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SACOSS welcomes new data showing SA public housing improvement

SACOSS welcomes new data showing SA public housing improvement

New data showing encouraging trends in public housing figures has been welcomed by state’s peak body for the community services and non-government health sectors, the South Australian Council of Social Service.

According to the Report on Government Services 2026, in South Australia across 2024-25:

  • the number of public housing dwellings rose by 149 to 31,611;
  • the total number of all social housing dwellings rose by 417; and
  • the number of applicants on the public housing wait list dropped by 356 to 13,687.

SACOSS notes that the total number of tenantable public housing dwellings dropped in 2024-25, due mainly to a significant increase in dwellings undergoing major redevelopment (787, up from 83 in 2023-24).

In the homelessness space, there was also some encouraging RoGS data, albeit interspersed with more challenging figures:

  • The total number of clients was 17,587, a decrease from 18,717 in 2023-24. Total client days also decreased; and
  • 25.6% of clients with need for accommodation were not provided with that service, down from 27.7% in previous year. This is below the national average of 32%, but it is still worrying that a quarter of all clients in SA needing accommodation can’t be helped.

However, the data shows that state government recurrent real expenditure on homelessness services dropped $4.3m to $91.5m in 2024-25 (down $4.3m). This is about $15m lower than the pandemic high in 2021-22, and below what is needed to sustain homelessness services.

Quotes attributable to Dr Catherine Earl, SACOSS CEO

Housing has a long lead time, but today’s data shows evidence of the turnaround in public housing promised by Labor in the lead up to the last election. This is very welcome.

What we now need is a promise to sustain the current public housing build through the next term of parliament. The government’s current roadmap shows a drop-off from 2027 which we can’t afford if we want to ensure that everyone has a right to a home.

The decrease in the number of people on the public housing wait list is also encouraging, but even the reduced figure means there are still many thousands of people in need of public housing that needs to be built.

We are also particularly concerned about the level of funding of homelessness services going down. We know the government is undertaking a review into homelessness services, but more funding is needed. And with the imminent demise of Shelter SA and the ongoing lack of a peak homelessness services body, we need investment in the sector as a whole as well as the immediate services to help our homelessness sector meet demand.

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JEREMY BROWN

Jeremy is currently the Chief Executive at Uniting Communities and is deeply committed to cultivating a strong, values-driven organisational culture that places people and community at its core. His leadership style is grounded in empathy, innovation, and strategic growth, ensuring that Uniting Communities continues to deliver inclusive and impactful services to more than 80,000 South Australians each year.

His previous roles include Chief Operating Officer of Novita Services and Chief Operating Officer of Baptist Care (SA). He has also had a long-standing association with SACOSS where he served as a member of their Policy Council.

MICHELE WACHLA

Michele is an accomplished social services professional with a dual background in Social Work and Business, bringing over 18 years of experience to her work. She has developed a deep understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities within Regional, Rural, and Remote (RRR) environments, particularly in South Australia. Michele is a recognised leader, known for her expertise in designing and implementing place-based initiatives that address the complexities of RRR communities. Her work is underpinned by strategic planning, effective resourcing, and a strong focus on policy review and advocacy to ensure that services remain relevant, equitable, and sustainable. Michele’s commitment to community-centred approaches drives meaningful outcomes, nurturing resilience, and growth across regional South Australia.

KHATIJA THOMAS

DAVE ADAMSON

Dave moved to Australia following a 30-year academic career in the UK. He has since worked in the Community Housing sector and authored the 2016 Towards a National Housing Strategy, and helped to establish the Everybody’s Home campaign. He also researches the interface between poverty and climate change and actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He has worked with government at all levels and has experience of policy development and evaluation. He is co-author of Sustainable Places: Addressing Social Inequality and Environmental Crisis (2022, Routledge). In his spare time he plays and builds guitars.

ROHAN FEEGRADE

Rohan is an experienced and forward-thinking CEO, senior executive and board director with demonstrated expertise across the not-for-profit, private and government sectors. Currently CEO of Lutheran Care, he has proven record for creating substantial organisational, stakeholder and client value, and has extensive experience in strategically positioning organisations for transformational change and growth within the health, disability, education and community service sectors. Rohan is a socially responsible professional, genuinely passionate about creating opportunities for people who live with disadvantage and disability, always acting ethically to serve those he works with and for.

JANE MUSSARED

Jane has worked in for purpose and government health and human service settings throughout her career. In June 2024 she returned to SA and joined the Maggie Beer Foundation as CEO following 20 months based in Canberra as an Advisor to the Federal Minister for Health and Aged Care. Previously she was Chief Executive of COTA SA and before that an executive of ACH Group. Jane served on a range of boards and committees prior to moving to Canberra, including the SACOSS Policy Council until 2022, as chair of the South Australian Circus Centre and as a non-Executive Director with the Maggie Beer Foundation.

NANCY PENNA

Nancy has than 30 years of experience in South Australian community services, and a a unique understanding of the political and social landscape and the issues and opportunities facing South Australia. Currently responsible for the strategic and operational oversight of AnglicareSA’s community services portfolio, she has previously held executive roles in government within child protection and disability, with her executive experience underpinned by her earlier career as a social worker in child protection and youth justice. She is also Chair of the Child and Family Focus South Australia (CAFFSA) Board and most recently on the Housing Security for Older Women Taskforce.

NICOLE CHAPLIN

Nicole is a dedicated and experienced youth support professional, specialising in solutions for disadvantaged young people in South Australia. As CEO of St John’s Youth Services, she oversees innovative programs like youth110 and Foyer Port Adelaide. With over thirty years in the community sector, Nicole has built extensive networks and her expertise spans governance, service delivery, policy development, and partnerships. Recognised with the 2018 AHI Inspirational Leader Award, Nicole is an active participant in housing and homelessness networks. She holds leadership roles in various organisations, including Anglicare Australia’s National Reconciliation Network.

EMMA CROSBY

Emma is a chartered Accountant with more than 15 years experience as a board member, finance and business professional, strategic advisor and company secretary. She has strong values and a passion for enabling and leading organisations to meet its operational and strategic direction through long-term financial sustainability, operational efficiency, innovation, leadership, transformation and partnerships. As Treasurer and Board member at SACOSS, she is committed to successfully leading and making a purposeful impact to the organisation and its stakeholders.

David PANTER

David has worked in health and social care for almost 45 years, over half of which has been as a Chief Executive. In the UK he initially worked in the NHS and more latterly in local government, where he was Chief Executive of Brighton & Hove City Council. In 2004 David was recruited to the South Australian public health system for over 10 years leading reforms including the development of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital. From 2015-2022 David was the Chief Executive of not-for-profit aged care provider ECH. At the end of January 2022 David became the Chief Executive at Minda, SA’s largest provider of services to people living with an intellectual disability.