A major social and affordable housing development is underway in Maribyrnong as part of a collaboration between the St Vincent de Paul Society and the federal government.
Housing Minister Clare O’Neil and Fraser MP and Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino joined representatives from St Vincent de Paul on Wednesday September 24 for a ceremonial sod turning at the site on Thomas Holmes Street where a seven-storey apartment building containing 83 social and affordable homes is expected to be open by early 2027.
The project follows St Vincent de Paul Victoria and its subsidiary Vincent Care Community Housing (VCCH) securing $68.84 million through the federal government’s Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) as well as support from the Catholic Development Fund.
St Vincent de Paul Society Victoria chief executive Dr Jennifer Fitzgerald said the mixture of one, two and three bedroom apartments would provide housing for vulnerable members of the local community.
“It will be women and children escaping family violence, older women at risk of homelessness, key workers -we’ve got the new hospital around the corner – and also Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” said Dr Fitzgerald.
“These apartments will be more than just homes and for those who live in them, the impact will be life changing; they are the foundation of thriving, connected communities, offering access to vital services, infrastructure, and employment opportunities.”
Mr Mulino said his electorate of Fraser, which takes in much of the inner-west, was the ideal location for more such a development.
“When I think about my electorate, it’s an electorate with a which has a disproportionate number of young people and also a disproportionate number of vulnerable people in a range of different categories and that’s why the government’s various programs are so important in an electorate like this,” he said.
Ms O’Neil concurred, saying Fraser and Maribyrnong were close to all the essential services needed for social and affordable housing.
“We’re building a lot of housing in Mr Mulino’s electorate because we want to make sure that these houses are well located,” Ms O’Neil said.
“Well located for access to jobs and to services and for the fantastic lifestyle that those of you who live in Melbourne get to enjoy.”
