New Aboriginal Elder Village to support ageing in place

Construction is well underway on Purrkanaitya Aboriginal Elder Village, a new community designed to support Aboriginal Elders, with culturally‑appropriate housing and shared spaces.

Purrkanaitya Aboriginal Elder Village, said to be the first of its kind, is at Warriparinga near the Sturt River in Bedford Park, 10km from the Adelaide CBD. The development will feature 40 culturally appropriate one-bedroom homes for Aboriginal Elders at risk of homelessness.

Built and managed by Aboriginal people, the village is designed to support Elders to live independently in safe, affordable and secure housing. There will be common areas, outdoor fire pits and accessible accommodation to support ageing in place.

This major project is one of the first of its kind, creating new housing as well as a community space “for all Elders” – the meaning of Purrkanaitya, South Australia Government states.

Purrkanaitya Aboriginal Elders Village has been made possible after the Indigenous Land & Sea Corporation provided land located near a traditional ceremonial meeting place of the Kaurna site ‘Warriparinga’.  

Construction is being funded by grants from the Indigenous Land & Sea Corporation, the South Australian Housing Trust, Housing Australia’s National Housing Infrastructure Facility Social and Affordable Housing and Community Housing Limited. 

Designed by Adelaide-based C4 Architects, the village was developed in consultation with the Aboriginal Community Housing Limited, Housing Australia, the South Australian Housing Trust, the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, and the Kaurna Yerta Aboriginal Corporation.  

Built by Fusco Constructions, the project is expected to reach completion by June 2026.