A former backpacker’s hostel in the heart of the Adelaide CBD has been transformed into short-term accommodation for South Australians experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
In a first for the state, real estate agency Harcourts Packham has joined forces with South Australia’s new Southern homelessness alliance, Toward Home, to support vulnerable citizens.
The project, named Terra Firma, offers 11 individual rooms and common areas, including a kitchen, laundry and outdoor space – and is now open.
It offers specialised support for singles and couples aged 45 and over with a tenure of up to 12 weeks, with the aim of helping South Australians get back on track and into safe, stable and longer-term accommodation.
Terra Firma also allows residents to have pets.
According to Baptist Care South Australia, there are more than 6000 people living in the state without a safe place to call home. Those numbers steadily rise each year.
Harcourts Packham has driven the initiative, after buying the building in early 2021 and reaching out to Toward Home to get the project up and running.
The agency is managing the Terra Firma property, and during their stay, clients will be supported by Toward Home.
Harcourts Packham director James Packham said the Terra Firma project supported the organisation’s mission to respond to homelessness.
“If utilised effectively we have the resources to provide for everyone’s wellbeing,” Mr Packham said.
“Helping someone achieve a baseline can mean providing a safe place to sleep, to shower, clean their clothes and prepare a meal.
“Until these basic needs are satisfied it is unrealistic that they will be able to advance their position and re-join their peers as a productive contributor in society. Helping people find their feet is more than good form; it improves lives and delivers strong net benefit to society.”
Harcourts Packham will also offer Terra Firma residents advice and assistance to secure private rental accommodation where appropriate.
“Some have asked us why we chose to launch this initiative; but for us it has never required over-justification,” Mr Packham said.
“There are South Australians who don’t have a place to sleep tonight. This is someone’s child or someone’s parent, any of us could find ourselves in a similar position.”
Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink welcomed the new partnership.
“This state-first initiative between Harcourts Packham and the Toward Home alliance is exactly the kind of innovation we were hoping for as a result of our bold, new nation-first homelessness reforms,” Ms Lensink said.
“Not only do we hope this initiative will better support our vulnerable, it will support more South Australians into safe, stable and longer-term housing.
“Ultimately, we want better outcomes for our most vulnerable South Australians and this initiative will go a long way in supporting our collective goal.”
Terra Firma is still in its early stages, but now operating at full capacity with several residents having transitioned from Terra Firma to other accommodation options.
Future plans for Terra Firma include having staff volunteer to help residents with rental applications, as well as regular community events and creating facilities for art and music.
