Renters have begun moving into 67 new homes in North Melbourne.
Homes Victoria partnered with Housing Choices Australia on the social housing project which was completed earlier this year.
Housing Choices Australia is a national not-for-profit community housing organisation. They deliver social housing to people on the Victorian Housing Register, as well as providing homelessness services and transitional housing.
Community housing organisations like Housing Choices are experts at creating connected and supported communities that help renters get ahead and thrive.
James Henry, General Manager Housing Choices Australia, said that having homes in places like North Melbourne means that renters can feel connected to local services and engaged in their community.
“We are excited to be in such an amazing site that has access to amenities,” he said.
“It’s the type of place we want to have our residents living.”
Clare Cousins, the director of Clare Cousins Architect, said that creating quality amenity was a priority when designing the new homes.
“All of our projects have a huge amount of thought that goes into making homes energy efficient,” she said.
The building features two large communal gardens, with city views and spaces where people can gather.
The homes have been designed to meet and exceed modern building design so that residents can age in place, with features like wide walkways, wheelchair accessible bathrooms, and with no steps or ledges throughout.
The building design includes solar panels on the roof, double glazed windows, and consideration for cross ventilation.
The design also eliminated the use of fossil fuels, replacing gas burners with electric stovetops.
By partnering with organisations like Housing Choices, Homes Victoria is delivering more high-quality homes that fit the varied housing needs of more Victorians.
What is the difference between social, community, public, and affordable housing?
Social housing
Social housing is an umbrella term that includes both public housing and community housing. It is housing available to people on the Victorian Housing Register, with rents capped at 25 to 30 per cent of the renter's income.
Public housing
Public housing is housing owned and managed by Homes Victoria. The state government provides public housing to eligible Victorians including:
- people who are unemployed
- people on low incomes
- people living with a disability or a mental illness or who are at risk of homelessness
- people escaping family violence
Community housing
Community housing is housing owned or managed by community housing organisations. The community housing sector and government work in partnership to deliver more housing to more Victorians who need support.
Community housing providers are highly regulated, not-for-profit organisations that specialise in housing the diverse range of tenants that require both public and affordable homes.
Because of their not-for profit structure they can deliver services cost effectively and to high standards.
Affordable housing
Affordable housing is a broad term describing housing suitable for the needs of a range of low to moderate income households and priced (whether bought or rented) so these households can meet their other essential living costs.
- Read a housing explainer on the Homes Victoria website.
- Read more Homes Victoria news, including project updates and stories from our renters here.
Seeking more information?
For general enquiries:
- emailenquiries@homes.vic.gov.au
- call1300 650 172 (local call in Victoria). If you're interstate, overseas or on a mobile, please call (61 3) 9096 0000.
- Read more Homes Victoria news, including project updates and stories from our renters here.
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