Footscray residents build community together

Residents of the VincentCare Community Housing's Footscray Big Housing Build apartments had the opportunity to meet their neighbours and connect with their local services and programs at the Footscray Residents’ Welcome Day, held at the Maribyrnong Council Offices in Footscray on 6 February 2026. 

162 residents settled into their new apartments in November and December 2025 across a 17-storey building with beautiful views over Footscray and Flemington Racecourse.

The welcome day had about 50 residents in attendance and about 30 service providers. 

The service providers included representatives from the council’s maternal and child health services and early years capacity building team; men’s group, Phoenix Youth Centre; Angliss Neighbourhood House; and VincentCare Victoria’s HomeConnect, GreenLight: Supportive Housing Program and ReStart Program.  

The mood in the room was joyful, with a dedicated corner for parents and bubs to play with toys and games, and over a shared lunch everyone had the chance to meet each other and share stories. 

Many connections and new friendships were made between the residents themselves and local community services, programs and events.  

The event formalities included a Welcome to Country, overview of the Big Housing Build project and speeches from Footscray MP Katie Hall and Maribyrnong Mayor Mohamad Semra, and an overview of all the wonderful programs and services residents have access to through VincentCare Community Housing. 

St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria’s Executive General Manager – Housing & Property Strategy, Ray Kelleher, spoke about bringing the project to life over several years.  

“The lives of 162 people, many of them here today, have changed significantly, thanks to the support of Katie and the Victorian Government. We couldn’t have done it without your support,” he said.  

Katie Hall MP, Member for Footscray welcomed the residents warmly, encouraging them to participate in community life. 

Mayor Mohamad Semra spoke of his own journey from insecure housing to Mayor of the City of Maribyrnong, and the incredible difference that public housing and organisations like VincentCare had made to him and his family. 

VincentCare Community Housing are building a thriving community with the residents by connecting them to community services as well as coordinating programs such as coffee club, walking group and mums and bubs groups.   

Ray said, “The welcome day is an important step in the journey of the Footscray Big Housing Build apartments – a demonstration of the commitment VincentCare Community Housing has to building communities, not just bricks and mortar. It was wonderful to hear today how well the residents are settling into their new homes.” 

For more information about the Footscray apartments and VincentCare Community Housing’s housing projects, visit https://www.vinnies.org.au/vic/services/housing-build 

Pictured (l-r): Katie Hall, Member for Footscray, Councillor Bernadette Thomas, Councillor  Elena Pereyra, Mayor Mohamed Semra, Ray Kelleher and Deputy Mayor Samantha Meredith.