Residents have started moving into 78 brand new social housing homes in the heart of North Melbourne, constructed through the Allan Labor Government’s record investment in social and affordable housing.
Minister for Housing Harriet Shing today visited the newly completed $40 million Shiel St housing development, delivered as part of the Labor Government’s landmark $5.3 billion Big Housing Build.
More than 100 people on the Victorian Housing Register will move into the new homes, which are owned and managed by Housing Choices Australia, with a variety of one, two and three-bedroom homes that are modern and energy efficient – meaning tenants will be warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, while also saving on power bills.
The Shiel St site is well located with easy access to public transport, shops, schools, services, and parks – and during construction, the project supported more than 350 jobs.
Since the Big Housing Build started in November 2020, more than 9,200 homes have been completed or are underway.
The Labor Government is on track to deliver more than 16,000 much-needed new social and affordable homes and create more than 40,000 jobs in construction under a range of programs. We’re providing 4,000 new, energy efficient social housing homes through programs such as the Public Housing Renewal Program, and through the Commonwealth Government’s Social Housing Accelerator fund, we’ll build another 769 homes.
And we’re investing $1 billion in a Regional Housing Fund to deliver more than 1,300 homes across regional Victoria. The new homes will include a mix of social and affordable housing and the Government will work with councils, regional partnerships and local communities to determine the locations and needs for each region.
The Labor Government is getting on with providing housing for at-risk and vulnerable communities including First Nations people, young people, those with mental health needs and family violence survivors.
Ten per cent of the Big Housing Build housing is earmarked for First Nations people, and more than 3,000 homes have already been completed for priority groups.
As stated by Minister for Housing Harriet Shing
“Everyone deserves a home that is modern, accessible, and well-connected, and this housing in North Melbourne is a wonderful example of how we are addressing growth and improving liveability.”
“Construction is continuing around the state as we build and upgrade thousands of homes from the middle of Melbourne to the Victorian border – this is the largest single investment in social and affordable housing by any state or territory government, and we’re determined to deliver long-term benefits as our population grows.”
As stated by Member for Northern Metropolitan Sheena Watt
“Right around the state we have projects like this in the pipeline, as part of our commitment to deliver 12,000 new social and affordable homes under the Big Housing Build.”
