Release date: 20/02/23

SA Housing Authority’s Port Adelaide customer services office re-opens today after staff who were deployed to help with the River Murray Flood relief efforts return to their community.

Human Services Minister Nat Cook thanked staff as the Authority transitions to a recovery support role.

More than 40 Authority staff, including five from the Port Adelaide office, worked in one of three Emergency Relief Centres in Berri, Mannum and Murray Bridge to help flood affected families get the support they needed to stay safe and secure during the flood.

Also staffing the ERCs, were 14 public sector employees from across government and 28 staff from NGOs.

During the River Murray Flood Emergency Relief:

  • More than 2000 households attended an ERC
  • More 500 Personal Hardship Grants were distributed, worth $343,700
  • 119 people have sheltered in emergency accommodation
  • 63 instances of Private Rental Assistance were given, worth $201,250
  • 337 Travel Relief Grants worth $101,100 have been issued

While the Port Adelaide office was temporarily closed, SA Housing customers were able to access services at the Croydon office.

Quotes

Attributable to Nat Cook

I’d like to thank the Port Adelaide community for their patience and understanding while the local Housing office has been closed so that our staff could support the flood impacted community in the Riverland and the Mid-Murray.
Everyone involved has worked around the clock to keep our river communities safe but also to continue to support those with housing needs locally.
I am delighted we can now re-open our Port Adelaide office and resume face-to-face services with our customers.

I’d like to thank our Housing SA staff who time and time again, respond to disasters and leave their families behind to go and work where they are needed the most. They do it willingly to keep their fellow South Australians safe.

Attributable to Mary Patetsos, SA Housing Trust Board Presiding Member

I am incredibly proud to be part of an organisation that stands solidly with South Australians during some of the worst moments of their lives.

Every time there is a disaster in South Australia, SA Housing staff are there, setting up Emergency Relief Centres, and providing safety and assistance to the community.

Our staff and our NGOs work who run our ERCs are ever-reliable and when called upon, are ready and willing to help.