Tackling Victoria's housing crisis 92 new homes at a time

Tackling Victoria’s housing crisis 92 new homes at a time:
VincentCare Community Housing opens new social housing project

• 160+ Victorians in need to receive a new home in the heart of Melbourne’s west.
• Two out of three social housing projects are now completed by VincentCare Community Housing, St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria’s registered housing provider.
• These projects have received funding from Homes Victoria through the Big Housing Build.

A $47 million landmark social housing project in the heart of Melbourne’s west has officially opened today and is already changing lives for some of Victoria’s most in need of housing.

The project was delivered by VincentCare Community Housing (VCCH), St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria’s registered housing provider, with funding provided by Homes Victoria as part of the Big Housing Build program. 

The Footscray development includes 92 brand-new safe, modern and energy-efficient apartments that will be home to more than 160 Victorians currently experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including families. 

This project is one of three major community housing developments that VCCH is delivering in partnership with Homes Victoria as part of the Big Housing Build (BHB), providing a total of 185 new homes across Footscray, Bendigo and Epping. It’s a significant contribution to addressing Victoria’s worsening housing crisis with 30,000* Victorians listed as high priority on the Victorian Housing Registry in urgent need of housing.

VCCH and St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria were joined by Minister for Housing and Building Harriet Shing at today’s opening, demonstrating the power of collaboration, between the Victorian Government, the community housing sector and construction partners to address the housing crisis and deliver lasting change for Victorians most in need of housing.

VincentCare Community Housing Chair, Tom Quinn, said, “Our priority is to transform lives by providing more social and affordable housing. We can only do this with the right partners. This Footscray project is transforming lives right now as residents move into their new long-term homes. These beautiful new homes and the support we’re providing to the residents will empower them to build brighter futures.” 

“We’re incredibly proud and grateful to be able to deliver these high quality, affordable homes to families and individuals who need support the most, we want to empower those in need to rebuild their lives and create a brighter future,” Mr Quinn said. 

Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald AM, Group CEO St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria said, “These new homes are more than just bricks and mortar. We’re building communities where each resident will be supported with all they need to thrive.”

“St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria with VCCH is uniquely placed in the community housing sector because we can provide expertise, services, and support through the entire journey: from property development to tenancy management, to our integrated support model for residents. 

“These new homes are providing the residents with stability and dignity. This allows them to pursue education and employment opportunities and form lasting connections within their community. 

“We’re talking about creating generational change,” Dr. Fitzgerald said. 

The 92 apartments will provide long-term housing for more than 160 people including people on the Victorian Housing Register priority list, single mothers and their children, people who receive the Aged, Disability or Jobseeker payments, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians. 

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MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Libby Woolnough – P: 0421 004 044 – E: libby.woolnough@svdp-vic.org.au 

ABOUT THE ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY
The St Vincent de Paul Society and its wide network of members and volunteers provide practical frontline support, advocacy and friendship for the most vulnerable members of our community. Key services include home visitation; Vinnies Shops; youth programs; soup vans; assistance for asylum seekers and refugees; education and tutoring; and professional accommodation and health services through VincentCare. The St Vincent de Paul Society in Victoria has more than 10,000+ members and volunteers, and more than 60,000 across Australia. Internationally, the Society operates in 149 countries and more than 950,000 members. To find out more visit: St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria | Vinnies

ABOUT VINCENTCARE COMMUNITY HOUSING
VincentCare Community Housing (VCCH) is a registered Housing Provider managing a number of properties and provides tenancy support to clients on behalf of Government and VincentCare Victoria. These include Transitional properties, Independent Living Units and Head Leased properties. VCCH works in conjunction with VincentCare Victoria and other community organisations in the provision of housing support to people facing disadvantage. To find out more visit: VincentCare Community Housing | VincentCare