Independent Units
The co-operative currently manages 131 independent one and two bedroom units located on 38 different sites, one 10 room semi-independent accommodation facility and our office.
The majority of the independent living units are large homes that have been converted into generally two one bedroom self contained units.
As the two local government council areas that the co-operative provided accommodation in (namely the Prospect City Council and the Enfield area of the Port Adelaide Enfield Council) all had fairly large blocks, the co-operative has been able to build another one or two units in the “backyard” of most of these properties.
This “infill” development is separated from the house by landscaped car parking.
The co-operative also has some purpose built groups of two bedroom units.
All accommodation is on ground floors (there are no two storey developments), is close to shopping centres and public transport.
Rent is based on either household income or property value.
Rent which is based on household income provides an affordability guarantee – the lower the income, the lower the rent. Household Income is the gross income (that is, before tax) of each person residing in the house added together.
Rent which is based on property value is more commonly referred to as “Ceiling Rent”. The rent is comparable to “market rent” and ensures that that the co-operative’s rent on its properties are no more or less than that of private accommodation of a comparable standard.
That said, the rent is higher for higher valued properties and lower for lower valued properties.
The co-operative calculates the rent based on both methods and charges its members the lowest of the two calculations.
In additional to rent the co-operative charges a small levy on each tenancy to cover the cost for water usage.