VincentCare Community Housing and Housing Australia mark major milestone in Maribrynong

VincentCare Community Housing and Housing Australia mark major milestone in Maribyrnong affordable housing project

• The Maribyrnong project has reached a major construction milestone, topping out just one year after breaking ground on 83 new social and affordable homes.
• New homes will provide secure, high-quality housing for Victorians experiencing or at risk of homelessness, helping to address the state’s housing crisis.

A VincentCare Community Housing project promising to deliver 83 new social and affordable homes in Melbourne’s west has celebrated a major milestone, reaching the highest structural point in the build.

Councillor Mohamed Semra, Mayor of Maribyrnong, Assistant Treasurer & Member for Fraser, Hon Dr Daniel Mulino MP, and Federal Member for Macnamara & Special Envoy for Social Housing and Homelessness, Josh Burns MP, today attended the topping out ceremony for the Maribyrnong development to celebrate the significant progress made on the build. 

The rapid progress reflects a joint commitment from VincentCare Community Housing (VCCH), a subsidiary of St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria, in partnership with the Commonwealth Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) towards high-quality housing and service support for Victorian communities.

It comes at a critical time as the state’s housing crisis continues to put pressure on communities, increasing housing insecurity and demand for homelessness support services.

Charlie Spendlove, Group CEO St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria said, “These apartments represent a significant investment in the security of Victorians, providing a safe place to call home, build a community and approach their future with dignity.

“More Victorians are experiencing homelessness than ever before, and the solution isn’t simple. This project demonstrates what's possible when the federal government, the community housing sector and the Catholic Development Fund come together to find a solution to a growing issue.”

The new homes will provide tenants with more than just a roof over their heads, creating a community supported by access to vital services and connection to employment opportunities.

This project is part of 279 successful projects funded by Housing Australia’s through Rounds 1 and 2 of the HAFF, supporting the delivery of 18,650 social and affordable homes built across Australia, including funding to support 9,284 social and 9,366 affordable homes. 

Scott Langford, CEO of Housing Australia said, "The progress being made at Maribyrnong reflects the strength of partnership between Housing Australia, VincentCare Community Housing and the Australian Government.  

"Together, we're supporting the delivery of high-quality homes that will provide greater housing security and opportunity for Victorians.

"This milestone is an important step towards providing safe, secure housing for Victorians, and demonstrates what can be achieved when government and the community housing sector work together towards a shared goal."

The Australian Government-funded project complements three major community housing developments delivered by VCCH in partnership with Homes Victoria, which will provide a total of 185 new residences across Bendigo, Footscray and Wollert by late 2027.

Attention will now turn to the facade and internal fit-out ahead of the Maribyrnong development's anticipated completion in early 2027.

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For more information about VincentCare Community Housing and the Housing Australia Future Fund Facility.

1 https://www.housingaustralia.gov.au/media/contracts-signed-support-18650-social-and-affordable-homes-under-housing-australia-future

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

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 10,500+ 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 www.vinnies.org.au/vic.   

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.