Homes Victoria is partnering with the not-for-profit consortium Building Communities to deliver 434 new homes in Bangs Street, Prahran.
The homes are due for completion in early 2024, with the finishing touches across the site now underway.
Building Communities partner Icon Construction is working with two social enterprises to deliver the landscaping and create communal green spaces for residents.
Yarra View Nursery is a disability enterprise that provides training and long-term stable employment to people with disabilities, helping them gain greater confidence and independence.
Icon engaged Yarra View Nursery early in the planning process to discuss the planting plan and buy new plants to bring the site to life.
Scott Buckland, Yarra View Nursery General Manager, said these projects are critical for his team.
“Long-term, large-scale projects such as these provide us with the security and certainty that we need to plan and provide more stability for our workers,” Scott said.
The landscaping is being installed by YMCA ReBuild, a social enterprise that employs young people who have been in contact with the criminal justice system.
They work with offenders while in custody to build their skills and confidence and help them transition into employment on their release.
The average reoffending rate in Victoria is more than 50 per cent; however that drops to as low as five per cent for young people who go through the YMCA ReBuild’s program.
YMCA ReBuild Manager Damien Carmody said social enterprises can deliver high-quality, competitive work while also having a significant social impact.
“These projects give us a chance to show builders and potential partners what we are capable of,” Damien said.
Homes Victoria CEO Simon Newport said these partnerships highlight how construction projects can be “so much more than bricks and mortar”.
“We’re proud to be affiliated with these organisations which have a meaningful and positive impact for Victorians,” Mr Newport said.
“These partnerships demonstrate our commitment to building more homes, better homes for all Victorians to thrive.”
About the Bangs Street, Prahran project:
Building Communities are partnering with Homes Victoria under the Ground Lease Model to design, build and manage the new housing at Bangs Street, Prahran for the next 30 years, before returning it to the Victorian Government.
The Ground Lease Model is a first of its kind for Victoria. The sites will deliver social, affordable, specialist disability and market rental homes that are welcoming and secure and which meet modern design and accessibility standards. Specialist disability accommodation is a type of affordable/market rental housing.
The Ground Lease Model 1 project is on track to deliver more than 1,000 homes by early 2024 across three sites including New Street, Brighton, Victoria Street, Flemington and Bangs Street, Prahran, along with a further 285 homes in Flemington by the end of 2026.
Mr Newport said the Ground Lease Model continues to pave the way forward for housing excellence and innovation in Victoria.
“The Ground Lease Model is a first of its kind for Victoria and it’s led to us working with like-minded organisations to deliver more homes for more Victorians.
“The second phase of this project, Ground Lease Model 2, will provide safe and secure housing for hundreds of renters once completed by the end of 2026.”