15 March 2023

Boost for Melbourne social and affordable housing

Note

Joint media release with
The Hon Colin Brooks
Minister for Housing, Victoria

The construction of three social and affordable apartment housing projects is on track to soon deliver more than 200 homes in metropolitan Melbourne.

The homes will be built in Brighton East, St Kilda and Balaclava as a result of a funding partnership between the Andrews Labor Government and the Albanese Labor Government.

The State Labor Government is contributing $75.03 million for projects across the three sites, while the Federal Labor Government will provide $18 million in grants and loans for works through the National Housing Infrastructure Facility.

These housing developments will deliver much needed social and affordable housing for people on the Victoria Housing Register, including those living with a disability and for women over 55 years old at risk of homelessness.

Legislation is currently before the Federal Parliament to create the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund which will make more projects for social and affordable homes like this possible.

The Balaclava project will deliver 46 apartments, including one, two and three‑bedroom apartments for families on the Victorian Housing Register and some Specialist Disability Accommodation.

In Brighton East, 69 aged-care units are currently being redeveloped into 152 self-contained apartments for people over 55-years old. In St Kilda, a rooming house was redeveloped into 36 self‑contained apartments, for women over 55‑years old. The refurbishment includes a flexible communal area, with a HousingFirst office, providing a platform to encourage and create a supportive community.