Presented by Robert Clark MP		www.robertclark.net

$88 million for public housing

The Victorian Government will spend some $88 million on building new homes and units by the end of June, including $17 million for house-and-land packages and a further $6 million on design and construct projects.

In addition to the allocation to new housing, a further $17 million is being spent on the redevelopment of public housing and another $100 million on upgrades to existing properties.

As part of the expenditure on new housing, tenders worth $6 million have recently been let for construction in inner and metropolitan Melbourne to provide access to housing for people in the greatest need.

75 units and homes are currently being built in and around Melbourne to provide a major increase in housing for families, the elderly, singles, people with disabilities and the homeless.

Fourteen units being constructed in the inner northern and western suburbs are for the Transitional Housing Management program.

The $1,270,000 being spent on these properties will allow Transitional Housing Managers to provide transitional accommodation for those in crisis, and link them in with a range of services to help them get back on their feet.

The program offers limited-term housing: generally up to three months and in some instances for as long as 12 months.

"The aim of the program is to provide a transition between homelessness and stable housing," the Minister for Housing, Ann Henderson, said.

Construction is also underway on 21 older persons units in Braybrook and Maidstone at a cost of $1,360,000.

Estimates show that the number of Victorians over the age of 60 is expected to rise from the present 16% to 25% by 2020.

Also, 22 family homes and units are being constructed in the northern and western suburbs at a cost of $2,110,000 as part of the ongoing program of providing modern, affordable housing for Victorians in need.

The State Government, through the Office of Housing, provides more than 69,000 properties to Victorian families and individuals in the form of public rental, community housing and other accommodation.

"For every $1 million spent constructing public housing, approximately 15 jobs are generated in the building and allied industries. This means more than 1300 jobs have been provided directly as a result of housing construction activity across Victoria," the Minister said.

(News Release, Office of the Minister for Housing, April 21, 1999)