Council is seeking to secure funding for a social housing project on Epsom Street in Laverton so people on low to moderate incomes can continue to live within their local community or be supported through local connections.
Council will apply to the state government for funding for the project through the Big Housing Build initiative.
Mayor Peter Hemphill said that the state government's Big Housing Build program provided a unique opportunity to realise a long-held dream for the Laverton community and support the most vulnerable residents in Hobsons Bay.
"Rental prices in Hobsons Bay have risen substantially over the past decade and many residents have been priced out of the rental market and compelled to move away from their schools, workplaces and support networks," said Cr Hemphill.
"In 2014, Council purchased the site of the former Laverton Primary School for the purposes of providing our community with affordable housing and the development of Curlew Community Park.
"The Big Housing Build is offering us the opportunity to access funds to turn this vision into a reality and ensure that people experiencing rental stress or difficulty securing a long term home can stay within their own community where they are familiar and often have strong connections."
The proposed housing model enables people of low to moderate income who have been priced out of the rental market to access quality housing at rent capped at a proportion of their earnings, typically 25-30 per cent. The proposed development would be a mix of quality low to medium rise dwellings (maximum four storeys) incorporating Universal and Environmentally Sustainable Design principles.
"Our aim is to create dignified, safe and accessible affordable housing options which will contribute to the amenity of the local area," said Cr Hemphill
"We are currently seeking community input into the draft design guidelines which will determine factors such as the height of the dwellings and the mix of townhouses and apartments."
If the state government funding application is successful, the development would be managed and maintained by the Hobsons Bay Affordable Housing Trust, a joint-venture between Council and Housing Choices Australia, one of the largest community housing providers in Australia.
Jessica (60) has lived in Hobsons Bay since 1965 and has been on the waitlist for affordable housing for 17 years.
"I recently rang them up to follow up on my application but was told that I'm still down the bottom after 17 years. It's because I don't have kids," explained Jessica.
"If I had a stable and affordable home it would take a massive load off my shoulders and I would have money to be able to buy things like meat that doesn't come from a can – something I haven't been able to afford for a long time."
To provide feedback on the design guidelines for the Epsom Street affordable housing project and for dates and times of information sessions please visit: www.participate.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/epsomstreetaffordablehousing. Consultation closes Monday 28 March.
