South Australian Operations 2015-16 saw Common Ground Adelaide officially join the Housing Choices Australia Group, with the merger completed in March 2016. Common Ground Adelaide brings a strong presence and trusted brand in Adelaide CBD and Port Augusta to the group. Established in 2006, Common Ground is a proven specialist community housing provider that specialises in the placement and management of complex tenancies in a densely populated, mixed community setting. The in- house services offered to residents include: •• case-managed support and on-site health care to assist those in most need to progress towards independence •• community development initiatives and individualised programs that focus on the arts, psychosocial skills, independent living skills, and training and education to enhance economic participation. Case management and community development initiatives are funded under a service agreement with the South Australian Government. In late 2015, Common Ground commenced a quality assurance project to renew its Australian Service Excellence Standards accreditation as part of meeting its contractual obligations with the government. Re-accreditation was granted for a period of three years in May 2016. In preparation for the merger, a significant focus in 2015-16 has been on readying the governance, organisational processes, systems and staff for the transition of Common Ground into the group, and the establishment of a new national federated structure. A significant outcome of the merger has been Common Ground’s registration as a Tier 1 housing provider under the National Regulatory System for Community Housing. As part of the Housing Choices Group, Common Ground is now well positioned to take up growth opportunities in South Australia, such as tendering for
public-housing-stock management transfers. The first of these opportunities was taken up in August 2015. 2016 was also the 10th anniversary of Common Ground’s establishment, and celebratory events with staff, residents and stakeholders were held throughout the year. Highlights were the mid-year residents’ art exhibition and visit from Common Ground New York founder Rosanne Haggerty. Other highlights in 2015-16 included: •• hosting the Premier of South Australia and the State Cabinet at Light Square, with lunch catered for by the Common Ground cooking group •• the publishing of “Perfect - An Anthology of Poetry and Prose” a book written by Common Ground residents following a series of writing workshops •• establishing the Common Ground City Playgroup in partnership with Sturt Street Children’s Centre •• the 2015 Master Builders Association of SA - Excellence in Affordable and Public Housing Award for Common Ground’s Mellor Street building •• establishing the Common Ground Resident's Advisory Committee •• two Common Ground residents selected to play in a winning South Australian team at the Street Soccer Nationals event held in Sydney •• participating in the development of a Homelessness Social Impact Bond in partnership with the South Australian Government and the Hutt Street Centre.
Julie Duncan State Manager Common Ground Adelaide
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ANNUAL REPORT 2015–16
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