New public housing properties delivered in Victoria

A public housing tenant who has moved into a brand new home under a major Victorian government project says it’s the first nice place she’s lived in.

Public housing can be the difference between being able to afford food on the table, says long term tenant Dianne.

Dianne moved into a new public housing unit in October - the first brand new home she’s ever lived in.

“I absolutely love it. It’s nice, easier to clean and there’s just so much more room,” she says.

“I’ve lived in a few ministry places and they’ve all been older inside.

“To get some place where it’s nicer, it’s lovely.

“There’s no steps, which is a lot easier and there’s a shower, where before I had to climb into the bath to have a shower. So that was a little bit harder.”

Dianne lives in one of nearly 70 new energy efficient homes delivered through Labor’s election pledge to build 1000 public housing properties. All are on track to be finished by 2022.

Dianne moved into her first brand new home in October. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Crosling

Continuing to live in a well connected area, close to shopping centres, buses and medical facilities has been a blessing for her.

“You like to stay where you know where things are: your doctors are, your friends are.

It’s very important. As you get older, that’s what you need. You need your friends,” she says.

Dianne knows first-hand the struggles of public housing - her sister was on a public housing wait list for 23 years.

“I know a lot of people that are in private and by the time you pay the rent, there’s nothing for food. That puts a strain on the charities. And you’re trying to get your kids educated - it’s very, very hard,” she says.

“A lot of people think, ‘Oh you live in public housing, your kids aren’t going to be anything.

“Well, I’ve lived in public housing as a married person and as a single parent and if your kids want to do things, they do.

“It’s got nothing to do with where you live or how much you earn.

“If you want to do stuff and you put your mind to it, you can.

“It’s a little bit harder.

“That’s life. It is what it is.”

Premier Daniel Andrews meets Dianne in her new public housing accommodation. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ David Crosling

The government’s housing program is creating 920 construction jobs and more than 3000 indirect jobs over the lifetime of the project.

It adds to Labor’s $5.3 billion project to deliver more than 12,000 extra social and affordable homes, supporting on average 10,000 jobs per year, over the next four years.

Premier Daniel Andrews says the unprecedented investment will change lives and give thousands of people the security and stability of a home, and tens of thousands of Victorians a job.

“It’s a profound investment in a stronger, fairer Victoria – a Victoria that recognises everyone deserves a place to call home,” he said.