Community Housing Central Australia

Construction begins on 7th March for new social housing project in Alice Springs

Construction has begun on five new homes in Alice Springs as part of the Australian Government’s Social Housing Accelerator Payment (SHAP), which is delivering up to 100 new social housing properties across the Northern Territory.
The Northern Territory has received $50 million in SHAP funding to support the construction of these homes over the next five years. Of this, $12.5 million has been allocated to Community Housing Providers, with the remainder managed by the Northern Territory Government to build the homes.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Community Development, Steve Edgington, attended a sod-turning event in Gillen, along with CHCA staff to mark the official start of construction in Alice Springs.
Community Housing Central Australia (CHCA) successfully applied for SHAP funding for the development of five new dwellings, providing a total of seven bedrooms across two sites in Gillen – one on Nicker Crescent and another on Ashwin Street. The homes are expected to be completed by early 2026.
Nicker Crescent will feature three one-bedroom homes, while Ashwin Street will have two two-bedroom dwellings.

The CEO of Community Housing Central Australia, Frances Paterson-Fleider said

“CHCA are delighted to secure the SHAP funding for the delivery of 5 properties providing 7 additional bedrooms across two sites in Alice Springs. This project will deliver $2.5m in direct investment into housing while generating benefits to the local economy via the construction program and creating local jobs. All properties will be architecturally designed, with appropriate landscaping and will blend seamlessly into the existing street scape. Importantly, the project will deliver much needed new social housing for Alice Springs”.

CHCA Board Strategy Day

The Directors of CHCA and Executive staff met in November 2024 to discuss progress against the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. A number of external guests also attended to present on housing and homelessness in the Northern Territory, as well as future growth opportunities.
The vision of the Board to empower our communities through quality housing solutions that make a difference; places where people feel safe, secure, and can thrive through have a healthy affordable home, underpins the five pillars within the Strategic Plan.

Transforming Public Housing in Alice Springs

The Northern Territory Government has transferred the management of 100 public housing properties in Alice Springs to Community Housing Central Australia to help create better outcomes for social housing tenants. From mid October 2024, CHCA will be responsible for property and tenancy management functions, while the government will maintain ownership of the homes for the 100 properties.
Luccio Cercarelli, CEO of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Community Development confirmed that “the Northern Territory Government is supporting the growth of the community housing sector in the Territory and is working with Community Housing Providers to establish a model that promotes positive outcomes for tenants and local communities.
“Community Housing Central Australia provides a valuable experience for public housing tenants by delivering a quality, cost-effective and efficient housing service led by local people. We are proud to be working in partnership with them.”
“While tenants are being consulted about the change of landlord, the transfer won’t impact them or their homes on a day-to-day basis. Tenants will also benefit from improvement works to the homes as part of the transfer and a more streamlined repair and maintenance service.”
Frances Paterson-Fleider, CEO of Community Housing Central Australia added that “we are excited to deliver our tenant focused and sustainable housing model to all our new tenants.
Tenants are at the heart of what we do and the CHCA staff look forward to working with our new tenants in the coming months. As a supportive landlord, our aim is to see our tenants thrive in healthy, safe, affordable and liveable homes”.
Tenants can expect to participate in a higher level of engagement and involvement in management and maintenance decisions affecting their homes. CHCA also looks forward to undertaking wider engagement with the communities across Alice Springs, who have an important role to play in community cohesion.