Bendigo Seniors get first look at forever homes 

Bendigo locals were given a first look at a future with long-term housing stability today as the first prototype of 84 new homes was unveiled as part of a landmark project delivered by VincentCare Community Housing and St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria as part of the Victorian Government’s Big Housing Build.

Regional Victoria’s fight against the housing crisis reached a milestone today with dozens of Bendigo locals catching a glimpse of a more secure future as they walked through the first completed apartment prototype at a major new community housing development in Kennington, Bendigo.

The Bendigo project replaces 30 ageing independent living units at St Aidans Road and will create a vibrant, community-focused housing precinct designed with a focus on people aged over 55. The project is being delivered by VincentCare Community Housing (VCCH), St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria’s registered housing provider. It is funded by VCCH with funding from the Victorian State Government through Homes Victoria. 

Today, future residents of the new homes viewed the completed protoype apartment of the 84 modern, energy-efficient homes being built for locals experiencing housing insecurity with a focus on people over 55. For the first time, they could see, touch, and feel what their new homes will look like. 

This project is the blueprint for what modern, dignified community housing looks like in regional Victoria. These homes will provide long-term housing stability for Bendigo residents, with access to wraparound support services to help them maintain independence and connection to community.

These brand-new homes are more than bricks and mortar for local residents according to St Vincent de Paul Society interim Group CEO, Charlie Spendlove. “Everyone deserves a forever home. By providing high-quality, long-term housing, we’re helping Bendigo residents stay safe, supported, and right where they belong: at the heart of our community.

“Today’s experience was a preview for them of a future filled with dignity and stability,” she said. 

Housing affordability continues to be a pressing issue across Victoria, with rising rents and cost-of-living challenges pushing more people into financial stress and risk of homelessness. Bendigo’s rapid population growth is colliding with a statewide housing crisis, and regional Victoria is feeling the brunt of it. Developments like Kennington are critical in providing secure, purpose-built housing designed to relieve pressure on housing and restore dignity and stability for more people – in this example for more of our senior citizens. 

Today’s event at Kennington included an information session for future residents. Ms Spendlove said, 
“We’re deeply committed to our residents, working closely with them to ensure they feel heard, informed at every stage, and remain well connected to each other and the community,” 

“This is a significant investment in the future of Bendigo and its residents. We’ve invested in local businesses for the design and build, with Bendigo-based architecture firm plus architecture and Bendigo builder Fairbrother. This project demonstrates what’s possible when community housing providers, local businesses and community, and government work together to meet the needs of Victorians experiencing housing insecurity and strengthen local communities.

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 Bendigo, Footscray, and Wollert. 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.

The Kennington development will be completed in two stages so that the 27 residents currently living in the older units only have to move once, with the first residents expected to move into Stage 1 new homes from mid-2026.

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MEDIA ENQUIRIES: 

Libby Woolnough – PH: 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