Supported Affordable ​Accommodation

​The Supported Affordable Accommodation Trust (SAA Trust) has been established to address the current and foreseeable shortage of affordable accommodation for vulnerable Australians. This comes at a time when accommodation cost pressures are increasing across the country and vulnerable people are at risk of being pushed to the margins.

The first home built by the SAA Trust had its residents move in on the 16th of January 2020 and since then an additional 10 sites are either in construction or with occupants living in them. 9 of the 11 sites have been made possible with a $6M grant from the Federal Government, while the other 2 are a combination of funds from key unit holder investors as well as temporary private loans. We plan to see all 11 sites occupied by early 2023 and are excited for those individuals moving in to be able to have their own home and more importantly their independence.

The SAA Trust is a growing organisation which is due to the support of both private and public sectors and has the potential to beneficially impact multiple areas of concern to communities across Australia such as:

• Alleviating the lack of affordable housing stock specifically designed for people with a disability who require supported accommodation, many of whom either can’t find supported accommodation or are in old housing stock not designed for their needs 
• Re-assuring parents – many now aging – who care for loved ones with a disability and who are concerned about what happens when they can no longer care and support them
• As more SAA Trust accommodation is made available, inadequately designed state-owned housing stock could also be freed and used to support low-income general housing needs 
• Apart from the construction jobs this initiative creates, it also provides for growth in new FTE jobs as disability support and aged care workers.

In terms Disability homes in Tasmania alone, it is estimated that at least a further 500 affordable two-bedroom units will be required in the disability sector over the next 5 years to meet the shortfall in supply of suitable homes. This also translates to at least another 1,000 FTE jobs in disability support.
 
With the 11 sites being completed by early 2023, and with the intent of building many more, we require more investor support – including from councils and governments – to meet the enormous demand and achieve the vision of affordable homes for all those who need them. Our not-for-profit entity SAA Tas Ltd has now received Public Benevolent Institution status which also allows us Deductible Gift Recipient Status with the Tax office allowing individuals to donate money towards affordable housing and receive a tax deduction. Further institutional investors, grants and donations will be sought to enable further growth in order to fund further building to meet the demand.
 
The SAA Trust has developed a business model that:

• Meets an important community needs to provide suitable long-term quality accommodation for those requiring support at very affordable rental rates.
• The concept is designed to provide reasonable financial returns of around 3%+ for institutional investors. The investment model can be offered to the general public when it eventually becomes a listed managed investment scheme;
• Where funding is provided through Grants and other gifts, the returns generated are re-invested towards additional housing
• Is a model that is equally transformable to cater for aged care as well as people with disabilities
• Allows the investor to sell their units in the trust to like-minded investors should they choose to exit

​Institutional investors with a community focus are being sought to become part of this discreet property trust.
 
To find out more about our business model and investment opportunities read Partners & Our Model or contact us via this website.
 
If you are interested in accommodation options, please talk to your disability support provider and ask them to contact us.