17 March 2025

Fast-tracked social and affordable housing breaking ground in Victoria

| John Murtagh
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mock-up of stage one of the bell bardia housing construction in Heidelberg West

The project in Heidelberg West intends to be modern and energy-efficient. Image: Engage Victoria.

The state government has approved more than 300 social and affordable homes across Victoria in an effort to improve housing affordability.

The Bell-Bardia project in Heidelberg West is one such project, offering 104 social and affordable homes jointly funded through the Big Housing Build and the Commonwealth’s Social Housing Accelerator Program.

Bell-Bardia seeks to provide modern and energy-efficient homes that are close to amenities such as schools, community services, public transport, shopping centres and hospitals.

READ ALSO Homelessness and real estate bodies call on Victorian Government to address housing crisis in budget

The Minister for Planning has also fast-tracked 109 homes through the Government’s Development Facilitation Program (DFP) in Brunswick East, with 25 per cent set aside for affordable housing.

“Changes we introduced through the Housing Statement are making a big difference – Victoria is building and approving more homes than any other state, and our record investment in social and affordable housing is providing more homes for Victorians who need them,” Minister for Housing and Building Harriet Shing said.

READ ALSO Public transport and traffic changes ahead for Melbourne as ‘Big Build’ works ramp up

That announcement followed a recent approval in Brunswick for a seven-storey development of 39 homes with 85 per cent set aside as social and affordable housing.

Under the government’s $6.3 billion Big Housing Build and Regional Housing Fund, 13,300 homes are to be delivered to alleviate housing issues, with more than 10,000 homes already completed or underway.

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