Cash splash for housing
Benalla is set to receive funding for new housing as part of the state government’s Big Housing Build.
The Victorian Government is ramping up delivery of its landmark project, with the first allocation of funds to community housing projects.
However, State Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell said the project did not include enough detail.
Housing Minister Richard Wynne recently announced 89 projects that would deliver 2352 new social homes for Victorians who need them most — the largest investment allocation announced to date.
“We’re getting on with delivering our Big Housing Build, giving more people the certainty of a roof over their head and the security of a job,” Mr Wynne said.
“More than $1 billion in projects will start this year — delivering new housing and hope to thousands of Victorians.
“This is so much more than a construction project — it’s a safe place to call home, training and apprenticeship opportunities and thousands of local jobs.”
The government’s almost $740 million investment in community housing projects will give more Victorians the stability they need while creating more than 9000 jobs.
The projects, worth more than $1 billion, are located across 38 local government areas and range from a 152-home development in Melbourne to several twohome developments in regional areas.
The investment includes $148 million for housing projects in regional Victoria, delivering 583 new social housing homes across 44 projects creating more than 1800 jobs.
The homes will be available to those in the most need – including people living with mental illness or disability, people escaping family violence, Victoria’s First Peoples and individuals experiencing homelessness.
Shovels will be in the ground by the end of the year — with the new homes being delivered in partnership with 22 community housing agencies.
The projects include 62 new supported independent living homes for Victorians living with mental illness being built across four sites announced in June.
Ms Lovell said while this all sounded positive it did not include the exact number of homes to be built in the Benalla/Wangaratta area.
“The (state) government has failed to say how many homes will be built in the local area which indicates the number will fall far short of the 812 homes needed to house the families who are currently languishing on (an) evergrowing waiting list for social housing in the Benalla/Wangaratta area,” Ms Lovell said.
“Under Labor the waiting list for social housing in Benalla and Wangaratta has skyrocketed to 812 families, an increase of 354.
“Of greater concern is the priority waiting list which has more than tripled to reach 421.
“The priority waiting list includes those who are homeless, escaping domestic violence, living with a mental illness or disability, indigenous families and those with special housing needs.”
More information on the Big Housing Build is available at vic.gov.au/socialhousing-growth-fund