New properties to offer housing stability for Victorians of all ages
BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE
Three new Salvation Army social housing projects are set for completion in Victoria over the next year.
The projects range from units targeted towards housing those over the age of 55 to youth housing and mixed social housing.
A housing project in Cobden, regional Victoria, is in the final stages of construction. The joint project between Salvos Housing and Homes Victoria is a refurbishment of an existing structure. It is mainly targeted at housing tenants over the age of 55. The property includes six units, three of which contain one bedroom each and three containing two bedrooms.
Salvos Housing Chief Executive Officer Chris Karagiannis said the team was putting the final touches on the project and preparing to welcome new tenants. He said the housing crisis affects many people, particularly older Australians and while the most generous income support offered by the federal government was the aged pension, it still wasn’t enough to cover the cost of most rentals in Australia, as the recent Anglicare Australia 2024 Rental Affordability Snapshot demonstrated.
“Finding an affordable rental is even harder for single-aged pensioners, with 0.1 per cent of listings being affordable,” Chris said.
“Which is a real concern given that single older women are one of the fastest growing cohorts of people at risk of homelessness.”
Homes Victoria has also contributed significantly to a Salvos Housing development in Hance Street, Yarraville. The project, set for completion in mid-2025, includes 17 one-and-two-bedroom apartments as well as underground parking. It will be valued at about $9.5 million.
Another project set to be completed in Victoria mid-next year is located on Lindenow Street, Maidstone. The two townhouses will accommodate four youths plus a support staff member and offer residents a space to build tenancy life skills.
This project has been funded mainly through the generosity of a donor.
Chris Karagiannis said the housing crisis has a more significant impact on young Australians and will weigh on future generations if it remains unaddressed.
“Access to appropriate, affordable and secure housing is the foundation of any family or individual’s engagement in work, education and social relations,” he said. “It’s also the single most critical exit point from homelessness services. The lack of affordable housing is one of the main factors for increasing homelessness across the nation.
“Eradicating homelessness and addressing housing affordability issues are possible in Australia, but it is going to take concerted efforts. Addressing housing supply, especially ensuring there are enough suitable accommodation options available, is a solid start.”
