Affordable Housing is defined by the Victorian Government under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 as ‘housing, including social housing that is appropriate for the housing needs of very low, low and moderate income households’.
In April 2020, Council prepared and adopted the Greater Shepparton Affordable Housing Strategy: Houses for People 2020 to investigate issues around, and barriers to, developing Affordable Housing in Greater Shepparton.
In late 2019, the Strategy showed that Greater Shepparton had the highest homelessness rate in regional Victoria with 5.6 homeless persons per 1,000, and 1,041 households on the waiting list for social housing. Rental affordability fell by 10 per cent from 2008 to 2018, with 27 per cent of low-income households experiencing housing stress. It is expected that COVID-19 has only compounded these issues.
In late 2020, the Victorian Government announced the Big Housing Build initiative that allocates $5.3 billion in funding across Victoria for Affordable Housing purposes. A total of 18 local government areas have been identified for a Minimum Investment Guarantee, with Greater Shepparton allocated a minimum of $45 million for Affordable Housing projects.
On 21 December 2021, Council received a request from Women’s Housing Ltd to provide in-principle support to purchase part of 45 Parkside Drive, Shepparton for approximately 45 two and three bedroom dwellings. Women’s Housing Limited is a Registered Housing Association with a long history of supporting vulnerable women and children across Victoria through a range of innovative housing and support services.
The land is within the General Residential Zone and is a vacant lot that has been identified as suitable for residential development within the Parkside Gardens residential estate. Upon completion, Women’s Housing Limited would maintain ownership and manage the site for Affordable Housing purposes.
Council is now consulting with land owners and the wider community to gather their feedback on the proposal. Any submissions received will be considered at a future Council Meeting.
Mayor, Cr Kim O’Keeffe said the project aimed to address Greater Shepparton’s significant Affordable Housing needs.
“If Council resolves to sell the land and it is developed for these purposes, the development would provide excellent amenities for vulnerable women and children enabling them to access secure and high quality housing,” she said.
“Women’s Housing Limited has extensive experience working in Regional Victoria and is keen to address the Affordable Housing needs of the Greater Shepparton community.
“However, before Council can consider such a proposal, consultation with the community must occur in order to understand how the community feels about the sale of land. We look forward to hearing feedback from the community about this proposal.”
Feedback is open from Monday 21 February 2022 until Monday 28 March 2022.
Submissions can be emailed to council@shepparton.vic.gov.au, completed online at Shaping Greater Shepparton or submitted via post to Greater Shepparton City Council, Locked Bag 1000, Shepparton VIC 3632. Submissions should be titled ‘Notice of Intention to Sell Land – 45 Parkside Drive’.
