On this page you will find information about:
What community housing is Regulation of the community housing sector How community housing is different from public housing What is a housing association? What is a housing cooperative? What community housing is
This is housing funded by the State Government and administered, maintained and managed by not-for-profit, community-based organisations.
These organisations usually provide housing for specific groups in the community, including:
- people who have experienced homelessness
- the aged
- people with disabilities
- survivors of domestic and family violence
- people on a low income.
The organisations manage:
- the selection of tenants from the Community Housing Customer Register
- collecting rent
- maintaining and repairing properties
- other issues associated with housing management - eg noise problems.
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Regulation of community housing
Housing SA’s Community Partnerships and Growth directorate is the Government agency responsible for regulating community housing organisations to make sure they comply with the relevant legislation. Community Partnerships and Growth doesn’t provide housing or manage tenancies directly.
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How community housing is different from public housing
Public and community housing do have similarities. Both offer medium to long term housing and rents set at affordable amounts. The main differences are around how these types of housing are provided to the public and their tenants.
Public housing is delivered, managed and maintained by Housing SA on behalf of the State Government. It is a significantly larger program than community housing. The Government is the landlord who manages all aspects of tenancy and property management.
Community housing is a much smaller program and the tenancy and property management is handled by not for profit organisations.
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What is a housing association?
Housing associations are often supported by a larger organisation - eg a church group. They provide housing for specific groups in the community who are disadvantaged.
The board of management is made up of volunteers selected by the association and is responsible for managing the tenancies, properties and financial aspects of the association.
Many associations have paid staff, and individual tenants are not expected to be involved in the administration of the association. The board manages the association on behalf of its tenants and is responsible for looking after the interests of their tenants.
Larger housing associations that have been assessed as able to manage tenants with very high needs with the capacity to expand are referred to as Preferred Growth Providers.
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What is a housing cooperative?
Housing cooperatives are managed by their members who are also tenants. They are usually a group of like-minded people with similar needs and interests. The cooperative acquires, manages and maintains the properties for the benefit of their tenants and tenants have the advantage of having a say in how the cooperative is managed.
As well as the responsibility of meeting all the conditions of the lease agreement, tenants have additional duties around the administration and management of the cooperative, including:
- attending regular general meetings
- attending training as required
- taking an active role in the group - eg treasurer, secretary
- attending specific sub-committee meetings - eg around maintenance
- helping with tenancy management, financial responsibilities and property management.
If you are housed by a housing cooperative and choose not to become a member of the cooperative, or have not yet been given full membership rights, you are referred to as a non-member tenant.
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More information
On this site List of housing associations List of housing cooperatives Applying for public housingDownload Community housing brochure (PDF 128KB)
For an alternative version of this document contact
Community Partnerships and Growth Contacts Community Partnerships and Growth Housing SA