As part of Victoria’s Big Housing Build, we are retiring and redeveloping Melbourne’s 44 older social housing high rise giving more Victorians access to modern, accessible, and energy-efficient homes, as well as better designed community facilities for everyone.
Renters will have dedicated support to relocate from their home and remain close by or choose a different neighbourhood in Victoria. When the new social housing is completed, relocated renters will have a right of return to the neighbourhood based on their ongoing needs, eligibility and suitability of new homes
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Retiring our older towers
Our older public housing towers are coming to the end of their operational life and no longer meet the standards renters deserve
In recent years building faults and breakdowns (electrical, plumbing, lifts) have become more common and cause frequent disruption to renters.
The unique design of the buildings also means it is not possible to upgrade them to modern design, liveability and accessibility standards.
In their place, we will build modern, accessible homes, and better community facilities.
Sites progressing relocations and redevelopment
The first high-rise to be redeveloped were announced in September 2023 and are planned to be completed by 2031. These sites are:
- 120 Racecourse Road, Flemington
- 12 Holland Court, Flemington
- 33 Alfred Street, North Melbourne
- 20 Elgin Street, Carlton (By 2028)
- 141 Nicholson Street, Carlton (By 2028).
The next sites to be redeveloped were announced in September 2024 and are due to be complete in 2032. These sites are:
- 259 Malvern Road South Yarra
- 139 Highett Street Richmond
- Walk ups at 6 and 8 Anderson Court Richmond
- Walk ups at 1-5, 7 and 9 Williams Court Richmond
- Walk ups at 111, 119 and 127 Elizabeth Street Richmond.
All 44 public housing towers are planned to be redeveloped by 2051.
What does this mean for renters living in social housing towers?
The redevelopment will take time and will be managed in carefully planned stages. When a tower is announced for redevelopment, our experienced relocations team will get in touch with each impacted household to learn about their needs and help them to relocate to a new home. This includes homes near high-rise neighbourhoods.
Relocating renters will be supported every step of the way. You can read more about the relocations process here: homes.vic.gov.au/relocating-renter-support.
Listening to community
Our renters and our communities are our main priority. That’s why we’ve been listening to and working with renters to develop Our Communities: Our Values – a set of values that will guide how we communicate and engage with renters throughout the high-rise redevelopment.
Renters and community can also provide feedback to help shape plans for each location and the design of new homes. We will keep everyone informed with regular updates and opportunities to input, at every stage of the project.
Supporting our renters
Renters and their community are at the centre of this program – we will support them every step of the way.
We will work closely with renters and communities to make sure people have the information they need, when they need it.
While the plan to retire the towers will take some time, our dedicated and experienced housing staff will work with renters through this process.
Frequently asked questions
The Victorian Government has announced the next sites to be redeveloped as part of Homes Victoria’s Big Housing Build. These sites are:
- 139 Highett Street, Richmond,
- 259 Malvern Road, South Yarra,
- 6 and 8 Anderson Court Richmond,
- 1 - 5, 7 and 9 Williams Court Richmond, and
- 111, 119 and 127 Elizabeth Street Richmond
Renters at these sites will start conversations about the relocations process so the redevelopment can begin, and new social housing can be built.
Our relocations team will work with every household to secure appropriate housing based on each household’s needs and preferences. This includes homes in local neighbourhoods where that is the preference.
This process will take time. We aim to complete relocations at these announced sites by February 2026. The redevelopment will take between 6 to 8 years.
We understand relocating can be challenging. That’s why our dedicated relocations team meets with each relocating household to understand individual needs and preferences and make the process as supported and easy as possible. This covers important considerations, like:
- accessibility requirements
- health services and providers
- schools, childcare and education
- social and community networks
- transport links and connections.
Renters will receive two offers of comfortable and appropriate housing that suit their needs, preferences and requirements. This includes the offer of homes in local neighbourhoods where preferred.
When we offer renters a new home, they then have the opportunity to inspect the property to make sure it is suitable. When renters accept the offer, our relocations team will work with each household to organise a suitable moving day and help with the move.
We will keep in touch throughout the redevelopment, from the planning through to the delivery of the new homes, with project updates and opportunities provide feedback on the designs of new homes.
Yes. Homes Victoria will book the removalists and cover all moving costs, including:
- removalist fees
- packing materials, e.g. tape, boxes
- connections fees for utilities like electricity, gas, telephone, and internet
- mail redirection costs
- disposal of any items that renters don’t want to move to new homes.
Before moving day, renters are provided with packing boxes and materials and removalists will carry out the physical moving of household items and boxes.
Homes Victoria will also arrange and pay for disposal of items renters do not want to take with them and help renters connect with new services if they move to a new neighbourhood.
Renters have the right to return to their current neighbourhood when the redevelopment is complete based on their ongoing eligibility, needs and suitability of the new homes.
Renters can also choose to stay in their new home if that suits them better, at the time.
Throughout this project we will be listening to and working with high-rise renters and communities.
Renters and communities will have an opportunity to inform and provide feedback on the designs for new homes, neighbourhoods and more.
Yes. Our renters and our communities are our main priority throughout this project and we’ve been listening to and working with renters to develop Our Communities: Our Values – a set of values that will guide how we communicate and engage with renters throughout the high-rise redevelopment.
Our first step is to ensure all renters have good information and understand the support available to them.
Our dedicated housing team will gather renter and community feedback to help shape plans for each location. We will keep everyone informed with regular updates and opportunities to input, at every stage of the project.
There are many reasons why we need to retire the old towers. The towers are coming to the end of their operational life, and no longer meet the minimum standards Victorians expect.
In recent years building faults and breakdowns (electrical, plumbing, lifts) have become more common and cause frequent disruption to renters.
The design of the buildings also means that it is not feasible to upgrade them to modern design, liveability and accessibility standards.
This project will gradually retire and replace Melbourne’s 44 older high-rise public housing towers, built between the 1950s and 70s, by 2051.
Each redevelopment will take six to eight years to complete.
Conversations with South Yarra and Richmond renters to plan relocations will start soon with relocations to be completed by February 2026.
Relocations for renters at active sites at :
- 120 Racecourse Road
- 12 Holland Court Flemington
- 33 Alfred Street North Melbourne are progressing well and aim to be completed by September 2025.
There will be no change to renters rights or security of tenure during their relocation.
All social housing renters are protected under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997.
We will work closely with renters and communities to provide clear and timely information and support (including in-language information) through this process.
To find out more about what’s happening and to register for project updates and information sessions, visit Big Housing Build where you will also find information translated into a range of languages.
If renters have any questions, they can:
- contact their local housing office or call 1800 716 866 to be connected to their local housing office (9am-5pm Monday to Friday). Interpreters are available if required.
- email enquiries@homes.vic.gov.au
- Attend a community information pop-up. Times and dates will be on our Big Housing Build website and in building foyers.