General News
4 March, 2024
Affordable social housing units now certain for Newstead and Maldon
Affordable housing assistance for Newstead and Maldon residents is one step closer as the Mount Alexander Shire Council unanimously approved proposals to lease two parcels of land to Wintringham Housing. Under the plan, land at 10 Steele Street...
Affordable housing assistance for Newstead and Maldon residents is one step closer as the Mount Alexander Shire Council unanimously approved proposals to lease two parcels of land to Wintringham Housing.
Under the plan, land at 10 Steele Street, Maldon and 2A Canrobert Street, Newstead will be allocated under 49-year ground leases to Wintringham Housing to provide affordable rental housing for local people over 50 years old on the Victorian Housing Register’s priority waitlist.
A feasibility study found the Maldon site will be able to provide up to four two-bedroom units, while the Newstead site can facilitate eight two-bedroom units.
Since 2008, Wintringham Housing has provided safe and environmentally sustainable housing with 271 units in regional Victoria, including 12 units in Maryborough on Havelock and Campbell streets completed in August 2011.
Mount Alexander Shire Council mayor Matthew Driscoll said the plan is a great opportunity to be able to fulfil a need in the community.
“I’m really proud of our council for making this decision,” he said.
“We’ve got uncommitted council land that’s suitable for housing, an appropriate funding source that enables housing for people in need, and a trusted partner in Wintringham, who are experienced in delivering housing projects that are sensitive to neighbourhood character.
“This is just the start of the process, and there’s a long-way to go before we will see new homes in the ground if this project is supported by future funding.
“There will be planning processes to navigate, and further community consultation but this is a start, and it’s a step in the right direction.”
The proposal aims to support a housing crisis that council explained in their December meeting as the most significant since the Great Depression 100 years ago.
Forty-seven percent of shire households are currently in rental stress, availability of affordable rentals has declined by 20 percent since 2015 and more then 700 households in the shire are in need of affordable housing.
The shire also suffers from insufficient one and two bedroom housing stock for its aging population, with nearly 72 percent of private dwellings in the community hosting three to four bedrooms.
Council conducted a month long consultation period across October and November last year, with five face-to-face consultations held across the community.
From 189 individual responses, 85 percent were in favour of the proposal, with some attendees sharing their personal needs or needs of friends and family.
Many of the residents against the proposal asked for more suitable sites due to the land currently being used for recreational activities.
Cr Driscoll thanked the community for their involvement in the project so far.
“Your feedback has been invaluable in helping councillors understand what residents think about this opportunity, and guide us in our decision-making,” he said.
“Finding ways to increase affordable housing is one of my ambitions as a councillor, and I’m pleased that this is another avenue we are exploring to make this happen.”
Wintringham Housing and Mount Alexander Shire Council are hopeful funding can be provided by the Victorian Government through suspected grants offered by Homes Victoria anticipated in the coming months.
If funding is acquired, Wintringham Housing aims to involve community feedback for both projects.
“It’s exciting to be working together with the Mount Alexander Shire Council and the local Maldon and Newstead communities, to build affordable housing for older residents on the Victorian Housing Register’s priority waitlist,” CEO and founder of Wintringham Bryan Lipmann said.
“Once we establish a funding source, we look forward to working with both council and local residents to build a community asset that everyone can be proud of.
“With every housing project we undertake it’s extremely important for us, that our homes complement the local environment, as well as address a community need.
“A successful project outcome isn’t simply about delivering the bricks and mortar, for me it’s when older people feel safe, secure and supported in their new homes, and also when the local community feels positive about their new community asset.”