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State Government allocates $120M for social housing
The Andrews Labor Government is boosting Victoria’s supply of social housing with almost $120 million additional investment for programs and projects announced today.

Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley joined Member for Essendon Danny Pearson to announce $30 million to kick-start the Flemington public housing estate’s redevelopment and a regeneration of Flemington’s 22 walk up buildings.

Consultations with the community, tenants, Mooney Valley Council and the VPTA will commence at the beginning of October to begin the process of establishing what the Flemington redevelopment should look like.

The Government will also invest:

• $23 million to increase the supply of short-term housing for homeless Victorians
• $60 million to increase the number of social housing properties on vacant or under-used land currently owned by the Director of Housing
• $5 million for the purchase and upgrade of the City Gate Apartments in St Kilda.

The Rapid Housing Assistance Fund will be expanded to assist people who are homeless, following a similar model to the recent Expression of Interest process for the registered housing sector to purchase and lease properties for women and children escaping family violence.

The $23 million is initially expected to purchase 60 homes and lease up to 70 properties.

The social housing pipeline program will kick off with Expressions of Interest in November, aiming to boost social housing through partnerships with the housing sector and private construction companies.. More

Putting homelessness on the National Agenda
The Andrews Labor Government has called on Malcolm Turnbull to commit to the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness.

Speaking at the launch of the Council to Homeless Person’s July edition of its magazine Parity, Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley said homelessness is a problem that isn’t going away and it was time for national understanding on a plan to end homelessness.

In order to ensure the safety and well-being of people sleeping rough during the recent cold weather, the Labor Government has provided $1.6 million in additional funding to ensure pathways to housing and support are available for anyone sleeping rough in Melbourne and across the State.

The Government is also working on the implementation of our $152 million housing blitz, in response to the Royal Commission to ensure women and children escaping family violence have a greater range of options for accommodation.

In Melton, the Government is investing $1.2 million through the Accommodation for the Homeless initiative for Hope Street Youth and Family Services to construct a youth refuge in Melton.

Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley says: “We are investing in homelessness support to come up with solutions both short and long term and we need the Federal Government to commit itself to what is a national challenge.” More

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