The Andrews Labor Government is delivering new homes for regional Victorians, ensuring more vulnerable people have the dignity, security and stability of a roof over their head.
More than $17 million has been allocated to build 55 new social homes across regional Victoria as part of the Labor Government’s Social Housing Growth Fund. The program is providing housing and a stable foundation for thousands of Victorians throughout the state.
The grants will provide social and affordable housing in regional Victoria to respond to the increasing population in Victoria’s growth areas and create more housing to support employment growth in regional towns and cities.
The latest funding has been shared across seven local government areas – Wodonga, Latrobe, Mildura, Moira, Alpine, Indigo and Hepburn – for nine new housing projects, which come in addition to the $219 million and 683 new homes invested in regional social housing projects in 2022.
This package of works will provide safe, stable and secure housing for more regional Victorians, including older women, Aboriginal Victorians, people with disability, or mental illness, so they can live a life they value.
The project sites have been chosen because they have the most critical demand and are close to services residents will need, with work to start through the remainder of 2023 as planning and other approvals are obtained.
Premier Daniel Andrews joined Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan and Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards in Bendigo today to announce the new funding, visiting a site funded under a previous round of the program.
The Bendigo site is being delivered in a partnership between the Labor Government and Haven Foundation and will provide long-term social housing and support services for people with mental health concerns, set to be complete in the coming weeks.
The funding is part of the landmark $5.3 billion Big Housing Build – the biggest ever investment in social housing by any state or territory – with $1.25 billion dedicated to regional Victoria.
A minimum of 25 per cent of Big Housing Build homes will be in regional Victoria – ensuring the economic and social benefits of the program are felt in communities across the state.
Since the start of the Big Housing Build in 2020, more than 7,600 homes have been completed or are underway, and more than 2,800 households have either moved or are getting ready to move into brand new homes.
In that time $130 million has been invested under the Big Housing Build and other social housing programs across Greater Bendigo, with 52 new homes completed and construction of another 316 homes underway.
As stated by Premier Daniel Andrews
“The Big Housing Build is a historic investment in housing and a historic investment in regional Victoria – these projects give more people a place to live and a foundation to build a better life.”
“We know there’s demand for social and affordable housing in regional Victoria and that’s why we’re getting on with the job and delivering these new homes.”
As stated by Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan
“As Bendigo continues to grow, we need more social and affordable housing where people want to live – that’s why we’re delivering more homes in Bendigo and its surrounds.”
As stated by Member for Bendigo West Maree Edwards
“This housing is crucial to Bendigo – it will help local people get into safe and comfortable housing and get back on their feet.”
