Peppertree Place, a new family crisis housing service in Adelaide's northern suburbs, is offering families experiencing homelessness an alternative to living in short term hotel/motel crisis accommodation.
The new service is a partnership with the SA Housing Authority (SAHA) and the Adelaide North-West Homelessness Alliance (ANWHA).
Opening the new accommodation at Paralowie today Minister for Human Services Nat Cook said Peppertree Place is an improved option for families in crisis, offering a safe and supportive environment where parents and children can get back on their feet.
Peppertree Place offers eight, two-bedroom furnished homes with kitchenettes and bathrooms, with 32 families expected to access the accommodation each year.
There is also a communal outdoor area so children can safely play.
The initiative is a two-year trial. SAHA will lease the accommodation to the Alliance, which will provide tenancy support and case management to resident families with the aim of helping them into longer-term housing.
The accommodation provides an alternative to hotel and motel emergency accommodation, which last financial year (2021/22) was used by more than 5,500 people in emergency situations.
The cost of emergency accommodation blew out from $4.7 million in 2017, when 4,880 people were assisted, to almost $11 million in 2021/22.
The Alliance will work closely with all families to determine the most appropriate accommodation for their needs, with those accessing the service based on preference, family situations and capacity.
Quotes
Attributable to Nat Cook
While so many organisations do amazing work to support those requiring crisis accommodation, we know that families experiencing the stress of homelessness aren't best served by living in motel rooms.
The reasons for this are many including the fact that space is limited, facilities are not designed for families and crowding adds to an already highly stressful situation for parents and kids.
Our vulnerable families need their own space to stabilise, to enhance dignity and prepare themselves for longer-term accommodation.
Peppertree Place provides an opportunity to trial a residential crisis accommodation model for families.
It's a remarkable place made possible by the State Government in partnership with the Adelaide North-West Homelessness Alliance.
Attributable to Ian Cox Head of Homelessness Sector Integration, SA Housing Authority
It is so important that families experiencing homelessness have access to appropriate facilities like these, providing a safe and secure tenure with appropriate supports in place.
We are proud to work with the Alliance on this innovative solution to help end homelessness.
Attributable to ANWHA Manager, Orla Matthews
While some families are able to access emergency hotel accommodation, it's really not an ideal environment, with families large and small often living and sleeping in one room, with limited access to cooking facilities, and limited access for pets.
Peppertree Place will be a much better alternative to families, with our support services then able to walk them through the entire process of finding a new, more permanent home.
With fully equipped kitchens, renovated bathrooms, separate bedrooms and a family living area, these units will provide a safer, more suitable environment for families while we help them to secure longer term options.
