WORKS are nearly complete on an $86 million state government project that will more than double homes dedicated for women on the Victorian Housing Register in the inner north Melbourne suburb of Brunswick West.
The Harvest Square development will provide 198 new homes, replacing 81 1960s-constructed public housing walk-ups on the Albion Street site.
Minister for Housing Harriet Shing visited the site to tour a completed apartment and see the construction work and renders of the new homes which will be a mix of social and market rentals.
Of the brand new, modern and accessible homes, 119 of the homes dedicated for social housing, a nearly 50% increase in housing at the site.
The Allan Labor government is working in partnership with Homes Victoria, Women’s Housing Limited – a specialist housing provider that advocate for the needs of single women and children – and ASX-listed house and land developer AVJennings to deliver the homes.
“Women are the fastest-growing group of people at risk of homelessness – and we’re setting out to change that by delivering brand new homes that are designed for women and include the wraparound support they need to maintain secure, stable housing,” said Minister Shing.
Women’s Housing Limited will provide specialist support and wraparound services for residents on the site.
Single women over the age of 55 are of a particularly heightened risk of homelessness.
This year’s federal budget directed $1 billion towards crisis and transitional accommodation for women and children fleeing domestic violence, and youth under the National Housing Infrastructure Facility.
Homelessness Australia’s Homelessness and domestic and family violence: State of Response Report showed that 45% of women and girls seeking help for homelessness are doing so because of family and domestic violence.
A report released by Homelessness Australia found that just 3% of the tens of thousands of women and children fleeing family and domestic violence that came to homelessness services ultimately received long-term housing assistance.
Harvest Square, previously the Gronn Place Public Housing Estate, features publicly accessible open spaces and is close to Melville Road trams that connect straight into Melbourne CBD. Brunswick North West Primary School, Moonee Ponds Creek Trail, retail, employment opportunities and community facilities are minutes away.
Member for Pascoe Vale, Anthony Cianflone, said, “These new homes are close to services, shops and education, and they’ll create a wonderful community that residents will enjoy for generations to come.”
The Victorian government’s $5.3 billion Big Housing Build is delivering more than 12,000 new homes across Victoria. It said more than 9,600 homes underway or complete, with more than 4,400 Victorians moving into their brand new homes.
