RALLY: BUILD PUBLIC HOUSING
Description
Housing is a state government responsibility — and it is in crisis
South Australia is in a deep and worsening housing crisis.
Almost 14,000 people are on the public housing waiting list. Rents and house prices continue to rise faster than incomes. People on Centrelink payments, low‑wage workers, essential workers, students, older women, First Nations people, and families are being pushed into housing stress, overcrowding, and homelessness.
Homelessness services are under immense pressure, with demand increasing while funding fails to keep pace. Crisis responses alone are not enough.
This is a crisis created by policy decisions — and it can be fixed by policy decisions.
Our call: Build public homes and rebuild the SA Housing Trust
Public housing is the backbone of an effective housing system. It provides secure, genuinely affordable homes, stabilises the private rental market, and prevents homelessness before it occurs.
At this rally, we are calling on the South Australian Government — and all parties contesting the 2026 State Election — to commit to:
Rebuilding and expanding the SA Housing Trust
A large‑scale program to build new public housing, not just short‑term or temporary solutions
Ongoing investment to maintain and upgrade existing public housing stock
Housing policy that centres people on the lowest incomes and those most at risk
Genuine partnership with First Nations communities, recognising housing as inseparable from land, justice, and self‑determination
Public Housing Rally
Join us on the steps of Parliament House to demand urgent action.
This rally will feature speakers from across the community, including:
People with lived experience of housing insecurity and homelessness
First Nations speakers and community representatives
Unions speaking to housing as a workers’ issue
Housing and tenant advocates
Homelessness and community service organisations
We want election candidates to hear directly from the people affected by the housing crisis.
A community‑led election action
This rally is part of a broader state election campaign to put public housing back where it belongs: at the centre of government responsibility.
It is community‑led, grounded in lived experience, and focused on long‑term structural solutions — not charity, not temporary fixes, and not market‑driven approaches.
Support the rally
We are inviting organisations, unions, community groups, services, and networks to:
Add your logo as a supporting organisation
Sign on to a joint public statement calling for the rebuilding of the SA Housing Trust and a major public housing build
Help promote the rally through your networks
Support coordination of the rally
If your organisation works in housing, homelessness, social services, health, community development, union organising, faith‑based advocacy, or social justice — we welcome your involvement.
To partner with us, or to receive the joint statement, please get in contact.
Click here to download a Rally Flyer and help us spread the word!
FAQs
- Why do I need to register?
Registration helps us estimate numbers, plan accessibility and safety supports, and share important updates before the rally (such as weather or program changes).
- Is this event accessible?
We strive to make our events as accessible as possible. This rally is on the Parliament House Steps but we will make an area at the base of the stairs available for those who can't be on the steps. Please register to let us know about your accessibility needs, and we will attempt to assist you.
- Do you need any help?
Yes! We're a 100% volunteer organisation so if you have any skills you think we might need, please get in touch. First aid and mental health first aiders to help with wellbeing support, marshalls, independent/legal observers, photographers/videographers, even if you can simply help us pack-up, we would love to hear from you.
- Do I have to attend if I register?
No. If your plans change, that’s okay. Registering helps us plan, but there’s no obligation.
- Can I attend without registering?
Yes. You are welcome to attend even if you haven’t registered, but registering in advance really helps us prepare. If you don't want to register, please keep an eye on our socials to see if there are any changes, for example if it's going to be 45 degrees that day!
- Is this a family-friendly event?
Yes. Children and families are welcome. Please note this is a political rally and may include speeches about housing stress and homelessness. We're a passionate bunch and we cannot guarantee there won't be some strong language, but we hope it will be kept to a minimum.
- Is this a party-political event?
This is a non-partisan, community-led rally calling on all parties contesting the 2026 South Australian State Election to commit to rebuilding public housing.
- Will media be present?
Yes, media may attend and we hope they do. If you do not wish to be photographed or interviewed, please ask anyone who approaches you, not to take photo's and say no to an interview. They will generally abide by your wishes, but we will remind you that in public we have no control over this.
- How can my organisation support the rally?
You can support the rally by adding your logo, sign on to the joint statement, and promote the rally among your network. See our website https://apn-sa.org/2026/02/04/rally-build-public-housing/ for more details or contact info@apnsa.org with any questions.
- Who can I contact if I have questions or access needs?
Email us at info@apnsa.org.au and we’ll do our best to support you.
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