- Published:
- Wednesday 24 February 2021
Work on the biggest investment in social and affordable housing in Victoria’s history has begun.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Housing Richard Wynne visited Dunlop Avenue in Ascot Vale today, where 80 decaying old dwellings have been demolished, ready to be replaced by 200 new, comfortable and accessible homes as part of the Andrews Labor Government’s $5.3 billion Big Housing Build.
Dunlop Avenue is one of six fast-start sites – in Ascot Vale, Ashburton, Flemington, Hawthorn, Richmond and West Heidelberg – where planning or pre-construction work has already begun.
Together, the $532 million in fast-start projects will build more than 1,000 new homes and kick start the Labor Government’s landmark Big Housing Build, which will deliver more than 12,000 new homes and create 10,000 jobs a year, each year over the next four years.
On top of the fast-start projects, the Government will also invest $948 million to spot-purchase properties and buy new homes in construction projects that are either in progress or ready to build.
This investment will secure 1,600 social housing properties and 200 affordable homes – bolstering the construction industry and supporting jobs. More than 60 houses have already been purchased across the state, with a further 295 to be secured in coming months.
In addition, two development sites – on Hopkins Street in Footscray and Plenty Road in South Morang – have been secured. More than 50 new social housing properties will be built on those sites, with Homes Victoria in the process of securing a further 113 dwellings in projects currently under construction or ready-to-build.
The Labor Government’s Big Housing Build will boost social housing supply by 10 per cent – providing a stable foundation for thousands of Victorians to build their lives. It will also drive Victoria’s recovery – supporting tens of thousands of jobs and generating an estimated $6.7 billion in economic activity.
Major construction at Dunlop Avenue is expected to start in June, and be complete in early 2023.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“For thousands of Victorians, safe, secure and affordable housing is still out of reach – but we’re changing that, and we’re not wasting a minute getting to work.”
“Our Big Housing Build will give Victorians who need it, a roof over their head and create thousands of local jobs – supporting our state’s recovery.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Housing Richard Wynne
“These fast-start sites will deliver more than a thousand new homes and kickstart the biggest social housing build in the state’s history.”
Quote attributable to Member for Essendon Danny Pearson
“The start of works here in Dunlop Avenue is just the beginning of an incredible investment in new homes across the state. It’s great news for the local community that this project will result in 200 new, safe and accessible homes in the area, for those who need it most.”