Social housing hub opens in emerging multigenerational community
MELBOURNE: Community housing and services provider Junction has opened its new $36m housing and services hub at Tonsley.
Thrive Tonsley comprises a mix of 50 studio-, one- and two-bedroom social homes across eight levels, a cafe and community spaces.
It is also the new head office for Junction’s workforce of around 400 staff.
Junction chief executive Maria Palumbo said the development provided much needed housing and support for South Australian residents.
“This is about delivering solutions for our community in a really practical and innovative way,” she said.
“From the ground up, the building reflects Junction’s vision of an integrated housing and services offering within a growing, thriving neighbourhood. It shows who we are as an organisation and where we are heading, strengthening the support we provide to communities while expanding our impact.”
The social housing development has been supported by $15.2m from the federal government’s Social Housing Accelerator Program (SHAP), delivered in partnership with the state government and community housing providers.
A second stage of the Thrive project is also well underway, comprising a $35.3m build-to-rent development with 63 affordable apartments.
It is supported by a $25.6m investment from the federal government’s $10bn Housing Australia Future Fund, and is due for completion in April.
Ms Palumbo said the second stage of the development would support a growing “missing middle” cohort of residents.
“These are often young people who are in good, stable work but still can’t get a foot in the door of the housing market,” she said.
Junction has partnered with Schiavello and Brown Falconer to deliver the two stages of its Thrive Tonsley development.
Ms Palumbo said the location of the development, adjacent to the Tonsley Innovation District, aligned strongly with Junction’s focus on “innovation, connection and placemaking”.
“This is a precinct built on transformation and future thinking, which makes it a perfect fit for us,” she said.
“Junction has risen to meet the changing needs of the community for almost 50 years, and here we will continue to evolve to positively impact communities for the next 50 and beyond.”
Housing Minister Nick Champion welcomed Junction’s latest milestone.
“Tonsley’s transformation from an industrial site into a thriving community hub is a great example of good urban renewal and Junction should be proud of what they’ve delivered here,” he said.
“Thrive Tonsley shows what’s possible when governments and the community housing sector work together to get homes built for South Australians who need them.”