Boosting Public Housing In Brunswick West

  • Minister for Housing

The Andrews Labor Government is taking action to build more public housing properties in Brunswick West and create a modern, energy efficient neighbourhood welcomed by the local community.

AV Jennings and not-for-profit low-cost housing provider Women’s Housing Ltd have been appointed to develop and manage the renewal, which will deliver a 45 per cent increase in social housing units.

Eighty two 1960s public housing homes in poor condition will be replaced by 198 modern five-star energy rated homes which are cooler in summer and warmer in winter, with improved access for people with limited mobility.

The redevelopment will include:

  • 111 Director of Housing owned homes to be managed by Women’s Housing Ltd
  • eight new community housing homes purchased by Women’s Housing Ltd
  • 79 new private housing homes
  • a 60:40 mix of public to private housing
  • 3,200 square metres of green open space throughout
  • a community garden.

The redevelopment at Gronn Place is expected to finish in 2022. The units will house male and female tenants who choose to return and people on the housing priority list, focusing on women.

Women and their children make up an increasingly large percentage of those in need of affordable housing. This includes older women over 55 and women forced to leave their home because of family violence.

The redevelopment of the 1960s Gronn Place estate is a step in the Labor Government’s plan to transform eight of the oldest public housing estates in Melbourne into modern and comfortable homes and neighbourhoods. This is part of Homes for Victorians, a program to deliver 6,000 new social housing homes across the state.

Partnering with private developers allows for an increased amount of high-quality housing to be delivered in a cost-effective way, and mixing public, social and private housing has been shown to create a more diverse and sustainable community than traditionally homogenous public housing estates.

As stated by Minister for Housing Richard Wynne

“We’re replacing our outdated and rundown housing estates with homes that are designed for the future, while making the best use of the resources we have to help more people at risk of homelessness.”

“Each site will have a mix of social, private and affordable housing that works for everyone and leads to stronger, healthier communities.”

“Population growth means we need more social housing – this redevelopment creates 37 extra public and community housing homes while replacing outdated buildings with modern energy efficient homes.”

/Public Release. View in full here.