October 12th, 2021Affordable housing snub

HEPBURN Shire has been left off the preference list for the state government’s four-year $5.3 billion Big Housing Build which calls on developers and landowners in regional Victoria to put forward any developments or vacant land that could be turned into social or affordable housing.
A media release said all Victorian regional areas would be considered but the preference was for Geelong, Latrobe, Moorabool, Golden Plains, Greater Shepparton, Baw Baw, Mildura, Wellington, East and South Gippsland, Macedon Ranges, Bass Coast, Surf Coast, Mount Alexander, Horsham, Swan Hill, Alpine and Mansfield local government areas.
A Homes Victoria spokesperson said the government was building new social and affordable homes right across the state for those who needed it most – including through the Big Housing Build, which will deliver more than 12,000 new homes across the state and boost the social housing supply by 10 per cent.
“Regional areas, including Hepburn, are sharing in the economic and social benefits of this program. At least $1.25 billion – almost 25 per cent – of the program’s funding is being spent in regional local government areas across the state, providing safe and affordable housing for those who need it and creating thousands of jobs. Homes Victoria is continuing to work right across regional Victoria to identify projects for the Big Housing Build.
“Four new homes are already planned for Daylesford that are being built as part of the Government’s Building New Homes to Fight Homelessness program.”
The spokesperson said the preferred local government areas were chosen based on having the highest level of demand for social and affordable housing.
“This round of funding will focus on purchasing new homes, house and land packages and developable land that is zoned for residential use. Strict guidelines for proposals will need to be addressed including proximity to retail, schools and transport.”

Words: Donna Kelly