Eyasu and Martha have purchased their home

We’re thrilled to let you know that our inaugural Adelaide clients, Eyasu and Martha, are getting ready to receive the keys to their home, with contracts now exchanged. Please join us in congratulating Eyasu and Martha for being one step closer to moving into their dream home.

Head Start Homes (HSH) also wants to thank all its generous supporters in South Australia who have helped make the dream of home ownership a reality for Eyasu and Martha. They include Bank SA, the Wyatt Trust, Jess Ellam Property and the Adelaide Benevolent Society.

Stephen Woodlands, Founder and Managing Director

HSH Founder and Managing Director Stephen Woodlands said the supporters were helping to change lives. 

“We are just so grateful to these organisations for their support, which will not only make home ownership a reality for Eyasu and Martha, but create a more secure future for their family,” he said.

The couple, who have three children, have been living in Adelaide Benevolent Society housing since 2013 and saving so incredibly hard towards a deposit that they did not require a Head Start Guarantee.   

Ben Owen, State General Manager, Consumer Banking, BankSA and Westpac SA & NT

BankSA State General Manager, Consumer, Ben Owen, said Head Start Homes is an outstanding initiative designed to help families into homes.

 “I’m extremely proud that BankSA, together with Head Start Homes, can help bridge the gap between government and community housing and set families in our community up for future success,” Mr Owen said.

 “We do this by working closely with the individual to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge to understand what comes with purchasing a home and subsequently servicing a mortgage, and I’m thrilled that our first Head Start Homes-BankSA customer has achieved their home-ownership goal.”

Stacey Thomas, Chief Executive Officer at The Wyatt Trust & Foundation SA

Stacey Thomas, Wyatt Trust CEO, said the trust had supported HSH by providing funds for South Australians who are eligible for a Head Start Guarantee. 

This funding represents up to six guarantees Wyatt will fund in South Australia as part of its commitment to HSH.

“Being able to assist in providing people with stable accommodation but more importantly, accommodation that they own, is vital so that this couple has a good standing into the future for their family,” she said. 

The Wyatt Trust works to challenge inequality and improve the quality of life for South Australians experiencing poverty by providing support through its grants program

Jess Ellam, Buyer Advocate at Jess Ellam Property

Property coach Jess Ellam, of Jess Ellam Property, provided her services voluntarily, helping source the home according to the specific brief, providing guidance on the purchase price, doing the necessary due diligence and organising a building and pest inspection.

“I was more than happy to lend my real estate experience to Head Start Homes because at the end of the day, it was doing something nice for someone. It will be so great to see Eyasu and Martha get the keys and move in,” she said.

Necia Pascale, General Manager at the Adelaide Benevolent Society

Necia Pascale, General Manager at the Adelaide Benevolent Society, congratulates Eyasu and Martha on achieving their dream of home ownership. 

“We see every day how lives are changed through stable and affordable rental accommodation, but taking the next step to homeownership is truly transformative for our tenants.”

The Adelaide Benevolent Society provides affordable rental housing to South Australian’s on low incomes at under 75% of the market rental rate.

Eckermann Conveyancers provided a special price on the conveyancing services for the property.

Brad Eckermann, General Manager at Eckermann Conveyancer

Brad Eckermann, General Manager, Eckermann Conveyancers, said they were happy to help because they “believe in doing whatever they can to assist marginalised groups in our communities to achieve the dream of home ownership.”  

“The chance to assist the team at Head Start Homes to make that a reality for Eyasu and Martha was our absolute pleasure and we will continue to provide our support,” he said. 

Thanks finally, to Omar Raslan from Key Properties who provided the building and pest inspection services and reports pro-bono to Eyasu and Martha. 

Stay tuned as we share more about Eyasu and Martha's home ownership journey in the coming weeks.