FAQ
- What is Common Ground Adelaide?
- Common Ground Adelaide Limited (CGA) is a housing company established to provide affordable rental housing to low income working people and people who are homeless or who are at-risk of becoming homeless.
Common Ground is a not for profit company, that seeks to increase affordable rental housing through support of the government and corporate sector.
- Who funds Common Ground Adelaide?
- The State Government and the Commonwealth Government have provided funding for Common Ground to purchase buildings. We also receive State funding to operate our support services. Individuals and members of the Business community around Adelaide and interstate have also provided funding or donations to enable Common Ground to operate. We are a Tax Deductible Recipient, which means cash donations are fully tax deductible.
- What is a supportive housing program?
- A Supportive Housing Program is one where the staff actively work with residents to identify personal goals provide opportunity to access services and activities that will improve their quality of life and reduce incidents of returning to homelessness.
Each tenant will have a Service Coordinator assigned to them to plan what services they require to ensure a successful tenancy and to provide opportunities to improve and enhance their health and wellbeing.
- How many houses does Common Ground Adelaide have?
- Common Ground on Franklin has 37 rental units. Common Ground Staff are located on site and there is a common room for tenant meetings, and activities. Common Ground on Franklin opened in February 2008.
CGA owns the Sands & McDougall building in Light Sq, and plans to have 60 units available by late 2009.
CGA is also expanding to Port Augusta. With joint State and Federal Government funding, we will have 40 units to support individuals living in the area. Consultation is underway with services in Port Augusta, with plans for this site to be operational mid 2009.
- How do I know if I can apply for housing with Common Ground?
- To be eligible for housing, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a single adult aged 18 years or older
- Be a resident of South Australia
- Not own a residential property
- Be able to pay rent
- Have an independent income, e.g. be receiving Centrelink payments, or working, or both
- Your income must not be greater than $20,347 per year
- Be able to abide by the Tenancy Agreement
- Be able to live independently – not need in-home care
- Be willing to be involved in the Common GroundCommunity which is about contributing to the program, either by sharing your ideas, taking part in or leading community activities.
- What happens after I put in my application for housing?
- Common Ground Adelaide will maintain a housing application wait list. Applications are recorded in order of the date they are received.
Before you are offered housing with Common Ground we will contact you for a housing interview. We may also request you provide us with the contact details of two other people to be a referee for you.
Following the housing assessment, applications will be placed in the following categories:
- At Risk
- single adults who are homeless, at risk of becoming homeless, rough sleepers, boarding house residents, shelter and transitional housing users, couch surfers
- At Risk with complex Needs- single adults with a diagnosed substance use disorder, serious mental illness or a disability
- Low Income- single adults earning up to $20347 per year, including people who are unemployed, studying, part-time and full-time workers - How are tenants selected for housing with Common Ground?
- The Common Ground housing model needs to ensure an appropriate mix of tenants in its buildings at all times. We try to keep a mix of tenancies which means at least half of the tenants are low-income workers or students and the other half are people who have experienced homelessness
Where possible, CGA will house applicants in order of the date they applied and then by date assessed.
However, CGA at its own discretion can offer housing to any applicant who has met eligibility and assessment criteria.
- How much rent will I pay?
- Rent is based on 30% of the total gross (before tax) weekly income. If the tenant is eligible for Rent Assistance, this is included in the rent.
- How long can I stay with Common Ground?
- Each tenant first signs a three month probationary lease agreement. Provided you comply with the lease agreement, you will then be signed up to a Periodic Lease Agreement. This in effect allows you to stay at Common Ground for as long as you need to.
However, if you decide you want to move, we can assist you to make sure you are moving into affordable and appropriate housing.
If your income increases above the currently limit, we will work with you to find other appropriate housing. This may include private rental housing or even home ownership.
- Do I stop seeing my existing support workers when I am housed with Common Ground?
- No. If you have a good relationship with your existing support workers we encourage you to keep in contact with them. The Service Coordinators at Common Ground will act as ‘case managers’ which means they will speak with your support workers to make sure we work together in your best interests.
However, at any time where you feel you need some extra support the Service Coordinators will be there to help you. We can refer you to services that can provide you with assistance, but only if you agree to this.
- What other activities happen at Common Ground?
- Common Ground is about providing people with the opportunity to experience a range of activities. This can include photography, involvement in the Arts, gardening, cooking, further education, employment, volunteering, or just receiving information about the many services and programs available in the community.