City Housing Diversity

We spend a lot of time around high-quality modern apartment and townhouse buildings in the Square Mile during the normal course of our business of developing, selling and leasing our clients' properties. However, the city also has a long history of providing accommodation to people that the private property market can't accommodate, particularly lower income groups of all ages. We think this is important because a city's vitality depends on the diversity of its residents.

One of the most recent housing initiatives is "Common Ground Adelaide Ltd". Set up by the SA government and private sponsors, this organisation aims to provide good quality affordable rental housing to low income people and those at risk of homelessness. It mirrors the not for profit common ground project in New York founded by former Adelaide "thinker in residence" Rosanne Haggerty.

Their first project was completed in November 2007 and is known as "Common Ground on Franklin". It consists of 39 units (15 one bed and 21 studios) built above the central bus station.

The second project rapidly nearing completion is the re-habilitation and extension of a heritage listed building in Light Square which will contain 60 self contained apartments, Common Ground's head office, communal facilities, and health/welfare/vocational support services for residents.