Big Housing Build

In partnership with the Victorian Government, Housing Choices Australia is developing new social and affordable homes across suburbs including Preston, Carnegie, Pascoe Vale, North Melbourne, Belmont and Werribee.

The residential dwellings are being developed with Homes Victoria under the State Government’s $5.3 Big Housing Build and in collaboration with a range of exceptional partners. Announced in 2020, the Victorian Government in partnership with community housing providers and developers, will deliver 12,000 new social and affordable homes while generating 10,000 jobs each year over the four-year program.

The properties are designed to Livable Housing Australia Silver Level and built to 5 Star Green Star and 7 Star NatHERS ratings.

They will provide environmentally sustainable, affordable homes to some of Victoria’s most vulnerable residents, delivered through a community housing model that supports residents and builds links with community.

There are more than 20,000 Victorian households living in community housing-owned and managed homes. They are from all walks of life – single people, couples, young families, older women, newly arrived Victorians and people with disability.

The community housing sector is a long standing and vital component of the Australian housing spectrum, alongside public housing and private housing. Social housing is an umbrella term that includes both public housing and community housing. It generally indicates housing that involves some degree of rental subsidy. In Victoria, public housing is managed by Homes Victoria. Community housing is owned or managed by non-government, not-for-profit, registered housing agencies like Housing Choices.

Preston 

Designed by award-winning architects Six Degrees and Simon Ellis Landscape Architects, the Townhall Avenue, Preston residential development features 39 one and two-bedroom apartments across five levels and includes reprovision of 28 public car parks at ground level.

As well as the State Government, the project is being developed in association with the City of Darebin and the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation. The site is close to the Preston Library and a block away from the bustling High Street retail precinct. Preston Market and Preston train station are short walks away.

Carnegie 

Our Egan Street, Carnegie development is designed by Bruce Henderson Architects and John Patrick Landscape Architects. The property comprises 106 one and two-bedroom apartments across 10 levels, and includes a landscaped rooftop terrace, car and bicycle parking and a ground-floor office.

The site is adjacent to the bustling Koornang Road shopping village, public transport, walking and cycling tracks and other services and amenities. On completion, Housing Choices will maintain an on-site office and deliver both tenancy and property management services for the building and its residential community, as well as community-building initiatives.

Pascoe Vale 

Comprising 70 one and two-bedroom apartments, within two multi-storey buildings linked by a central atrium, our Northumberland Road, Pascoe Vale development is designed by Caleb Smith Architect and John Patrick Landscape Architects.
The development is close to the Pascoe Vale Neighbourhood Centre with easy access to shops, public transport, recreational parks and walking and cycling tracks, with primary and secondary schools within walking distance.

North Melbourne 

More than 100 people – including people aged over 55 and people experiencing homelessness – will find long-term, secure housing in our Shiel Street, North Melbourne residential development.

Designed by Claire Cousins Architects and Tract Consultants Landscape Architects, the property comprises 78 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across nine levels above Shiel Street and includes car and bicycle parking. It is close to local shops and amenities, public transport, North Melbourne Recreation Reserve, North Melbourne Pool and Royal Park, as well as schools and hospitals.

Belmont 

Twenty-nine architect-designed apartments are being developed across two double-storey buildings as part of our McKenzie Street, Belmont social housing project.

Designed by Kennedy Nolan Architects, each apartment is positioned to maximise cross ventilation, shade and access to the communal gardens and features double-glazed windows, water efficient fixtures, re-circulated water and low impact materials. The gardens have been designed for congregation, food production and the enjoyment of residents.

The site is close to the bustling Belmont shopping precinct, public transport, walking and cycling tracks, parks, the Barwon River and other services and amenities.

Werribee 

Our residential development within the Riverwalk Estate in Werribee will deliver 18 environmentally sustainable, affordable homes, delivered through a community housing model that supports residents and builds links with the community.
Riverwalk Estate Werribee has been masterplanned by Development Victoria and will include two schools, a town centre, sports and recreation facilities and a community centre. The site is close to the Werribee shopping precinct, public transport, walking and cycling tracks, parks, and other services and amenities.