Community & Low Cost Housing - Catalyst Foundation

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 1/47 Tynte Street, North Adelaide if required it can be posted to clients. Contact us on (08) 8168 8776 or at information@catalystfoundation.com.au.

It is also possible to search for rental units for seniors on our online retirement housing directory, available at http://catalystfoundation.com.au/housing/. Contact us if you need assistance with searching and retrieving information.

Other useful resources and contacts:

The South Australia Government’s website contains information on housing options including a range of resources on rental accommodation.

Consumer and Business Services – If a resident requires advice or further information about tenancy issues.

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).

Homeless Connect SA(formerly Homelessness Gateway Service and Youth Gateway)provides 24/7 state-wide telephone service for anyone experiencing homelessness in South Australia. Available anytime as a free call to help you find information and a direct referral into homelessness services.

South Australian Civil Administrative Tribunal (SACAT)(taking the roles previously 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.

RentRight SA(formerly Tenants Information and Advocacy Service – TIAS)is a free, independent service provided by SYC Ltd, helping people maintain their tenancies in private rental, community housing or public housing (e.g. if facing eviction).

People who are registered with the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) may receive assistance to live independently. This may include home modifications to the participant’s home. The NDIS will only fund Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) for a participant with extreme functional impairment or very high support need.

The Housing Hub is an online resource containing information on disability housing. It includes a portal where people can find disability-friendly properties across Australia.

Nest is another national online resource for people with a disability. It features properties available and an A-Z directory of disability housing organisations.