This project provides high-quality, affordable housing for local workers and families on low to moderate incomes, supporting the continued growth and wellbeing of the Bordertown community.

The Tatiara District Council contributed the land for the development, the Trust provided financial support and Unity Housing funded the remainder of the construction costs. Local builder G.J. Gardner Homes was engaged to deliver the project, which is now complete and ready for new tenants. The homes will be rented at 75% of the market rate, ensuring long-term affordability for local households.

Unity Housing’s CEO, Matthew Woodward, said, “We are proud to be officially opening these new homes in Bordertown. This project demonstrates what can be achieved through strong partnerships with local and state governments and community housing providers. Together, we are helping to meet the growing demand for affordable housing and strengthening the social and economic fabric of regional communities.”

The properties are located on Seventh Street, Bordertown, just 1.5km from the town centre, schools and hospital, providing easy access to essential services.

With over 3,000 properties in its state-wide portfolio, Unity Housing currently manages approximately 380 social housing properties across the Limestone Coast and remains committed to expanding its housing portfolio to address the ongoing need for affordable housing in the region. Further developments are planned to support local communities well into the future.

Bordertown, located 250km southeast of Adelaide, is a vibrant regional centre with a population of more than 3,000 and a strong local economy.

This project is a testament to Unity Housing’s vision to deliver safe, affordable housing and to build strong partnerships that benefit South Australian communities.

Watch the official opening of ‘Coast’ on 2 July 2025.

Unity Housing CEO Matthew Woodward, Minister for Housing and Urban Development Nick Champion, Labor Candidate for Colton Aria Bolkus and Unity Housing Board Chair Leigh Garrett.

Officially opened on 2 July 2025, the Henley Beach South ‘Coast’ Project is a major milestone in Unity Housing’s commitment to delivering more social and affordable housing to low-income households increasingly priced out of the rental market in metropolitan Adelaide.

In partnership with the South Australian Housing Trust (the Trust), Unity Housing’s Henley Beach South ‘Coast’ development has transformed the 0.9ha former public housing site into modern, sustainable apartments and townhouses on sought after Henley Beach Road.

The mixed housing development replaces 52 outdated public housing flats built in 1957 and has been designed to strengthen the local community through thoughtful design, strong partnerships, and genuine community engagement. It includes:

• 22 two-and-three-bedroom affordable rental townhouses owned and operated by Unity Housing.
• 5 two-bedroom social apartments owned and operated by Unity Housing.
• 23 two-bedroom social rental apartments for people aged 55 and over owned by the Trust and managed by Unity Housing.
• 20 townhouses sold to market (phase one of the development).

Construction of the affordable townhouses and social apartments was completed in May, and they are expected to be fully tenanted by the end of July.

The all-electric site includes 700 solar panels installed across the development’s mixed housing, car chargers fitted in Unity Housing’s affordable townhouses and an open green community space and street landscaping. The 28 social housing apartments are built to meet Supported Disability Accommodation ‘Improved Liveability’ standards.

Designed by City Collective and built by Centina, the development secured funding from the Housing Australia Future Fund and National Housing Accord Facility (Round One) to support the delivery of 19 affordable townhouses and five of the social housing apartments.

Housing and Urban Development Minister Nick Champion said: “These outstanding new homes provide affordable rental accommodation in a prime Adelaide beach-side location, directly opposite a premier public high school. The Henley Beach South ‘Coast’ project not only rejuvenates an outdated SA Housing Trust site, it creates affordable housing opportunities in sustainable townhouses and apartments in a vibrant beachside community.”

Unity Housing CEO Matthew Woodward said: “This is a landmark project that sets the new standard for affordable, inclusive and sustainable living in Henley Beach South. It delivers much-needed housing for low-income households, seniors, and the broader community. Our $48 million development is not just housing – it is also about strengthening the fabric of the community, reflecting the character and needs of the neighborhood and delivering high quality, affordable homes that foster connection, dignity, and opportunity.”

Centina Managing Director Paul Nardinocchi said: “Aligned with Centina’s vision to be known as a company that positively impacts communities, we are proud to partner with Unity Housing on the construction of this project. The townhouses and apartments provide much needed social and affordable housing to low income and ageing community members and are situated in an exceptional location only minutes to the beach and near amenities.”

Unity Housing is at the forefront of efforts to improve the energy efficiency of social housing properties, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and the well-being of its tenants. Through the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI), Unity Housing is leading the way in upgrading existing social housing to make homes more energy-efficient and reduce utility costs for residents. These upgrades typically include better insulation, efficient heating and cooling systems, and the installation of energy-saving appliances or solar panels.

As part of the 2024-25 State Budget announcement, Unity Housing secured $785,000 in matched funding to carry out significant improvements across up to 90 properties in the Limestone Coast region, including Millicent, Naracoorte and Penola. These properties, currently reliant on bottled gas for heating, cooking, and hot water, will undergo a comprehensive upgrade.

Beginning in April 2025 and continuing through to March 2027, Unity Housing will replace existing gas appliances with energy-efficient electrical alternatives, such as heat pump water heaters, energy-efficient air conditioners, insulation upgrades, and solar PV systems. These improvements are designed to enhance thermal comfort, reduce energy bills, and ensure a constant supply of heating and hot water, ultimately improving the overall quality of life for residents.

Unity Housing CEO, Matthew Woodward says, “Our proactive approach in partnering with the South Australian Government underscores Unity Housing’s dedication to supporting low-income households in the South East who are vulnerable to rising energy costs. By prioritising these upgrades, we aim to alleviate financial pressure on some of the state’s most disadvantaged communities, ensuring they can enjoy a more comfortable and affordable living environment.”

This initiative not only highlights Unity Housing’s leadership in sustainability and energy efficiency but also showcases the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the challenges faced by its tenants. Unity Housing is proud to take significant steps, in partnership with the state government, to improve the quality of life for South Australians on low incomes.

Pictured: Solar panels on Unity Housing properties in Strathalbyn, SA.

In an Australian first, 1,750 community housing tenants are being invited to access the lowest electricity prices in South Australia through a virtual power plant previously accessible only to public housing residents.

Unity Housing, one of the state’s largest community housing providers (CHP), in partnership with Tesla, will be the first CHP to provide tenants access to South Australia’s Virtual Power Plant (SAVPP) – the largest VPP in the nation.

This is the first time the SAVPP – set up by Tesla in 2017 with support from the State Government initially for public housing tenants – is being opened to low to moderate income tenants in community housing.

Unity Housing CEO, Matthew Woodward, said the partnership was a game-changer for the national community housing sector, benefiting tenant households and the environment.

Mr Woodward said Tesla would install batteries and/or solar panels to the homes of eligible Unity Housing tenants so they could generate and store green energy, returning excess into the grid, at no cost to the tenant.

“Unity Housing tenants will be the first in the community housing sector to share the benefits of cheaper and renewable energy at scale by participating in this scheme at a time when household budgets are under increasing pressure from rising living costs,” he said.

“That’s what makes this initiative so important – it provides people in greatest need with no-cost green energy infrastructure that will help manage the household budget, reducing stress and anxiety and improving health and wellbeing, while helping the environment. It’s a win, win, win.”

Minster for Housing and Urban Development, Nick Champion, said this initiative would provide real savings to lower income earners.

“The increasing cost of living is a real issue being felt across Adelaide and initiatives like the SA Virtual Power Plant will make a genuine difference to the tenants at Unity Housing,” he said.

“It’s important we continue to look at various ways to make housing more affordable and this partnership is an example of what can be achieved when the Government works with community housing providers to change the lives of South Australians doing it tough.”

Tesla, through Energy Locals, shares the benefits of savings from energy produced via the solar and battery systems by providing tenants the lowest energy prices in SA.

Unity Housing tenants could save up to $562 a year – or 25 per cent off the South Australian Default Market Offer based on average tenant household usage.

To date, more than 250 Unity Housing tenants, located predominantly across Adelaide’s western suburbs, have registered to join the SAVPP and more than 150 have been benefitting from cheaper electricity over the past three months through the installation of batteries and/or solar panels.

The combined yearly impact of all 7,000 SAVPP sites installed by the end of 2024 amounts to an indicative reduction in emissions of 20,825 tonnes of CO2-e per year.*

Unity Housing provides safe, secure and sustainable homes for South Australians with diverse needs including those on low to moderate incomes; at risk of or experiencing homelessness; and/or living with disability – all of whom may have difficulty obtaining or maintaining housing in the public or private market.

*Calculated using average SAVPP solar generation data per site per year, average yearly electricity consumption in South Australian homes and a scope 2 emissions factor for the South Australian grid from 2020 National Greenhouse Accounts Factor data.

Twilight Tenant Christmas Party Lights Up Lions Park for a Community Celebration!

Twilight Tenant Christmas Party Lights Up Lions Park for a Community Celebration!

In a much-anticipated gathering, the Twilight Tenant Christmas Party was held at Lions Park on Tuesday, 5 December from 4 pm to 6 pm.

In true Millicent style, the Lions Club fired up the BBQ, offering a spread of classic Aussie snags and salads served up by Jacqui, her daughter Lottie and our fabulous tenant helper Big John!

Approximately 35 tenants and other local residents attended, with some telling us that this was their first Lions Park experience, having previously watched events from inside their house. Today was the day they felt they could join in the fun.

Kids revelled in the laid-back fun, getting amongst games like snakes and ladders, Connect 4, and the art table which emerged as a favorite creative hub and was skilfully supervised by another fabulous tenant, Rakhael.

Des Knoll, a keen supporter of Unity Housing + Lions Park…  and Mayor of Wattle Range Council, came along, underlining the event’s significance.

Santa made a grand entrance, distributing lolly bags and listening carefully to all Christmas present requests from the crowd against the backdrop of a beautiful clear blue sky.

The air buzzed with excitement during a free lucky prize draw with 3 winners announced.

Jacqui Matthews (Tenant Engagement Officer) and Peter Zeitz (Team Leader) extended words of welcome and thanks to local event sponsors, highlighting the spirit of community.

The event was a huge success and concluded with a common request to do it all again next year.

#TwilightTenantChristmas #CommunityGathering#MillicentLionsPark

Thank you to everyone who attended, Unity Housing staff and Santa!

Meet our Christmas card artwork competition winner

We interviewed Mandy about her winning artwork, “Peace” that appears on the cover of our 2023 tenant Christmas Card.

2023 Unity Housing Christmas card competition winner Mandy with Paul

Q: Tell us about the piece you created – what was your inspiration and what does it represent?
A: The piece of art I created was about what Christmas means to me – wishing there was peace around the world, that it isn’t just about receiving presents. I didn’t want to create any religious aspects either, as we all have different meanings of Christmas.

Q: What is your background in art?
A: I have always loved art and it was my favourite subject at school, I was constantly drawing in my spare time. I didn’t enter my first art competition until I was in my 30s as I didn’t have the confidence or believe my artwork was good enough. My first art entry was at the Robe Southern Ocean Art Exhibition and that is where I sold my first piece.

Q: How would you describe your style?
A: Out there… I draw cartoons and I can also draw and paint deep and meaningful art, my range is broad.

Q: What do you enjoy creating and why?
A: Art is a great release of all my pent-up feelings and emotions. My opinions are also expressed through the art I create, which is my voice instead of my words.

Q: How did you become a tenant with Unity Housing?
A: I was originally a tenant in Kingston and have always felt safe in the housing Unity Housing provides. I moved to Millicent in 2012 and I have always felt supported by Unity, especially with my art and when I had to relocate to another property.

Q: Is there a special message you would like to share with Unity Housing tenants this holiday season?
A: I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and, with everything currently happening in the world, reflect on how fortunate we are to be living where we do.

Thank you to all our competition entrants, Amanda, Brett, David, DM, Katrina, Linda, Mark, Rosemary, Shane, and Vicki. 

On 28 October at the Mill Gallery, Adelaide CBD, the Community Housing Association of South Australia (CHIA SA) recognised the artistic talents of community and social housing tenants; participants of the 2023 Community Housing Art (CHARTS) Awards.

Biennially celebrated, this year’s CHARTS Awards shines a spotlight on the vibrant tapestry of creativity and talent showcased by residents from 12 community housing providers in South Australia.

This event attracted an impressive 130 entries spanning four categories: Framed/Hanging; 3D/Sculpture; Photography, Digital and Graphic; and Poetry and Literature.

Luke Westenberg, the Chief Executive Officer of CHIA SA, noted that CHARTS showcases talented tenants residing in community and social housing.

“We know art brings people together, and by displaying their artwork, we hope CHARTS inspires engagement and a feeling of belonging in the community among tenants,” said Mr Westenberg. “Congratulations to the winners and all the entrants for sharing their creativity, with a broad range of works entered from established artists to artists who picked up a paintbrush for the first time.”

We invite art enthusiasts to explore the CHARTS exhibition, which remains open until 12 October 2023. Don’t miss the chance to cast your vote for the People’s Choice Award, which will be presented on the exhibition’s closing day at The Mill.

This year, Unity Housing tenants contributed a total of 39 entries.

We extend our gratitude to all Unity Housing tenants who generously shared their creative talents by participating in the 2023 Community Housing Arts (CHARTS) Awards. We value and appreciate the collective efforts of each participant.

Thank you for making this event a success!

The 2023 CHARTS Award recipients are:

Framed / Hanging
• Youth category: Pearl, YourPlace
• Emerging category: Linda, Kingfisher
• General category: Luke, Silverton

3D / Sculpture
• Youth Entrants category: Zachary, Genetic Lifeform and Disk Operating System – Abstract Art Piece
• Emerging category: Ty, Cloudwood
• General category: Alycia, City Cam, Google Streetview, Screenshot

Photography, Digital and Graphic Art
• Youth Entrants category: Amber, Slow Morning Spent below a Polyester Canopy
• Emerging category: Leonard, Reflections Upside Down
• General category: Phillip, Spirit Dance

Poetry and Literature
• Youth Entrants category: Gislene, Voices of My Past – Kuginda
• Emerging category: Kym, Merciful Silence
• General category: Adeeb, Something Wrong (Unity Housing tenant)

First Nations Artist: Marie, The Storyteller (Unity Housing tenant)

Artist Living with Disability: Jungle, Abstract Shon Number 9 (Unity Housing tenant)

A panel of judges reviewed submissions and based their decisions on originality, technique, composition, message, interest and overall impact. Judges included:

• Artist, Amy Joy-Watson;
• The Art Bus teacher, Miranda Harris;
• Artist Claire Wildish; and
• Patron of arts and community organisations and ABC radio presenter, Peter Goers.

Front view of the new Unity Housing office in Bowden.

Unity Housing thanks the following organisations for their contributions to the Bowden project.

• The Buildtec Group – Owner / builder
• Hames Sharely – Base Build Architect
• Neoscape – Unity Project Manager
• JPE Design Studio – Fit-out Architect
• Lucid Consulting – Building Services Consulting Engineers
• DCWC – Quantity Surveyor
• dsquared Consulting – Sustainability Consultant
• Katnich Dodd – Building Rules Assessment
• Signlab – Signage
• Estilo – Furniture and Lighting
• Egans – Removals, Storage and Relocation
• Custom Kitchens and Home Improvements – ‘make good’ of previously leased premises

We are pleased to announce the completion of Unity Housing’s new central office in the vibrant community of Bowden and that the relocation of staff from our five metropolitan offices into this central location has been finalised.

This new office has been purpose built for us by our partners, The Buildtec Group, who will continue to own the building with Unity Housing as the primary tenant.

It’s important to note that our commitment to serving our tenants in country regional areas and Boarding House residents will continue to be delivered through appropriately located local offices.

The new Bowden office space marks a significant milestone in the ongoing development and growth of Unity Housing and the services it offers. The office has been built to deliver a range of environmental/ESG outcomes and provides a dynamic setting for our staff. It will not only provide a more enriching work environment but also facilitates administrative and operational efficiencies which will support improved outcomes for our tenants.

As we come together under one roof, Unity Housing aims to streamline corporate support initiatives and create a more unified, cohesive, and effective workforce. A number of initiatives to achieve this have already been put in place and a further significant operational initiative will be delivered with the commencement of our new Customer Care Centre in late September.

Speaking about this exciting development, Unity Housing CEO Matthew Woodward said:

“We are thrilled to make this announcement. We worked closely with our staff to establish clear criteria, focusing on creating an efficient, modern, and sustainable work environment. Partnering with the Buildtec Group in the Bowden development has allowed us to meet these criteria and bring this vision to life. This new office aligns perfectly with our values, rooted in the community, and dedicated to providing a long-term, sustainable workspace for our staff, while improving services to our tenants.”

The Bowden office is conveniently located near the Adelaide CBD at 10 Gibson Street, Bowden, at the corner of Gibson Street and Second Street. This prime location offers easy access to various modes of public transport, including buses, trains, and trams.

Our Bowden office hours are from 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Should you have any inquiries, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at T: 08 8237 8777.

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