Premier visits social housing site

PREMIER Daniel Andrews was in town last Friday, in part to visit the site of a social housing project being built by the State Government and Haven Foundation.

Known as the North Bendigo haven, the facility is set to be complete in the next few months and will house people with mental health conditions.

The Premier said he was delighted to support the project and that Haven’s housing model would provide residents with a sense of autonomy.

“We can provide people with something they’ve never had before and that is independent living,” Mr Andrews said.

“It’s all about people’s fundamental human rights, their right to reach their full potential, to be safe, to be secure.”

Some on-site care will be provided, however the aim of the project is to support residents to live independently in long-term accommodation.

Board chair of Mind, the parent organisation of Haven Foundation, Professor Allan Fels said the site is one of 11 already built with 15 additional facilities planned.

“It is very enlightened of the Victorian Government to give this national leadership,” he said.

“Generally, on mental health following the Royal Commission, but also on linking housing and mental health to improve the actual lives, the daily lives of people who need help,” he said.

The project was funded through the State’s Social Housing Growth fund, a grant program to provide stable housing for vulnerable people.

The fund is part of the State’s Big Housing Build launched in 2020 which includes a $5.3 billion spend on housing, including $1.25 billion allocated to regional Victoria.