The past financial year has been a significant one for The Cottage Homes’ property portfolio, with continued investment in our existing communities alongside two major projects that will expand the number of older South Australians we can support.
Overseeing this work is our Property, Projects and Maintenance Committee, which helps ensure our properties are maintained to a high standard while supporting the organisation’s plans for future growth.
Investing in our existing homes
Maintaining and improving our existing properties remains an important priority for The Cottage Homes.
Throughout the year, several major and partial refurbishments were undertaken across individual units, including upgrades to kitchens and bathrooms to ensure they continue to meet our standards and the expectations of our tenants.
Regular assessments of sites and individual units also continued throughout the year, helping to identify maintenance requirements, minimise risks and ensure our homes remain well maintained for the older South Australians who live in them.
Expanding into Adelaide’s north
One of the most significant additions to our property portfolio was the purchase of a site at Davoren Park comprising 14 established units.
The acquisition marks The Cottage Homes’ expansion into Adelaide’s northern suburbs and provides an opportunity to progressively refurbish the existing homes to bring them up to our standards.
Work on the first units commenced during the year, representing an important step in increasing the supply of affordable, secure rental housing available to older South Australians.
Our first regional community is taking shape
The year also saw significant progress towards another milestone for The Cottage Homes – the development of our first regional housing community at Yankalilla.
The Cottage Homes signed a contract with Sarah Constructions for the delivery of 14 new modular, one-bedroom homes, which will be located on land leased from Club Fleurieu.
The development responds to an identified need for more affordable rental housing for older people on the southern Fleurieu, where limited long-term rental supply and affordability are placing increasing pressure on older people living on the Age Pension.
The new homes have been designed by John Byleveld Architects and will include private rear courtyards, on-site car parking and landscaped communal areas.
Together, Yankalilla and Davoren Park represent 28 additional homes and an important expansion of The Cottage Homes’ reach beyond our established metropolitan communities.
Recognising many years of service
The year also marked the retirement of our Honorary Architect, Graham Hardy, following many years of hugely valuable service to The Cottage Homes.
Graham has provided considerable knowledge, expertise and guidance to the Property, Projects and Maintenance Committee over many years, and his contribution has been greatly valued. We sincerely thank him for his service and wish him well in his retirement.
The Committee also acknowledges the ongoing contribution of retired lawyer Jamie Botten, whose expertise and support continue to assist its work.
As The Cottage Homes grows, the work of maintaining, improving and expanding our property portfolio remains fundamental to our mission: providing affordable, secure rental housing that enables eligible older South Australians to continue living independently in a community setting.