Social Housing Pipeline To Provide More Homes

Photo: Chris Hopkins

Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley joined Member for Essendon Danny Pearson to announce $30 million to kick-start the Flemington public housing estate’s redevelopment and a regeneration of Flemington’s 22 walk up buildings.

Consultations with the community, tenants, Mooney Valley Council and the VPTA will commence at the beginning of October to begin the process of establishing what the Flemington redevelopment should look like.

The Government will also invest:

• $23 million to increase the supply of short-term housing for homeless Victorians
• $60 million to increase the number of social housing properties on vacant or under-used land currently owned by the Director of Housing
• $5 million for the purchase and upgrade of the City Gate Apartments in St Kilda.

The Rapid Housing Assistance Fund will be expanded to assist people who are homeless, following a similar model to the recent Expression of Interest process for the registered housing sector to purchase and lease properties for women and children escaping family violence.

The $23 million is initially expected to purchase 60 homes and lease up to 70 properties.

The social housing pipeline program will kick off with Expressions of Interest in November, aiming to boost social housing through partnerships with the housing sector and private construction companies.

It will make an impact across regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne – including Braybrook, Clayton South, Eastwood, Dandenong North, Norlane, Morwell and Mildura where we have the greatest ability to expand social housing.

The Government will also release a housing affordability strategy later this year.