These are affordable options for seniors and other people in low income.
Senior-specific rental independent living units are usually provided by not-for-profit organisations, some of which may also provide other types of support and/or offer retirement village units as well.
Community housing providers may cater for specific groups (e.g. pensioners, people with a disability, vulnerable women or young families).
Community houses offer low cost bed-sitter housing for people who would prefer to live in close proximity to other people and need limited service, such as meals.
See our fact sheet Community housing and low cost rental
Catalyst Foundation publishes a Rental and Community Housing Directory containing a list of providers of accommodation options for seniors with low means. The directory can be downloaded here. It is also available in hard copy at no cost from our office at 149 Currie Street, Adelaide; if required it can be posted to clients. Contact us on (08) 8168 8776 or at .
It is also possible to search for rental units for seniors on our housing database, available on line at http://catalystfoundation.com.au/housing/. Contact us if you need assistance with searching and retrieving information.
Useful resources and contacts:
For further information on public (Housing SA) and community housing see the relevant section of the South Australian Government website
Consumer and Business Services provide tenants with advice or further information about tenancy issues.
Tenants Information and Advocacy Service (TIAS) provides information, advice and advocacy to low income tenants in private rental, community housing or public housing who have a problem with their tenancy or landlord or face eviction. The service is provided by SYC Ltd.
The South Australian Civil Administrative Tribunal (SACAT) (taking the roles formally performed by the Residential Tenancies Tribunal) deals with housing disputes including those between private landlord and tenants, community housing and housing cooperative housing cases and decisions made by Housing SA.
National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) is a Commonwealth government scheme. See the relevant web pages of the Australian Government Department of Social Services’ website for information and a list of providers (tenancy managers).
The Housing Legal Clinic (HLC) provides free legal advice to people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness and low income earners. Brief consultations (usually 15 minutes) with a lawyer are available by appointment. The HLC operates legal clinics in the city and suburbs and in rural South Australia in partnership with other organisations. Check the relevant section of the Welfare Rights Centre website for further information and for locating a clinic.
People who are registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and are not happy with their current accommodation may make ‘Explore more appropriate housing options’ as one of their goals when preparing for their planning meeting. For information on the housing supports that can be provided through the NDIS see the publication Exploring Housing Options Packages (EHOP) – a guide for NDIS participants & providers. For general information on the NDIS click here.
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