Labor embarks on home building spree

More than 100 new social housing properties for Geelong

THE State Government is snapping up Geelong property in a bid to ease the city’s growing housing crisis.

About 113 social housing properties will be built in Geelong, Corio and Norlane by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) over the next three years to house vulnerable Victorians, a DHHS spokesperson confirmed.

“Seventy-three properties are set to be built in Geelong, Norlane and Corio under the government’s Social Housing Pipeline Project and more than 40 under the government’s commitment to build 1000 new public housing properties across Victoria,” the spokesperson said.

Of the 73 properties, 29 will be built in Norlane and Corio and 44 built in Geelong.

The DHHS noted more than 40 new homes have had permits lodged or had been identified in Geelong, with another 90 sites — with space for more than 180 new homes — being assessed for suitability.

The City of Greater Geelong is currently advertising four planning applications to build 11 new public housing units, including DHHS cover letters noting the need for local housing options.

“This site is one of many being redeveloped across Victoria in response to the urgent need to house vulnerable Victorians, especially those escaping from family violence, homelessness and life on the streets,” the letters, signed by a Dennis Sexton, read.

“This Victorian Government project involves building new low-density public housing on vacant or untenanted land across Victoria.

“The new homes will be one, two or three-bedroom properties. These homes will be modern, comfortable and energy efficient, providing stability and security for families and individuals and a safe place in which to build a new life.”

There are about 3500 public housing properties in the Barwon region.

June data from the DHHS showed 2895 social housing applicants in the Barwon region, a 1.9 per cent increase on the previous quarter (2786).

Last week the Geelong Advertiser reported affordable rental properties had dropped to a record low in the Geelong region, with just 266 rentals deemed affordable in the June 2019 quarter. The 14.9 per cent rental affordability rate is the lowest recorded since the DHHS data, stretching back to 2000, begins.

The DHHS classifies properties as affordable if tenants are spending less than 30 per cent of their gross income on rent.