More cash for social housing program

THE State’s social housing sector is set to see a boost with a funding package on the way to support people with mental illnesses in need of a home.

Minister for Housing, Colin Brooks, visited Ballarat last week to announce the program which includes $85 million in grants from the State Government’s Social Housing Growth Fund.

He said the money will be geared specifically towards supporting people with mental illnesses.

“It’s really important there’s natural light coming into these homes, that there’s a shared space and support but also independence,” he said.

Mr Brooks said the money will help build more than 200 homes.

The support is a response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System that found social housing as a way to support people with mental illnesses.

“The Royal Commission recommended 2000 homes for people living with mental illness,” Mr Brooks said.

“We’re delivering that in two ways, 500 homes through the Big Housing Build and 1500 through the existing Victorian housing register.”

The homes will be delivered via 30 development projects throughout Victoria, with each capable of housing 16 people via individual accommodation.

Each project has been designed with the help of support organisations and will be aimed at creating a support network between the residents.

Of the $5.3 billion allocated from the State Government for social housing, $120 million has been guaranteed for Ballarat which is expanded from an initial promise of $80 million.

Member for Wendouree, Juliana Addison, said that providing additional support for people with mental illnesses will be welcome in Ballarat.

“This is really going to give people who struggle with their mental health the opportunity to have a new start and I can’t wait to see the first tenants move in,” she said.