$3m partnership to deliver eight new homes in Mitchell Shire

The Media Release fom Beyond Housing:

A partnership between the Victorian Property Fund (VPF), Mitchell Shire Council and BeyondHousing will see eight new homes built for couples, single parents and families at risk of homelessness in Wallan, Broadford and Seymour. 

The new homes were announced by Minister for Consumer Affairs, Marlene Kairouz, on Wednesday 1 August.

BeyondHousing CEO, Celia Adams, said the Minister’s involvement highlighted the significance of the partnership.

“BeyondHousing is contributing just over $1million and the Victorian Government $2million through the Victorian Property Fund. It’s a major project for us and we thank Minister Marlene Kairouz for the investment,” Ms Adams said.

Ms Adams also welcomed Mitchell Shire Council’s support of the project.

“Mitchell Shire is experiencing rapid population growth and we share their desire to ensure there is a place for everyone in these towns,” Ms Adams said.

“Mitchell Shire is leading the way in how councils can work with agencies like ours to ensure their communities get the most out of funding opportunities.”

Mitchell Shire Mayor, Cr Rhonda Sanderson said the housing would address a critical need in the area.

“There is significant need for increased funding for homelessness services across the shire and greater investment in social housing - this is something we have been lobbying for as part of our advocacy priorities,” Cr Sanderson said.

“We are pleased to work with BeyondHousing to increase affordable housing in our shire and we sincerely thank the Victorian Government and BeyondHousing for helping deliver this fantastic service for our community.”

BeyondHousing is the largest housing and homelessness service provider within the Goulburn and Ovens Murray regions of Victoria. Last year BeyondHousing provided services to more than 5500 people and owns or manages more than 700 homes.

Ms Adams said the new homes would be a mixture of units and houses to respond to the housing needs of single parents, couples and families.

BeyondHousing’s contribution was used to purchase land on which the homes will be built.

“Work will start soon on house design. We have appointed Sessions, Metricon and New View Homes as the preferred builders,” Ms Adams said.

Tim Sessions from Sessions Builders said they enjoy working with BeyondHousing, building quality homes for people in need and also keeping local people in work, such as builders and trades.

Ms Adams said BeyondHousing deliberately focused on working closely with local builders to support their efforts to offer jobs in the community and add to the local economy.

“This is a significant injection of economic activity in the area and we prefer to develop longer term relationships with builders in our catchment area,” she said.

BeyondHousing is committed to addressing homelessness, supporting people in housing stress and increasing the supply of affordable housing.

“Increasing the supply of affordable housing in the Goulburn Valley and north east Victoria is a key priority of ours over the next three years. Last year we added 16 new homes to our portfolio,” Ms Adams said.

The project is supported by the Victorian Property Fund through the Victorian Government.