Unison Housing begins construction of four-storey social housing development with 77 apartments

Construction has started on a major public housing renewal project in Geelong’s inner-south that will increase the number of residences almost fourfold once completed in 2026.

More than 20 existing residences were demolished to make way for the social housing project.

Work has started on a $32m social housing project that will have 77 apartments across four stories in one of Geelong’s most affluent suburbs

Aided by more than $22m of state government funding, Unison Housing will develop and manage the properties located on the corner of Latrobe Tce at 2-12 Marshall St, Newtown.

The new residences are expected to be ready by early 2026 and will be made up of 49 one-bedroom, 16 two-bedroom, and 12 three-bedroom units, as well as 40 basement car parks.

They replace a run-down block of 22 single-storey units.

Some of the 22 single-storey residences that were demolished.

The 3800sq metre site is a short walk from the Russell St public housing flat where the corpse of Robert Natoli lay undiscovered for years, as recently reported by the Geelong Advertiser.

The Unison project is the second major social housing development in inner Geelong to receive state government approval in recent months.

Pitard Group is behind an 11-storey apartment complex at 23-25 Myers St – once home to Kings Funerals – that will provide 117 apartments when completed.

Unison, which is tipping in more than $9m of its own money towards the project, consulted with a range of stakeholders, including existing tenants, before starting construction.

A subsequent report was provided to Homes Victoria in October.

The report found “concern from the broader community was focused on issues of privacy, street parking and a feeling that the project was too big”.

A lack of community consultation during the project’s planning state was also a key theme.

“Further inquiry into people’s concerns around consultation revealed that there was a dominant view that the community should have been consulted about whether they supported redevelopment, and that they had the right to influence the density and size of the project,” the report stated.

Zoning of the area allows buildings up to 13.5m in height.

Unison received $22.6m funding for the project via Homes Victoria’s social housing growth fund, which was handed $1.4bn by the state government to increase the supply of social housing across the state.

A Unison spokeswoman said the organisation could not comment due to its contract with the state government and instead pointed to an information page on the not-for-profit’s website.

“The building will be designed to provide safe, secure and private accommodation and improve presentation and participation with the surrounding neighbourhood,” it states.

“Existing renters have been offered support and suitable housing during the rebuild period.

“In addition, renters have been given first option to move into a new home when the build is complete, which is expected to be early 2026.”

It is estimated 6000 social and affordable houses are needed to meet demand in the Geelong region.

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

“Our tenants many include key workers, such as nurses and teachers, through to those that have recent experienced homelessness, family violence or have other special needs,” the Unison website states.

Originally published as Unison Housing begins construction of four-storey social housing development with 77 apartments