Common Ground Port Augusta was developed in 2012, to address the shortage of housing for primarily aboriginal people who were homeless or at risk of homelessness by providing long-term housing with support services package to ensure successful housing and address the needs and goals set by tenants. CGPA program was designed around a "Housing First" model that was developed following the foundation
al principles:
· Initially provide people a high quality, stable and affordable housing option
· Establish accessible supports around people that respond to each individuals identified needs
· Create a sense of community through intentional "Place Making"
· Engage people in achieving worthwhile activity, including employment, education, training or volunteering
CGPA is managed through a 4-way partnership between Federal and State Government, Common Ground Adelaide and The Salvation Army, with The Salvation Army being responsible for providing support services to the people being housed at Common Ground Port Augusta across both sites. CGPA program has 2 sites each targeting different groups of people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness:
· Boston Street Site - 10 single bedroom and 5 two bedroom units of housing for people requiring affordable housing and who have low support needs (Commenced December 2012)
· Augusta Terrace Site - 20 single bedroom units of housing for people who require medium to high levels of support needs. This site has “Zero Tolerance” for drugs and alcohol and cannot be consumed or stored within this site. (Commenced September 2013)
Both Boston Street and Augusta Terrace sites have 24hr CCTV security monitoring with K9 Division contracted for Emergency and After-Hours Responses – to assist towards maintaining a peaceful and harmonious living environment providing all tenants the rights to feel safe and secure within their homes. CGPAs housing program is under National Rental Affordability Scheme and local program criteria which are:
· Must be 18 year old or over
· Must be in receipt of income (wages or government)
· Must be within NRAS
· Must be living within Port Augusta or surrounding areas (Quorn, Stirling North, Wilmington) for the
past 3months or longer
Whilst CGPA is long-term housing, it was not designed towards housing families and therefore is a ‘child free’ housing program. CGPA was the first rural project, proving to be a successful pilot program over the past 3years of operations
