One Billion Reasons To Love Regional Social Housing

VIC Premier

The Allan Labor Government is getting on with delivering quality social and affordable homes across regional Victoria for those who need them most.

Since the start of the Big Housing Build in November 2020, the Labor Government and our community housing partners have invested more than $1 billion in projects in regional Victoria, with close to 3,000 homes either complete or underway.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister for Housing Harriet Shing today visited the site of a soon-to-be completed regional Big Housing Build project, a $3 million development in Delacombe that will deliver 11 new homes, with work set for completion in November.

The modern and environmentally sustainable homes will provide safe, stable and secure housing for Victorians including people at risk of or experiencing homelessness – particularly older women, Aboriginal Victorians, and people living with disability or mental illness.

The Labor Government is working in partnership with CatholicCare, which will also provide support services to residents like preparation for employment and job readiness, help with mental health support, family and relationships, and school counselling.

In regional Victoria, $1.25 billion has been invested to ensure the benefits of the Big Housing Build are shared in every corner of the state – including more than $124 million in the City of Ballarat alone, creating 355 new homes.

More than 7,600 homes are under construction or have been completed under the Big Housing Build across Victoria, but there’s more to do – with more than 12,000 new homes to be delivered, creating more than 40,000 jobs.

The Labor Government has created a new $1 billion Regional Housing Fund to build more than 1,300 homes across regional Victoria in a mix of social and affordable housing – designed with councils, regional partnerships, and local communities to ensure regions’ needs are met.

On top of the Big Housing Build, Victoria’s Housing Statement sets a bold target to build 800,000 new homes across the state over the next 10 years – including 152,000 new homes in regional and rural Victoria.

As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan

“We’re well underway on our historic program of work to give Victorians the stability and safety of a place to live. Our work through the Big Housing Build will lift Victoria’s social housing supply by 10 per cent in just four years.”

As stated by Minister for Housing Harriet Shing

“To address the growing demand for social and affordable housing across regional Victoria we’re investing more than $2.25 billion. This funding is already delivering new social housing to where it’s needed as our population grows and creating thousands of local jobs in the process.”

As stated by Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“The work we are doing to build new homes will make a profound difference in our region – supporting Victorians living on low incomes or experiencing homelessness and financial hardship, because everyone deserves a roof over their head.”

As stated by Member for Eureka Michaela Settle

“We’re addressing the demand for more social and affordable housing with action and investment – delivering affordable, safe homes for people who need stability and the opportunity to build their lives in a growing community.”

/Public Release. View in full here.