Williamstown and Braybrook are among the suburbs set to receive new social and affordable homes as part of the state and federal governments’ latest round of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF).
The second HAFF round will include the redevelopment of ageing estates such as Bronte Court in Williamstown and others in Clifton Hill, Ascot Vale and Ashburton, delivering a further 400 homes.
Originally built in 1962, the 41 apartments at Bronte Court had reached the end of their useful life and demolition works began in late 2024.
Planning and community consultation for the new development will start later this year, with construction expected to kick off by June 2026 and be completed by June 2029.
Former residents of the Bronte Court estate will have a right to return once its replacement is built.
Williamstown MP Melissa Horne said the new homes at Bronte Court would be modern, energy-efficient, and designed to provide comfort and security for those in need.
“We’re proud to be building more social homes right here in Williamstown, so women escaping family violence, older Victorians, and people who have faced homelessness can have a safe place to call
home,” Ms Horne said.
Also included in the latest HAFF round are five new low-rise projects that will deliver more than 100 homes across sites including Melon Street in Braybrook and locations in Albion, Ashwood, Glenroy and Bellfield.
In total, both developments will provide more than 500 homes homes for Victorians in need – including women escaping family violence, older Victorians and Victorians who are sleeping rough.
“The HAFF is changing lives – giving thousands of Victorians a roof over their head and the safety and security that comes with it,” said Federal Housing, Homelessness and Cities Minister Clare O’Neil.
The state government said work is underway to make sure all social homes as part of HAFF round two are under construction by mid-next year.
Overall, 1275 social homes across 25 projects are earmarked for construction under the second round of HAFF, with the federal government contributing $991 million and state government $360 million.
Many projects delivered in the first round are complete.
