First Nations social housing to built in suburbs across Geelong

Greater Geelong is set to get 28 new social homes as part of wider $153m investment. Here’s where they’ll be built.

Housing minister Harriet Shing made the announcement on Friday. Picture: NewsWire/Ian Currie

Twenty-eight new social homes for First Nation Victorians have been approved for construction across six suburbs in Greater Geelong, the state government has announced.

The homes will be built as part of a statewide project involving the construction of 230 homes across regional Victoria, including Shepparton, East Gippsland, Wodonga, Ballarat and Geelong.

Geelong is one of several regional towns where homes will be built as part of the project. Picture: Supplied.

The project is designed to support Aboriginal Victorians, with the new Geelong dwellings part of the government’s commitment to ensure 10 per cent of all new social homes under the Big Build are set aside for Indigenous Australians.

The homes will be built in Grovedale, Hamlyn Heights, Belmont, St Albans Park, Corio, and Whittington.

Geelong MP Chris Couzens said the homes would give “more Aboriginal families the security of a roof over their heads”.

Aboriginal Housing Victoria chief executive Darren Smith said the move was “a much-needed boost to housing supply across Victoria – particularly in the regional areas where lack of access to culturally appropriate housing is deeply felt”.

“It means more families can stay connected to Country, culture, and community, while building the capacity of the Aboriginal housing sector to meet the needs of a growing population,” he added.

The homes will be delivered and managed by agencies including Aboriginal Housing Victoria, Aboriginal community Housing Victoria Limited and Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative.

It comes after the government announced it would extend help for First Nations Victorians who are struggling to find or keep a private rental – providing more than $17m over three years in rental support.

Last year, then Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan said the shortage of social and affordable housing was reaching crisis point, telling the Geelong Advertiser the region would need 13,500 extra social house dwellings over the next 20 years to meet demand.

Geelong’s population is expected to increase by 171,198 people between 2021 and 2046, a report from the City of Greater Geelong claims.

Originally published as First Nations social housing to built in suburbs across Geelong