All-woman crew building affordable housing for SA women impacted by violence

A $15.7 million affordable housing development led by women for women is reaching new heights in the heart of Adelaide.

YWCA Australia, Australia’s only national specialist women’s housing provider, is constructing 24 long-term, affordable rental apartments on Hutt Street.

The specialist affordable housing development will prioritise women and their families who have experienced domestic and family violence and is the first of its kind being built by YWCA Australia in South Australia.

It will accommodate up to 57 residents, who are women and their family members on low to moderate incomes for below market rent as the country’s housing crisis continues.

YWCA Australia Senior Manager Property Development, Belinda Goglia (far right), with the all-women project team
Belinda Goglia, YWCA Australia Senior Manager Property Development, said the affordable rental apartments for women-led families were on track for completion in early 2025.

“The arrival of the eight-tonne crane marks the start of the next development phase where upper floor levels will be added to construct the one, two and three bedroom apartments for women and their families,” said Ms Goglia.

The footings, ground floor slab, commercial space and common areas were installed in the past few months.

Ms Goglia is overseeing the YWCA Hutt Street affordable housing development and heads a team of female leaders in project development, project management and project administration working across YWCA and its partners.

YWCA Australia Chief Executive Officer Michelle Phillips said: “It is fantastic to have these homes being built for women, led by women at a time of such great need.

“With a lack of affordable housing supply and ongoing pressure for housing, YWCA Australia is excited to be making progress on much-needed housing for women and their families.”

Data released this month shows a 63 per cent increase over two years in the number of SA women and children sleeping rough or in a car after receiving homelessness support.

The Hutt Street affordable housing development is being funded by YWCA, with support from the South Australian Government through a $5m no-interest loan.

The development is part of YWCA’s $67.6m housing investment pipeline, aiming to deliver 141 new homes for women and gender diverse people by February 2026 across four states.