In the face of a growing housing crisis on the Fleurieu Peninsula, a powerful local collaboration is quietly changing lives — one home at a time.
The Fleurieu Accommodation Project, launched in August 2024, is a community-led response to rising homelessness and housing insecurity across the region. Bringing together local organisations, businesses and volunteers, the initiative provides safe, supported housing for some of the Fleurieu’s most vulnerable residents.
At its heart, the project is simple but impactful: secure properties, furnish them with care and provide the support people need to rebuild their lives.
Currently, the project manages three head-leased homes through Junction, each designed to meet a specific need. One provides emergency crisis accommodation for individuals and families in urgent situations. Another offers shared housing for women aged over 55 — a group increasingly at risk of homelessness. The third supports young people aged 15 to 24, helping them transition to independence through stable, shared accommodation.
Behind these homes is a strong network of local partners, including the Fleurieu Community Foundation, Community Bank Fleurieu (Bendigo Bank), Zonta Club of the Fleurieu Peninsula, Elders Victor Harbor and Rotary volunteers. Together, they have transformed empty houses into welcoming, fully equipped homes — right down to furniture, kitchenware and essential household items.
“Community Bank Fleurieu is extremely proud to support this project. We are more than just a bank — we are making a difference across the Fleurieu,” says Alison Burr, Company Manager, Fleurieu Community Enterprises Ltd.
It’s a model built on collaboration, local knowledge and a shared commitment to action. And it’s working.
Over its first year, the project has supported 21 people — including families and children — many of whom were facing housing instability or crisis. Of those, 20 have already transitioned into long-term, affordable housing, a significant outcome in a region where rental availability remains tight.
But the impact goes far beyond numbers. For families moving out of overcrowded motel rooms, the change has been immediate. Access to a proper kitchen, laundry and living space has reduced stress, improved health, and restored a sense of normality. Children who once had no room to play are now riding bikes, laughing and reconnecting with routines that support their development.
For older women, shared housing has offered not just affordability, but connection. Residents have reported reduced loneliness, improved mental wellbeing and renewed confidence as they rebuild their lives with support around them.
While for young people, the transitional housing model is creating a pathway forward — helping them develop life skills, build rental histories and move towards independence in a safe and supportive environment.
Importantly, the project has proved to be low-risk and sustainable. There have been no incidents of property damage, tenancies have been maintained, and participants are actively engaging with support services to plan their next steps.
This success is underpinned by a flexible and innovative approach to housing. Through a head-leasing model — where properties are leased and managed in partnership with Junction — the project has been able to deliver immediate housing solutions without the need for large-scale infrastructure investment.
It’s a model that not only reduces costs, but also offers a pathway for expansion, with the potential to scale up as more properties become available.
Just as importantly, the project is building an evidence base for what works. By capturing both data and lived experiences, it is contributing to a broader understanding of how community-led, place-based solutions can address complex social challenges like homelessness.
At the centre of it all are the stories of the people whose lives have been changed.
One woman, previously living in a tent while managing complex health issues, is now safely housed and reconnecting with her family. Another, who had been staying in a storage shed after leaving a domestic violence situation, has found stability and renewed relationships with her children and grandchildren.
For many, the project has provided more than just a roof — it has restored dignity, safety and hope.
The importance of community involvement cannot be overstated. This initiative has been driven by local organisations and individuals who understand the unique challenges of the Fleurieu region and are committed to finding practical solutions.
By combining financial support, property access, volunteer effort and professional services, the Fleurieu Accommodation Project demonstrates what is possible when a community comes together with purpose.
As housing pressures continue to affect regional areas across Australia, this local initiative stands as a powerful example of how collaboration, compassion and innovation can create real and lasting change.
Because sometimes, the most meaningful solutions start not with policy, but with people — working together to ensure that everyone has a place to call home.
Photo provided: Alison Burr (Community Bank Fleurieu), Leanne Keach (Elders Real Estate Victor Harbor), Julie Irwin (Zonta Club of the Fleurieu Peninsula), Tammy Elvin (Junction) and Carol Gaston (Fleurieu Community Foundation).