There’s been a further boost to the number of affordable homes being built in South Australia with the Minister for Social Housing Ian Hunter due to open 25 new, affordable rental homes at Blakeview this morning.

The $5.2m Blake’s Crossing development has been built by Community Housing Limited (CHL) with funding support from both the State and Commonwealth Governments.

Minister Hunter said the homes are built to the highest quality standards.

“These new homes provide another 25 South Australian families or individuals on moderate to low incomes with quality built homes - for less than 75% of the market rent,” he said.

“Ten of the homes are also targeted to people who have been homeless or at risk of becoming so.

“All of these homes are designed to six star energy efficiency standards to maximise natural ventilation and minimise heating and cooling costs.

The housing provider, CHL, will provide ongoing tenancy and management services for the 25 properties.

CHL is a national and international provider of community housing and assists people in need to access affordable rental accommodation.

It has over 3,000 properties throughout Australia, with these 25 homes being their first in South Australia.

Minister Hunter commended CHL for their commitment to providing affordable rental accommodation for their tenants.

“These sorts of partnerships are a crucial element of the State Government’s strategy in working with the community housing sector and support our Housing Plan for South Australia to provide more affordable housing and quality accommodation for those in greatest need.”

“That’s why the SA Government has been very pleased to support this development with $2.4 million from our Affordable Housing Innovations Fund with the Commonwealth Government also contributing $1.6 million as a part of the National Partnerships Agreement on Social Housing.”

The State Government established the Affordable Housing Innovation Fund in 2005 to provide for the development of affordable rental housing for those on low to moderate incomes.

To date, the Fund has contributed almost $60 million to deliver around 500 homes for South Australian families and people living on their own, who are on low to moderate incomes.