Delivering the most substantial support for South Australians experiencing or at risk of homelessness in a generation, the Malinauskas Labor government’s 2026–27 State Budget invests significantly in frontline services, housing and financial relief measures to help ensure people are not left behind.
The 2026-2027 State Budget includes an additional $6 million over four years for specialist homelessness services in Adelaide’s CBD, supporting the work of Catherine House, Hutt Street Centre and St Vincent de Paul.
This builds on more than $78 million already committed through South Australia’s Homelessness Alliance model, as well as targeted investments since 2022 including $9.5 million for Hutt Street Centre’s Aspire program.
The funding complements broader housing and homelessness initiatives, including a $20 million, 50-unit accommodation complex in Adelaide’s CBD for older women at risk of homelessness, a landmark stamp duty relief scheme for domestic, family and sexual violence (DFSV) survivors, and major investments in social and affordable housing.
From 4 June 2026, DFSV survivors are eligible for 100 per cent stamp duty relief and where applicable, the First Homeowner Grant, even if they have previously owned a home. The $4 million scheme, funded through the 2026-27 State Budget, is designed to ease the financial burden on women leaving dangerous situations and help them re-establish safe, independent housing.
Women who have vacated a home due to DFSV are eligible provided they have not received a material financial benefit from that property and meet standard eligibility requirements.
The 2026–27 Budget also advances the Government’s $2.5 billion housing package, including $110 million for 200 supported accommodation places for South Australian Housing Trust tenants with specialised needs and $140 million to renovate and return 300 vacant Housing Trust homes to use.
These initiatives support the delivery of 13,500 new homes per year while expanding access to safe, secure and affordable housing for vulnerable South Australians.
The additional homelessness funding will help frontline organisations maintain specialist support and reduce pressure on hospitals, emergency accommodation and correctional services.
The Government is also progressing an independent review of homelessness service commissioning to help ensure services remain agile, culturally informed, outcomes-focused and well-integrated across South Australia.
Demand for homelessness services continues to rise, particularly among older South Australians. Since 2019–20, the number of people aged 55 and over accessing homelessness support has increased by 34 per cent, while women accounted for 59 per cent of clients in 2024–25.
As put by Katrine Hildyard
Every South Australian deserves the dignity and security of a safe place to call home.
This Budget demonstrates our commitment to supporting people experiencing homelessness and helping ensure no South Australian is left behind.
We know homelessness is complex and often linked to interconnected issues including DFSV, mental health issues, housing insecurity and financial hardship. We also know that having a safe place to call home means a roof over a person’s head and a foundation from which they can thrive.
That’s why we are investing across the continuum, from crisis support and homelessness services to new housing and practical financial assistance.
Catherine House, Hutt Street Centre and St Vincent de Paul provide critical specialist care and support to people at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. This additional $6m will help them to keep being there for the people who need us most.
The Malinauskas Labor Government has worked hard to build a strong, connected service system, and this investment reinforces our commitment and builds on our investment in helping people access support when they need it.
Combined with our historic investments in social and affordable housing, including additional South Australian Housing Trust homes, and our significant $674m commitment to progress recommendations from the DFSV Royal Commission, these measures will help more women, men and families find the stability and opportunity that comes with having a home.
This Budget delivers substantial action on homelessness and housing because we understand the profound difference secure housing makes to people’s lives, health, wellbeing and future opportunities.
As put by Chris Burns, CEO Hutt Street Centre
Hutt St Centre is deeply grateful to the South Australian Government for this significant $2 million investment, which will help us continue delivering life-changing specialist homelessness services to people who need them most.
We have committed this flexible funding to our highly successful Aspire Program, a proven intervention that supports people experiencing chronic homelessness to secure housing, rebuild their lives, and achieve long-term stability.
This investment will support more than 71 South Australians experiencing chronic homelessness and deliver an estimated $3.2 million in avoided costs to crisis services and other public systems.
It comes at a critical time, with demand for Hutt St Centre services increasing by 42 per cent over the past four years, including a 77 per cent increase in women seeking support.
This new funding is a win for people experiencing homelessness and for the broader community, supporting better outcomes for individuals while reducing pressure on crisis systems and delivering value for taxpayers.
We look forward to continuing our strong partnership with the State Government to help prevent and end homelessness in South Australia.
