Construction has started on a Common Ground facility in St Kilda that will provide permanent housing and onsite support services for local people experiencing homelessness – ultimately helping them get the support they need to get on with their lives.
Thanks to a partnership between Homes Victoria, Port Phillip City Council and St Kilda Community Housing, an existing rooming house has been demolished and will be replaced with a three-level building with 26 self-contained units with space for support services and concierge.
The Victorian Government is contributing more than $6 million towards the construction of the new housing in St Kilda and will also cover operating costs for four years.
Port Phillip City Council is also providing $4.75 million and land towards the project. St Kilda Community Housing will manage this property and provide access to wrap-around services.
The new project will operate using the evidence-based Housing First approach that has been specifically designed to address the multiple and complex needs of people who have been sleeping rough.
Homes Victoria CEO Simon Newport said the project was not just about giving people a place to call home.
“Safe and secure housing forms the foundation of this project, which will adopt a Housing First approach to help people staying here recover and rebuild their lives.”
Once housed in one of the new units, support workers help address complex needs through services such as drug and alcohol counselling or mental health treatment.
The project is due for completion by mid-2025.
The project is being funded through the $528 million Building Works housing stimulus package, announced in 2020, to upgrade and maintain more than 23,000 social housing units across Victoria and build 168 new social housing homes.
Seeking more information?
For general enquiries about Homes Victoria projects:
- email enquiries@homes.vic.gov.au
- call 1300 650 172 (local call in Victoria). If you're interstate, overseas or on a mobile, please call (613) 9096 0000.
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