City proposes big social housing build

VULNERABLE people who need social housing in the Geelong region will have greater access following the City of Greater Geelong council’s decision to endorse its Social Housing Plan 2020-2041.

About 12,000 new social housing dwellings will be built in the municipality over the next 20 years as part of the commitment.

The council adopted the long-term plan at its February 25 meeting amid rising demand for low-cost housing options.

Cr Sarah Mansfield, chair of the city’s social inclusion portfolio, said stable housing helps people feel safe, connected and part of the community.

“It has the biggest influence in helping people engage with employment, education and community services.

“This strategy highlights that the quantity and quality of social housing in Geelong is calling out for sustained improvement.

“Without major investment, the numbers of people experiencing housing stress will only increase.”

There are 3,300 greater Geelong households living in social housing at present, with nearly 11,000 others in financial stress because of housing costs.

Council-owned land will be offered up for the build to meet its target of 6,000 new social housing dwellings by 2031, and any COGG land and funded contributions will be used to leverage investments from other levels of government.

The plan outlines a goal of seeing 750 existing public housing dwellings replaced within the first decade, with another 750 to be replaced by 2041.

The council also resolved to investigate the establishment of an affordable housing trust, and its appropriate governance model. Cr Mansfield successfully moved an amendment requesting a report on this within 18 months.