Media Release by The Hon Tanya Pibersek MP

$171 million boost for Victorian social housing and jobs

Joint Media Release with:

  • The Hon Jenny Macklin MP, Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs
  • Richard Wynne MP, Victorian Minister for Housing

Victoria’s social housing stock will be boosted and construction jobs supported with an Australian Government investment of more than $171 million.

The Commonwealth , Jenny Macklin, said the investment was part of phase one of the $6.4 billion social housing component of the Government’s $42 billion Nation Building and Economic Stimulus Plan. Phase one comprises $692 million nationally.

“Working with the Victorian Government we have committed to deliver 667 new social housing dwellings across the state by July next year,” Ms Macklin said.

“Not only does this mean new homes for families, it will also support jobs in the construction industry, including apprenticeships. In turn, this will have a positive flow on effect to suppliers, small businesses and local economies.

“This significant investment in social housing will also provide a much-needed boost to the supply of affordable housing for those who need it most.”

The Australian Government investment will flow over 2008-09 and 2009-10 to Victoria for Stage One construction of the Nation Building and Economic Stimulus Plan.

Further homes will also be constructed under the much larger Stage 2 of the package to be announced later this year.

Victorian Housing Minister Richard Wynne said the new homes being announced today were just the beginning of a significant boost to affordable housing stocks in Victoria that would deliver benefits to those Victorians in need.

“This boost from the stimulus package will help create or secure more than 3000 new jobs as well as providing more affordable housing for the Victorian community,” Mr Wynne said.

“We’re looking to make housing more affordable for low and middle income earners by building new homes across metropolitan Melbourne and Victoria’s regional centres.

“The Office of Housing is now calling for registrations of interest from developers with construction projects that are approved or in the final stages of approval.”

For more information on the social housing plan, visit the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs’website.