Studio Purpose

 

STUDIO PURPOSE

EIGHT youths at risk of homelessness in the Murray Bridge area can now be housed in modern apartments after local agencies and community partners worked together to make the Studio Purpose vision a reality. Habitat for Humanity led the construction phase of the innovative project's first stage in 2021 and received broad community support to transform a vacant South Australian Housing Authority duplex into four units, thanks to contributions from the trades sector, construction businesses and volunteers. Community contributions allowed the development to be completed under-budget and ahead of schedule, with the complete apartments handed over in August 2021 for ac.care to welcome the first tenants as part of an innovative housing and support initiative. A second vacant South Australian Housing Authority property was made available for the project's second phase in 2023, with Habitat for Humanity again leading the construction with strong support from the community. The property, which features four units, was officially handed over to ac.care in February 2024.

DONATE: Anyone can make a tax-deductible donation online to help ac.care support Studio Purpose tenants HERE.

ONGOING SUPPORT: Call the ac.care Murraylands Centre on 8531 4900 to discuss any proposed ongoing support for the youth homelessness service.

Project Partners
Habitat for Humanity Australia, Habitat for Humanity South Australia, Anglicare SA, Rural City of Murray Bridge, headspace Murray Bridge, SA Housing Authority

COMMUNITY PROJECT: Murray Bridge volunteer Steve Brown, Habitat for Humanity’s Andrew Hurst and ac.care Murraylands Homelessness Service manager Thanuja Hiripitiyage welcome progress on the Studio Purpose development in Murray Bridge, which will provide four apartments for youths at risk of homelessness in the region.
COMMUNITY PROJECT: Murray Bridge volunteer Steve Brown, Habitat for Humanity’s Andrew Hurst and ac.care Murraylands Homelessness Service manager Thanuja Hiripitiyage welcome progress on the Studio Purpose development in Murray Bridge, which will provide four apartments for youths at risk of homelessness in the region.

 

LATEST NEWS

- February 2024 -

Second block of four Studio Purpose apartments for youths at risk of homelessness in Murray Bridge completed and handed over to ac.care

LIVES of vulnerable youths in Murray Bridge with be turned around after the community has worked together to develop a second set of four units to provide housing for youths at risk of homelessness.

Charity Habitat for Humanity South Australia has led the construction phase of the project led by ac.care, converting two disused duplexes provided by the South Australian Housing Authority into four units suitable for youth.

Donors, building material suppliers, tradespeople and businesses, along with volunteers, have combined their efforts to complete the construction phase of the second Studio Purpose housing project.

Habitat for Humanity South Australia executive officer Louise Hay said construction was achieved with significant support from Impact100 SA, Morialta Trust, Harvey Foundation, Shape, The Rural City of Murray Bridge and private donors, along with many local volunteers and contributors.

"Community collaboration has been the cornerstone of Habitat for Humanity's involvement in addressing the critical need for safe accommodation for at-risk youth in Murray Bridge,” Ms Hay said.

“Through the dedication of donors, volunteers and partners, we've created not just four homes, but havens of hope and opportunity."

The property will be managed by Believe Housing Australia to allow ac.care to provide housing and intensive support to transform the lives of youths at risk of homelessness.

A community celebration was held at the site on Wednesday, February 21 to mark completion of the second set of four homes, with more than 50 supporters in attendance.

READ THE FULL STORY

- November 2023 -

Second Studio Purpose housing project under construction in Murray Bridge

PARTNERS in an innovative project to provide housing and intensive support to transform the lives of youths at risk of homelessness have started development of a second block of apartments in Murray Bridge to double the capacity of the initiative.

Regional agency ac.care is leading the bold initiative and continues to support four young people living in the first block of Studio Purpose apartments after the keys to the building were handed over in 2021 following a broad community effort to convert a disused South Australian Housing Authority duplex into four apartments.

A second property has now been made available by the housing authority and conversion of a second disused building into four apartments is under way with volunteers and suppliers of construction materials and skills which generously support the community construction project.

The South Australia’s branch of international non-profit organisation Habitat for Humanity will drive the construction phase of the project thanks to the substantial funding from Impact100 SA, Morialta Trust, Harvey Foundation, The Rural City of Murray Bridge and other private donors.

Habitat has a global mission to “bring people together to build homes, communities and hope” and is working with the project partners and supporters from the community and business sector to convert the second building after the success of the previous project.

Once complete, ac.care will work with partners to support eight young people aged 15-23 who receive an independent income across the two properties, which each feature four self-contained and fully-furnished apartments.

READ THE FULL STORY

- August 2021 -

Four vulnerable young people housed and supported as Studio Purpose vision becomes reality

FOUR young people at risk of homelessness have somewhere safe to live and be supported in Murray Bridge after a community building project vision became a reality on Thursday.

Supporters of ac.care’s Studio Purpose gathered at the Murray Bridge site as Habitat for Humanity South Australia celebrated the completion of construction of the homes with suppliers, volunteers and donors.

Habitat for Humanity has worked with the Murray Bridge construction sector over the past year to oversee conversion of a disused South Australian Housing Authority duplex into four apartments.

It is the culmination of a five year project after ac.care identified the need for purpose-built accommodation and support for youth at risk of homelessness in the region due to a lack of affordable housing.

Project partners Habitat for Humanity, South Australian Housing Authority, AnglicareSA, Rural City of Murray Bridge and Headspace have worked with ac.care to develop the innovative solution.

More than 50 people gathered at the site last week for a COVID-Safe celebration as the construction phase came to an end and the apartments were handed over by Habitat to Humanity to property manager AnglicareSA.

Ngarrindjeri and Kokatha man Harley Hall opened the event with a traditional smoke cleansing ceremony to “bring positive energy to the homes from the land and ancestors of the area”.

Habitat for Humanity South Australia executive director Ben Sarre said handing over the Studio Purpose apartments, providing welcoming places for vulnerable young people to live, was a significant moment for the organisation after the eight month construction project.

READ THE FULL STORY

HOUSING SUPPORT: SA Housing Authority Adelaide and Southern Country regional manager Kerrie McCann, ac.care Murraylands homelessness program manager Thanuja Hiripitiyage and SA Housing Authority customers and services executive director Bronwyn Dodd at the Studio Purpose handover.
HOUSING SUPPORT: SA Housing Authority Adelaide and Southern Country regional manager Kerrie McCann, ac.care Murraylands homelessness program manager Thanuja Hiripitiyage and SA Housing Authority customers and services executive director Bronwyn Dodd at the Studio Purpose handover.

- June 2021 -

Studio Purpose community construction project to support youths at risk of homelessness in Murray Bridge nears completion

A MURRAY Bridge project to convert a disused South Australian Housing Authority property into four units for youths at risk of homelessness is nearing completion to allow the first tenants to move in within months.

Broad community support has helped make the bold vision for the multi-agency Studio Purpose project a reality, with businesses, tradespeople, service clubs and others contributing funds, labour, supplies, furnishings and other donations for the major renovation.

Habitat for Humanity project manager Andrew Hurst has been supervising the not-for-profit organisation’s oversight of the construction phase of the project, working with tradespeople and other community members who have contributed to the construction project.

“We've had plumbers and electricians that have come in and donated their time, local suppliers have donated a lot of materials and the kitchen fit-outs have been donated by four different cabinet makers,” he said.

“When I talk to any businesses about it, they understand the reason to be involved with the focus on homeless youth and it will be really rewarding to see the result of people who really need it having access to a home.”

The Studio Purpose project extends beyond accommodation to include broad support to help vulnerable young people reach their potential.

ac.care Murraylands homelessness program manager Thanuja Hiripitiyage has led the project from the initial vision, securing partnerships with other organisations and government agencies after ac.care identified the issue of young people being unable to find suitable and affordable accommodation in the Murray Bridge area.

ac.care will work with project partners to support tenants and develop strategies to help youths transition from the units to reunification with families, private rental arrangements or other housing options, along with a focus on building a more hopeful future.

“It’s been very exciting to see the project progress with the massive improvement in the properties and we are very grateful for all the support the project has received with the community getting behind the project and Habitat for Humanity leading construction,” she said.

Church groups, service clubs, schools and other donors had contributed items to furnish the units once construction is completed and Ms Hiripitiyage said she looked forward to seeing the final result and welcoming the first tenants.

“We are very proud to have this new opportunity in Murray Bridge for young people and want to thank everyone who has contributed,” she said.

The partnership also involves AnglicareSA, South Australian Housing Authority, headspace Murray Bridge and Rural City of Murray Bridge.

Volunteer Steve Bown has been inspired by the diverse contributions from the community.

“It's been amazing to see it take shape and we can now see the four separate units with all the plaster boarding and other elements done,” he said.

“We want to get a shelter over the heads of homeless kids and that's the ultimate thing, but to get all of the businesses in Murray Bridge to come on board and supply so much stuff, free of charge - tradesmen, contractors and others that have just said 'yep, we'll do it for you' – is a big plus for the businesses in Murray Bridge – I’m pretty stoked about that.”

Unskilled volunteers are still needed for the final phases of construction, including the yard and general property clean-up, fencing, landscaping and other tasks, along with materials and labour for development of a communal garden area.

To contribute to the construction phase of the project, call local Habitat for Humanity representative Andrew Hurst on 0412794460, email ahurst@habitat.org.au or visit accare.org.au/studiopurpose

Donations for remaining construction costs can be made to www.givenow.com.au/youthhousingmurraybridge and items for furnishing the units can be provided to ac.care by calling 8531 4900.

UNITED: Studio Purpose project partner representatives Rural City of Murray Bridge deputy mayor
Wayne Thorley, draftsman Steve Brown, Murray Bridge Habitat for Humanity representative Bob Martin,
Habitat for Humanity South Australian executive director Ben Sarre, AnglicareSA housing assets and
maintenance manager Garry Spurling, ac.care homelessness and community services senior manager
Trish Spark, SA Housing Authority Southern Country regional manager Kerrie McCann, ac.care
Murraylands homelessness program manager Thanuja Hiripitiyage, SA Housing Authority Southern
Country maintenance field manager Scott Wells and ac.care chief executive officer Shane Maddocks at
the vacant property in Murray Bridge that will be converted to four units for vulnerable youth.
UNITED: Studio Purpose project partner representatives Rural City of Murray Bridge deputy mayor Wayne Thorley, draftsman Steve Bown, Murray Bridge Habitat for Humanity representative Bob Martin, Habitat for Humanity South Australian executive director Ben Sarre, AnglicareSA housing assets and maintenance manager Garry Spurling, ac.care homelessness and community services senior manager Trish Spark, SA Housing Authority Southern Country regional manager Kerrie McCann, ac.care Murraylands homelessness program manager Thanuja Hiripitiyage, SA Housing Authority Southern Country maintenance field manager Scott Wells and ac.care chief executive officer Shane Maddocks at the vacant property in Murray Bridge that will be converted to four units for vulnerable youth.

- June 2020 -

Housing project to provide accommodation and support for young people at risk of homelessness in Murray Bridge

A BOLD cross-agency initiative is being led by ac.care to deliver accommodation and support for young people at risk of homelessness in Murray Bridge.

Significant funds have been raised to make the vision a reality with a vacant property secured, partnerships formalised and a broad program designed to address the needs of young people.

The community, along with individuals and businesses in the construction sector, is being urged to support the initiative to convert a disused South Australian Housing Authority building into four self-contained and fully-furnished units for short-term lease by youths aged 15-21.

The Studio Purpose project extends beyond accommodation to include broad support to help vulnerable young people reach their potential.

South Australia’s branch of international non-profit organisation Habitat for Humanity is driving the construction phase of the project to convert the building from a duplex to units.

“The project is aimed at addressing a shortage of safe accommodation for young people in the area, but is about much more than a warm bed and welcoming space, with a focus on health and wellbeing, education, development, connection and engagement,” ac.care Murraylands homelessness program manager Thanuja Hiripitiyage said.

She said the project was developed through cooperation with other organisations and government agencies after ac.care identified an issue with young people being unable to find suitable and affordable accommodation in the Murray Bridge area.

“This has contributed to some young people sleeping rough in inappropriate living conditions, adding further risk in the lives of vulnerable youths,” Ms Hiripitiyage said.
The partnership also involves AnglicareSA, South Australian Housing Authority, headspace Murray Bridge and Rural City of Murray Bridge.

“We want to reduce youth homelessness in the region by building on our existing services and creating positive partnerships with key stakeholders to provide holistic support to youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness,” Ms Hiripitiyage said.

Project partners will deliver services to tenants via agreements either through home visits or with external priority appointments and develop exit strategies to help youths transition from the units to reunification with families, private rental arrangements or other housing options.