September 2024 – Unity Housing’s 70-dwelling Henley Beach South project is hitting major milestones as the final stage – featuring 28 apartments across three storeys – has now completed its main structural elements. All 22 of Unity Housing’s retained affordable townhouses are making excellent progress, with three set for completion next month (October 2024) and the remaining 19 approaching lockup stage, tracking ahead of the contracted May 2025 completion date. Meanwhile, the 20 sold townhouses are nearly 95% complete and undergoing final works before being handed over to their excited new owners.
March 2024 – Excitement is building as Unity Housing’s groundbreaking $30 million affordable housing project takes shape in Henley Beach South, with completion of stage one on the horizon for 2024. This ambitious redevelopment is set to transform the community by offering a dynamic mix of social and affordable housing options. The project will feature 20 townhouses for market sale, alongside 27 townhouses and apartments earmarked for social and affordable rental by Unity Housing. In addition, 23 apartments will be dedicated to senior housing tenants, owned by the South Australian Housing Authority and managed by Unity Housing. A commitment to sustainability is evident, as all properties will be fitted with photovoltaic solar panels, underscoring Unity Housing’s dedication to our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Goals.
December 2023 – As construction crews work, visible changes to the site’s progress can be seen daily.
November 2023 – Construction continues on the $30 million affordable housing redevelopment project transforming vacant land in Henley Beach South, formerly owned by the South Australian Housing Trust, into new social and affordable housing units for low-income households mixed with contemporary market housing.
Designed to complement the quality and amenities of the surrounding community, Unity Housing has worked cooperatively with Village Well, an organisation that specialises in placemaking, the City of Charles Sturt, and the wider community.
Contractor / builder Centina is also busy working with local students from Henley Beach High School through Doorways to Construction; a fast-track program that helps to provide students with practical experience in the home building industry.
Providing much-needed social and affordable rental housing within a mixed development the completed redevelopment will include:
- 20 townhouses for market sale
- 27 townhouses and apartments to be retained by Unity Housing for social and affordable rental
- 23 apartments for social housing rental, targeted towards senior housing tenants, that will be retained by the South Australian Housing Authority and managed by Unity Housing.
Currently, there are 23 townhouses under construction with 19 townhouses and 28 apartments to come soon.
All Henley Beach South properties will include the installation of photovoltaic solar panels as a part of our commitment to the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals.
Unity Housing launches $30m housing development at Henley Beach South
20 October 2021 – Work has begun on Unity Housing’s new $30m social and affordable housing residential development at Henley Beach South, with a groundbreaking event held today. The announcement follows the recent completion of the first stage of Unity Housing’s $45m development program which will see new social and affordable housing rolled out across the Adelaide metro over the next three years, with 32 houses to be completed by Christmas. In this first phase, 13 properties have been completed including seven in Findon, comprising one two-bedroom and six three-bedroom townhouses.
This latest development is a partnership between the SA Housing Authority (SAHA) and Unity Housing. It will see vacant beachside land, owned by SAHA, redeveloped to create new social housing for low-income households, as well as affordable and market housing.
Having been announced in late 2020, the development is now able to get underway after a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink, who oversaw the sod turning event, said the development would provide much-needed social housing at a time when people were facing unprecedented challenges.
“In what is a challenging and tight housing market, there is no doubt these new homes will go a long way in providing a much-needed mix of affordable, social and market housing options for South Australians,” she said.
“Our affordable homes are quite literally being snapped up by low to moderate-income South Australians, clearly demonstrating these homes are much-needed in our state at this time.”
The mixed residential development, at 35 Henley Beach Road, replaces old and outdated public housing flats demolished in 2018.
Under the agreement, Unity Housing will develop the site, including building social housing apartments targeted towards senior housing tenants.
The redevelopment will include 42 townhouses, with a mix of 20 townhouses for general sale and 22 townhouses to be retained by Unity Housing for affordable rental. Unity Housing will build a further 28 apartments for social housing, with SAHA retaining 23 and Unity Housing retaining five.
Unity Housing CEO Matthew Woodward said while civil works would now begin, market sales will commence in November 2021 and construction of the dwellings was scheduled to commence in May 2022.
Mr Woodward said Unity Housing had worked with the community to develop a plan for the site with the support of Village Well, an organisation that specialises in placemaking, and with the City of Charles Sturt.
“We’ve ensured that what we build creates a thriving community with a lively mix of residents, including older people and those who need support,” he said.
“Unity Housing has listened to feedback from the local community and we’ve undertaken successful consultations with nearby residents and business owners. We’re confident we will create a flourishing community in a supportive environment.”
Mr Woodward said the Henley Beach South development was a core part of Unity Housing’s commitment to providing more affordable housing.
“Our partnership with the State Government will provide much-needed social and affordable rental housing in a mixed development which will complement the quality and amenity of the broader community in which the development is placed,” he said.
“The Henley Beach South development is a core part of a wider $45m-development program Unity Housing is currently delivering to provide more affordable housing for low income South Australians.”
Ms Lensink said the Henley Beach South development was expected to be completed by 2024.
“Partnering with Unity Housing will allow us to provide more housing outcomes for the community which is important as we seek to provide more certainly for many struggling South Australians,” she said.
“Through this joint commitment, we are able to significantly increase social and affordable rental outcomes for low and moderate-income senior housing tenants.”
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