Tiny homes are giving big hope to at-risk Adelaide teens

A community of one-bedroom pods in Adelaide will help vulnerable young people transition to independent living. 

The $3 million government project has been described as a “small village” of 10 self-contained tiny homes. 

The community is specifically designed for teenagers aged 16 to 18 years old who are transitioning out of the care system. 

Each house will come with its own bedroom, kitchenette and living room, all contained in a compact 17-square-metre pod. 

Affordable housing provider Junction is collaborating with the state government on the project. 

“Young people in care don’t always have family who check in on them, that’s the hardest part,” said Emmarita, a 24-year-old entrepreneur and artist who was previously in the care system. 

“In this community living you aren’t alone, and you can become friends with the other people living there and later in life they might become family,” she said. “I kind of wish I had this.” 

In addition to the individual pods, the young people will have access to an open green space with common areas for learning and socialising. Junction staff will also be on hand to provide support and run programs for the adolescents. 

And Flinders University and the local TAFE will be nearby to help the residents access ongoing education and training. 

“The young people who are going to move in will still be nervous because it’s new and something a lot of 16-year-olds don’t normally do. But that’s the whole point of the community thing – they are not facing these challenges alone,” Emmarita said. 

Katrine Hildyard, Minister for Child Protection, believes the Tiny Homes Campus “has the potential to be developed into a world-leading campus model”. 

“Young people exiting care absolutely deserve a safe place to call home,” Hildyard said in a statement.

“We know that finding affordable accommodation for our young people transitioning from care can be extremely difficult and we are proud to partner with Junction to progress this novel project.”