Three new residential developments that will house 89 affordable units to low-income earners and people with disabilities were opened today in St Kilda thanks to a $15.2 million investment by the Brumby Government.
Housing Minister Richard Wynne joined the Member for Albert Park Martin Foley MP to formally open the new 35-unit housing in Enfield Street and mark the completion of similar facilities in Barkly Street, St Kilda and Ormond Road, Elwood.
“The Brumby Government is taking action to help those who need help to find suitable, stable and affordable housing,” Mr Wynne said. “The Brumby Government is taking action to help those who need help to find suitable, stable and affordable housing.”
“Last year the Brumby Government announced $500 million over four years to increase the supply of affordable housing and thanks to that unprecedented commitment we are able to deliver these 89 units which are now tenanted by individuals and families.”
Mr Wynne said the $21.9 million project had received $15.2 million from the Brumby Government’s Strategy for Growth in Housing for Low Income Victorians.
He said partnerships with not-for-profit housing associations, like the Port Phillip Housing Association, will mean more affordable housing being made available for low-income Victorians.
“Housing associations have a great capacity to gather funding from a wide range of sources including local government, the private sector and philanthropic organisations and build more homes than if they relied on government funds alone,” Mr Wynne said.
Mr Foley acknowledged the leading role played by the City of Port Phillip.
“The City of Port Phillip are leaders in the field of affordable housing and have the largest housing program of any local government in Australia,” Mr Foley said.
“I commend them for being one of the first local governments in Victoria to adopt a homelessness strategy and they are committed to reduce homelessness in the area by 2013.”
Mr Wynne was also joined today by the Commonwealth Minister for Housing Tanya Plibersek to announce a joint Commonwealth/State, five-year housing initiative A Place to Call Home.
“The Brumby Government believes that to tackle homelessness requires a long-term response,” Mr Wynne said.
“A Place To Call Home will create 600 new homes across Australia for families and individuals who are homeless, around 118 of these will be in Victoria, with the Brumby Government contributing $25.5 million over five years and the Commonwealth providing $29.5 million.
“Again, thanks to our record investment and long term commitment, the Brumby Government will provide a further $18.8 million at the end of the five years to ensure continuing support for this important initiative.”