New hope for Victoria’s bushfire victims with prefab homes to be erected
Prefab homes are set to be erected across Victoria’s bushfire devastated victims while affected families work towards rebuilding their homes following the summer’s horrific blazes.
VIC News
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Prefab homes are set to be erected across Victoria’s bushfire devastated regions while affected families work towards rebuilding their homes.
The one to three-bedroom homes will be provided to eligible families for up to three years while they progress their permanent rebuilds, with the state government set to foot the bill.
The modular homes will be able to be set up on affected properties meaning those who lost their homes in last summer’s devastating fires will be able to return home.
The scheme will be available to households in both emergency accommodation or private accommodation arrangements.
The government has already placed an order with Victorian manufacturer, Modular Spaces, with talks underway with at least one other manufacturer.
Eligible households have had a needs-based assessment by case support officers and site inspections have already begun.
It is not yet clear how many people will take up the offer, but the scheme is being supported by Victoria’s $86 million bushfire recovery package — funded by both the state and federal governments.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville said homes would be built to withstand tough Victorian conditions and last the test of time while families progress their permanent rebuild.”
“Thankfully, everyone who needed emergency accommodation after the fires was able to access it, and this solution is another way we can support families in need over the coming months and years of recovery,” she said.
Recipients of the housing will pay hiring fees benchmarked to public housing rates, with hardship arrangements put in place if needed to ensure that fees do not exceed 25 per cent of a household’s total income.
The bushfire clean-up program is now 80 per cent complete, with work underway on 649 of the 745 properties requiring clean-up.
The clean-up of 604 properties has been completed — with 461 properties in East Gippsland Shire and 137 properties in Towong Shire now cleaned.
The project is on track to be fully completed by the end of August, calming fears by many families that their homes would not be cleaned up within the prescribed 12 month period, resulting in their insurance being void.
It comes as the Sunday Herald Sun can reveal of the $227 million raised by the Red Cross for bushfire relief, $142 million has been distributed nationally, with grants going to nearly 4500 fire-impacted Aussies.
Another $25m is expected to be disbursed in 2021 and 2022, with $15 million earmarked for community recovery and $10 million for emerging needs.
“We know from experience that recovery can take years, and often the biggest trauma can arise once public attention has moved on,” a Red Cross spokeswoman said.
“Experienced Red Cross teams across Australia are working to disburse the majority of funds that have been allocated to existing grants and emerging needs by the end of the year. This is dependent on people who are eligible coming forward to apply for grants, and we are actively reaching out to get the word out.”
The Salvation Army bushfire appeal raised $43 million in monetary donations and another $5 million in household goods and appliances. Of the total $48 million raised nationally, just over $4 million was shared among 2,511 Victorians, with most of the money spent in New South Wales.
Less than $30 million – including the $5 million in donated goods – has been distributed across the country so far.
“All remaining funds will be spent on long term recovery, led by financial hardship grants and case management support,” a Salvation Army spokesman said.
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Originally published as New hope for Victoria’s bushfire victims with prefab homes to be erected