HUNDREDS of new homes will be soon be available across regional Victoria after $219 million in grants were announced to create more housing for the increasing population.
The news has been released by the Andrews Labor Government today as it aims to ensure Victorians can have more opportunity to purchase a home, while also creating more jobs with the project.
The $219 million in grants comes from the Social Housing Growth Fund with the plan to build social housing across regional Victoria and striving for the goal to help thousands of Victorians grow their lives. The announcement of these important grants was made by Minister for Housing Danny Pearson.
“As Victoria continues to grow, we need more social and affordable housing where people want to live – that’s why we’re delivering more homes for Victorians across the regions and creating thousands of jobs,” Pearson said.
“We’re delivering the biggest single investment in social housing Victoria has ever seen – we’re not just investing in bricks and mortar, but the lives of Victorians right across the state for years to come.”
The funding is part of the monumental $5.3 billion Big Housing Build with $1.25 billion dedicated to regional Victoria – in the largest investment in housing by any state or territory.
The grants will provide social and affordable housing in regional Victoria in response to the ever increasing population in their growth areas. The housing is also set to assist with the numbers of employment growth in these regional towns and cities.
17 community housing agencies are going to receive funding for planning and construction of 46 projects. These projects will not only provide 683 homes in regional Victoria, but they’ll also create nearly 2600 jobs in a big boost for Victoria’s economy in the wake of COVID.
The project sites have been located from Bass Coast to Greater Bendigo with the government selecting them for their critical demand and proximity to services for residents.
Five projects are based in the Ballarat region with one in particular designed for 55+ residents to live.
The Social Housing Growth Fund has also set out to help Aboriginal Victorians, with seven projects dedicated to help more Aboriginal people find culturally safe housing.
The projects will begin in 2023 following planning and additional approvals that are still to come.
