As we move into a new season, the idea of new beginnings is something many of us naturally reflect on. While fresh starts are often associated with younger years, Cottage Homes CEO Ben Sarre says some of the most meaningful new chapters can happen later in life.
“For someone moving into a Cottage Home, it means they have somewhere to call home for as long as they need,” Ben said. “They are joining a community of people in a similar stage of life, with security and peace of mind.”
Across Cottage Homes communities, these new beginnings are happening every day. For many residents, moving into affordable housing is about far more than a roof over their heads. It is about regaining independence, stability, dignity and connection after periods of uncertainty and financial pressure.
“Our work now feels more critical than ever,” Ben said. “The feedback we are receiving from people expressing interest is that they have simply been priced out of the rental market. Older single people living on the Age Pension are especially vulnerable because rent can take such a huge proportion of their income.”
Cottage Homes keeps rent at a lower portion of the Age Pension to ensure residents still have enough money left over to live. “We offer something genuinely affordable for people on the pension,” Ben explained. “That peace of mind makes an enormous difference.”
This year also marks a significant new beginning for Cottage Homes itself.
The organisation is entering an important period of growth, adding 28 new homes across two new communities at Yankalilla and Davoren Park over the next 12 months, in what is the largest expansion in many years and a major milestone in Cottage Homes’ 150+ year history.
“We have been searching for ways to add new homes for a long time,” Ben said. “Now we are adding two new sites, in two geographical locations we haven’t reached before. It really feels like the start of a new chapter for our organisation.”
At Yankalilla, Cottage Homes is preparing to deliver 14 new modular homes on land leased from Club Fleurieu, the first land lease arrangement of its kind in the organisation’s history.
The project came about after the local southern Fleurieu community identified a growing need for affordable housing for older people and approached Cottage Homes for support.
“What excites me most is responding directly to a community need,” Ben said. “Working closely with a local community that is crying out for help for their older members is really satisfying.”
The innovative modular homes are currently under construction offsite and are expected to welcome residents by the end of the year.
“It will allow people who have strong, long-term connections to the southern Fleurieu community to stay in the area they know and love,” Ben said. “That local connection becomes increasingly important as people age.”
At the same time, Cottage Homes is also establishing a new community at Davoren Park, marking the organisation’s first presence in Adelaide’s northern suburbs.
The site includes 14 established single-storey units which are currently undergoing upgrades and refurbishment works before welcoming new residents.
“We’ve been searching for the right opportunity in the northern suburbs for more than five years,” Ben said. “This gives older South Australians another choice about where they can live and allows people to stay close to their existing support networks and community connections.”
For Ben, the growth of Cottage Homes is deeply connected to the organisation’s long history and purpose.
“As an organisation, I often reflect on the legacy that began more than 150 years ago,” he said. “In many ways, we are still responding to the same need today – helping older people who are struggling to access affordable housing.”
Ben describes himself as “a steward for a short period of time” within the much larger history of Cottage Homes and sees the current growth as building on the strong foundation established by those who came before.
Alongside housing, Ben says community remains central to what Cottage Homes provides.
“Neighbours become friends,” he said. “People look out for one another, share companionship and feel a sense of belonging. Our volunteer visitors are an important part of that too, helping provide social connection and support.”
As Cottage Homes grows into new areas, Ben says support from the broader community will be essential.
“We want people to get on board and be part of this next chapter with us,” he said. “Growth like this is expensive, and we are always looking for organisations, volunteers and supporters who can help us continue creating these new beginnings for older South Australians.”
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This article comes from our latest newsletter where we share stories of the new beginnings for some of our tenants. Click here to read the full newsletter.