(L-R) Lindsay Cowper (Fleurieu Community Foundation), Tammy Elvin (Junction), Kate Simpson (Fleurieu Community Foundation), Maria Palumbo (Junction), Leanne Keach (Elders), Carol Caston (Fleurieu Community Foundation), Natalie Stevenson (Community Bank Fleurieu) and Mark Irwin (Rotary Club of Victor Harbor).

A ground-breaking program delivering safe, stable and affordable housing on the Fleurieu Peninsula will expand following a $160,000 funding boost from a consortium of business and community partners.

The investment will support the lease of at least three additional homes and a dedicated case worker as part of the Fleurieu Accommodation Project – an initiative led by Junction and supported by the Fleurieu Community Foundation, Rotary Club of Victor Harbor, Community Bank Fleurieu, Zonta Club of the Fleurieu Peninsula and Elders Real Estate.

The project addresses homelessness through a head lease model, securing private rental properties which are then sub-let by Junction to people experiencing, or at risk of, rough sleeping.

To date, the Fleurieu Accommodation Project has supported 32 people across three properties – a dedicated share house for women over 55, another for young people at risk of homelessness and crisis accommodation.

Leading the latest commitment, Rotary Club of Victor Harbor has joined the collaboration with an investment of $85,000 over five years. Meantime, Fleurieu Community Foundation will provide an additional $65,000, including funding for a part-time case worker to provide tailored, on-the-ground support.

Zonta Club of the Fleurieu Peninsula will contribute an additional $10,000 over two years while Elders Real Estate continues in-kind assistance by way of discounted property management.

The expansion builds on an initial $70,000 consortium investment, comprising a $30,000 grant from Community Bank Fleurieu, $20,000 from the Fleurieu Community Foundation and $20,000 from Zonta Club of the Fleurieu Peninsula.

“This is a targeted, innovative local solution in the midst of a dire and broader systemic challenge,” Maria Palumbo, Junction’s CEO, said.

“SA has among the lowest rental vacancy rates in the country especially in regional areas, placing continued pressure and compounding challenges for those struggling to access and maintain housing.”

“The addition of a dedicated case worker is so valuable to building connections with people to help them overcome barriers so they can genuinely improve their circumstances not just for a few weeks, but in the long term.”