COGG social housing push put to the public

THE City of Greater Geelong (COGG) is progressing with plans to transfer three council-owned properties worth over $3.6 million in Bell Post Hill, Corio and Belmont to use for social housing.

At its last meeting councillors agreed to seek public feedback on the proposal, to understand the views of local residents and the wider community about the plan.

In February 2020 COGG established its Social Housing Plan 2020-2041, with a focus on increasing affordable housing in the region by 12,000 properties over the next 20 years.

The plan is in response to the massive shortage of such housing stock in the region, council then noting that there are 3300 households living in social housing, but around 10,000 households in need.

This number is expected to grow to nearly 17,000 households by 2041.

In April last year councillors voted to establish the Geelong Affordable Housing Trust, able to hold assets and funding provided by ouncil and the private sector and conducted an audit of council-owned land that would be suitable for such housing, which is where the three current sites names were identified.

“Having a roof over your head is a basic human right and it will take all levels of government and the development community to come together and make some headway on this pressing issue,” Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan said.

“I strongly encourage community members to share their experiences and thoughts on how we can get it right for our most vulnerable.”

“We know that affordability of housing in the region continues to worsen, leading to severe housing stress and homelessness, so this proposal couldn’t come at a better time,” Social Housing chair, councillor Sarah Mansfield said.

“These parcels of land are a great opportunity to make a small but meaningful difference for our friends, family, neighbours and fellow community members who need social housing support.”

Access to affordable land is on the biggest hurdles to increasing social housing, according to Haven Home Safe, one of the Victoria’s largest community housing associations and the only one based in Geelong.

“As council opens up community engagement on this land, we encourage people to recognise the benefits social and affordable housing brings to local communities,” HHS deputy CEO Trudi Ray said.

“Housing plays a critical role in the health and wellbeing of individuals and their families and provides a foundation for a better life.”

Opening a new Geelong office in 2021, HHS now owns 151 properties in the region which are rented out at an affordable rate to eligible customers through the Victorian Housing Register.

The service partners with local organisations such as the Salvation Army, Barwon Child Youth and Family, NEAMI, Wathaurong Aboriginal Coop, the Sexual Assault and Family Violence Centre to offer wrap-around support services for tenants.

“Often the people coming through our doors for help are not who you may expect. We have a significant number of older women over 50, many escaping domestic violence,” Ms Ray said.

“This decision made by council means we can bring more hope, care and help to the people that need it most in Greater Geelong.”

Public feedback is open via the City of Greater Geelong’s Have Your say page from Monday, February 28 until Wednesday, April 6, 2022.