The Victorian Government has announced $9 million to help fund the conversion of a six-storey city building into supported accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.
The building at 602 Little Bourke Street was first built in 1949 and will be refurbished under the City of Melbourne's Make Room project.
Unison Housing will refurbish and manage the project, which will include up to 50 modern, purpose-built studio apartments and communal living areas for people experiencing homelessness.
The project takes a 'housing first' approach to tackling homelessness, with each apartment providing the home in which people can commence their journey to stable and secure long-term housing.
The Make Room project refurbishment is expected to be complete by September 2023. Initial planning will see the basement of the building used for support services for tenants, such as housing and medical services.
The ground floor will host a social enterprise, with the other five levels used for accommodation.
The Government will also provide funding for onsite services to address support needs of tenants.
The funding is part of the Building Work Stimulus package announced in May 2020, which included funding of $30 million for housing projects for people at risk of or experiencing homelessness.
As stated by Minister for Housing Richard Wynne
"Everyone deserves a roof over their head - and this new project will provide just that for people experiencing homelessness."
"We are proud to be partnering with the City of Melbourne on this exciting project and will continue to support it with funding for tenants when the refurbishment is complete."
As stated by Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp
"I commend the Victorian Government for this significant investment which will go a long way towards delivering this housing project in the city."
"Melbourne is a caring city, and we know Melburnians want us to do everything we can to create a pathway out of homelessness for our city's most vulnerable residents."
