Inaugural affordable housing development for women celebrates ‘topping out’ milestone in Adelaide

A $15.7 million affordable housing development prioritising women-led families impacted by domestic and family violence reached a significant construction milestone in the heart of Adelaide today.

The 24 long-term, affordable rental apartments are being developed over seven floors on Hutt Street by Australia’s only national specialist women’s housing provider YWCA Australia.

A topping-out ceremony celebrated the YWCA Australia development reaching its maximum height of 28m. To mark the milestone, a tree symbolising growth, strength and longevity of the development’s construction and the community it will serve, was raised by crane to the top floor.

On track for completion in early 2025, the YWCA Australia development of one, two and three-bedroom apartments will become home to up to 57 residents - women and their families - priced out of the rental market. Priority tenancy will be given to women-led families who have experienced domestic and family violence.

It is the first project of its kind being built by YWCA Australia in South Australia, as the national housing crisis continues to disproportionately affect single-women-led families, particularly those impacted by domestic and family violence.1

The development is being funded by YWCA Australia, with support from the South Australian Government through a $5 million no-interest loan.

1.Nationally, YWCA provides nearly 150,000 nights of affordable accommodation for women each year - almost 70 per cent of these women have experienced family violence, with a lack of affordable and available housing inhibiting women’s options to leave unsafe homes.