By combining those strengths, we are better placed to respond to the significant housing challenges facing South Australia.”

Mr Woodward will retire in July after leading the organisation since its establishment in 2008, overseeing its focused growth which has delivered safe and affordable housing for high-need tenants – an increasingly urgent need in recent years.

Mr Slack has more than 20 years housing and homelessness experience across government, non-government and corporate sectors, working across operational, strategic and executive roles. As Director of peak-body Australian Community Housing, he has built a strong reputation for values-based, authentic leadership and practical collaboration across the sector.

A handover period has commenced to ensure a smooth leadership transition.

Matthew Woodward and Geoff Slack