A significant funding commitment from the State Government will enable UnitingSA to continue to provide vital accommodation to vulnerable families.

Peppertree Place has secured funding from both the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department for Housing from the South Australian Housing Trust (SAHT).

Since it opened in 2023, Peppertree Place has provided temporary emergency accommodation for families facing homelessness as part of an initiative to help find pathways into permanent housing.

The program has been overwhelmingly successful, with over 90% of those supported by Peppertree Place able to move on to secure long-term housing.

“The ongoing funding recognises that this model is working. It will enable us to continue to provide housing for families who urgently need somewhere safe to stay,” says Jenny Hall, CEO.

Peppertree Place provides an alternative for families who would otherwise be in motel rooms, and is a partnership between SAHT, the Adelaide North West Homelessness Alliance (ANWHA) and UnitingSA, with UnitingSA acting as the lead agency.

Peppertree Place is located in Adelaide’s northern suburbs and provides accommodation in eight self-contained units.

“The units have fully equipped kitchens, bathrooms, separate bedrooms and a family living area,” says Ms Hall.

“They provide a safer, more suitable environment for families while we help them to secure a more permanent home.”

Unlike motel accommodation, Peppertree Place, gives tenants access to a more homely environment with the ability to cook their own meals and bring their pets with them.

“You can’t underestimate how important it is for a family in crisis to keep their pet with them. In fact, more than half of our families do bring pets with them into our accommodation,” says Ms Hall.

An evaluation of the program shows that Peppertree Place is helping to improve client wellbeing and safety. Clients said they felt safer after entering the program and also reported improvements in their personal wellbeing.

Another strength of the program is the opportunity for participants to engage with a range of wrap-around support services. A high number of clients engaged with services including counselling, mental health support, and employment services.

“It is all about helping people to rebuild their lives and get back on their feet again.”

Watch the video to learn more about how Peppertree Place is making a difference.