The Victorian government is calling for community housing associations, design firms, construction companies and financiers to take part in a Registration of Capability (ROC) process for the delivery of social and affordable housing in inner Melbourne.
Sites in Northcote, Brunswick West, Heidelberg West, North Melbourne, Prahran, Clifton Hill and Preston have been earmarked for redevelopment as part of the government’s $185 million Public Housing Renewal Program, with the ROC allowing interested parties to identify preferred sites and demonstrate their ability to deliver the renewal projects.
The sites will be redeveloped into mixed tenure neighbourhoods with social, affordable and market housing. The goal is for there to be a 10 per cent increase in social housing at each location.
Residents of the current estates will need to be relocated during the development process, with consultation currently ongoing and $16 million has been set aside for short-term accommodation. The government says the dwellings will be brought up to modern standards, with the current multi-storey walk-ups not suitable for the elderly or those with a disability, as well with having excessive maintenance and energy costs.
“So much of our public housing stock is old and no longer fit for purpose,” Victorian housing, disability and ageing minister Martin Foley said.
“We need to make a move to update and grow stock that will continue to meet tenant needs in the future.”
Construction is expected to start in early-to-mid-2018, with further sites expected to be announced.
The program is part of a larger Homes for Victorians strategy, which is providing $2.1 billion in financial instruments for community housing associations to rent, buy and build new homes.
“This is the first step in generating new communities and while it will be a long journey, we believe the investment will truly be worth it,” Mr Foley said.
The government also recently announced a $4.3 million for the EnergySmart Public Housing Program, which will replace inefficient electric water heaters and electric heaters in 1300 public housing properties and deliver other upgrades to a further 200 from 1 July 2017.
An industry briefing on the ROC will be held on 1 June 2017 at 2pm in Melbourne. RSVP here.