Unison Housing pulls details of Geelong social housing project from website, commits to construction commencing soon

The site of a large-scale social housing project in Geelong’s inner-south sits vacant and details have been pulled from the web, but its proponent says construction will commence soon.

There has been no action for months at the proposed site of a social housing project in Newtown. Picture: Alison Wynd.

Unison housing – Newtown development

Uncertainty surrounds a four-storey, multimillion-dollar social housing project slated for a prominent block of land in Geelong’s leafy inner-south.

There has been no action at the 3800sqm site on the corner of Latrobe Tce and Marshall St in Newtown since March when underground plumbing works were completed.

The site has since been surrounded by wire fencing and become increasingly overgrown, much to the chagrin of nearby residents.

A link to the project on the website of Melbourne-based Unison Housing has been removed.

Unison received $22.6m funding from Homes Victoria’s social housing growth fund for the development in August 2022.

It was originally expected to be completed this year.

The scope of the project evolved over time, with plans approved by Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny in December last year comprising 77 residences across four levels.

These consist of 49 one-bedroom, 16 two-bedroom, and 12 three-bedroom units, as well as 40 basement car parks.

A run-down block of 22 single-storey social housing units was demolished to make way for the project.

An aerial view of the residences Marshall St residences that have since been demolished.

A Unison spokeswoman said the “substantial urban renewal project” would proceed and residents would move in during 2026.

“We anticipate commencing on-site construction within the coming months,” she said.

“This renewal is a key part of our commitment to expanding safe, affordable housing options in the area, and we are grateful for the community’s support as we work toward this shared goal.”

Asked if Unison would reactivate the project’s link on its website, the spokeswoman would only say: “We continue to work in partnership with Homes Victoria on the Marshall St site, and we will share more information as the project progresses.”

Unison’s 2023 annual report listed the project as “in development”.

A spokeswoman for Homes Victoria said it continued to work with Unison to ensure the project was delivered.

“As part of the Big Housing Build, Homes Victoria is partnering with community housing agencies to deliver new homes in locations they are needed most, so we can get more families from the Victorian Housing Register into new, modern and secure homes,” she said.

The current state of Unison Housing’s site on the corner of Latrobe Tce and Marshall St. Picture: Alison Wynd.

Homes Victoria has also funded the development of an 11-storey social housing project on Myers St.

Construction by the Pitard Group is well underway and residents are expected move in by mid-2025.

Social housing is offered to people on low incomes who would otherwise find it near impossible to rent in the private market.

The content summaries were created with the assistance of AI technology, then edited and approved for publication by an editor.

Originally published as Unison Housing pulls details of Geelong social housing project from website, commits to construction commencing soon