Adelaide Benevolent Society is South Australia's oldest charity, formed in 1849. It is an independent

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

that provides

affordable housing Affordable housing is housing which is deemed affordable to those with a household income at or below the median, as rated by the national government or a local government by a recognized housing affordability index. Most of the literature on ...

for aged persons, families and new arrivals to

South Australia South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a States and territories of Australia, state in the southern central part of Australia. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories by area, which in ...

. The society also provides emergency financial assistance for people in need.

History

The society was formed on 2 February 1849, as the Adelaide Benevolent and Stranger's Friend Society Incorporated. Its objective was to provide "relief to the sick and indigent, especially among newly arrived immigrants". From its inception, one of the society's main aims was to provide cheap accommodation. This began to be realised from the 1869, when it rented, then purchased, cottages in the

Adelaide city centre Adelaide city centre () is the inner city locality of Adelaide, Greater Adelaide, the capital city of South Australia. It is known by locals simply as "the City" or "Town" to distinguish it from Greater Adelaide and from the City of Adelaide l ...

. These cottages were eventually replaced by housing units in the city's northern and southern suburbs. As well as providing subsidised accommodation, the society helps out in cases of unforeseen emergency, providing help with the cost of utility bills or short term financial aid where there is genuine need. The society's work among the poor and sick continued during Australia's economically depressed years from the late 1880s and 1890s through to the first decade of the 20th century, including the Great Depression of the 1930s. It was during this period that the Society was able to finance the construction of its own building with a bequest of 1000 pounds from Sir

Thomas Elder Sir Thomas Elder (5 August 1818 – 6 March 1897) was a Scottish-Australian Pastoral farming, pastoralist, highly successful businessman, philanthropist, politician, race-horse owner and breeder, and public figure. Amongst many other things, h ...

. Elder Hall, at 17 Morialta Street, was completed in 1898 - this building still functions as the society's office. Former South Australian Premier Thomas Playford was a founding member of the Adelaide Benevolent Society;

George Fife Angas George Fife Angas (1 May 1789 – 15 May 1879) was an English businessman and banker who, while residing in England, played a significant part in the formation and establishment of the British colonisation of South Australia, Province of South ...

and his son J. H. Angas served as vice presidents of the Society and made large financial contributions; and

Sir John Colton Sir John Blackler Colton, (23 September 1823 – 6 February 1902) was an Australian politician, Premier of South Australia and philanthropist. His middle name, Blackler, was used only rarely, as on the birth certificate of his first son. Backg ...

, twice Premier of South Australia, was president from 1872 until his death in 1902. Stow Smith was associated with the Society for over 50 years.

Services

The society owns more than 250 units and houses throughout the

Adelaide Adelaide ( , ; ) is the list of Australian capital cities, capital and most populous city of South Australia, as well as the list of cities in Australia by population, fifth-most populous city in Australia. The name "Adelaide" may refer to ei ...

metropolitan area that it rents to persons on lower incomes at rents below market rates. The society's properties are located in several suburbs around the metropolitan area from Elizabeth in the North to Victor Harbor in the South. Properties are a mix of one and two bedroom units as well as some 3 bedroom houses. Potential tenants are assessed on a needs basis and the Society acts as a tenancy and property manager. In addition to housing, the society also provides some emergency financial assistance. Applications are assessed on a needs basis.Memory, State Library of South Australia

References

The Advertiser, 7 May 2009: Housing Scheme for Aged Launched

External links

* {{official website, http://www.adelaide.org.au
Thomas Playford, ABS history
Non-profit organisations based in South Australia