Member for Werribee Tim Pallas, Member for Altona Jill Hennessy and Member for Tarneit Telmo Languiller have announced that Wyndham City Council has been awarded a sought-after Victorian Government grant to boost local social housing.

The Social Housing Investment Planning (SHIP) grant provides $2.5 million to local governments to plan new social housing in their regions.

More than 20 councils from across Victoria applied to receive one of the grants.

Wyndham MPs said that Wyndham City Council’s successful application for boosting social housing in Wyndham took into account the unique challenges and opportunities present in the region.

Councils were required to demonstrate in their applications how their plans would drive development of social housing in their area, for instance through creating municipal social housing plans and identifying land suitable for future social housing projects.

Increasing social housing is one of the many ways the Andrews Labor Government is tackling the problem of housing affordabilty. Along with the $1 billion Social Housing Growth Fund – part of the Homes for Victorians strategy – the SHIP grants will support more modern, accessible homes for Victorians requiring housing support.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley

“The quality of the applications we received was very high and I look forward to seeing the impact these projects will have in housing Victorians in their respective communities.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee Tim Pallas

“We need to grow social housing in Wyndham and I’m delighted the Victorian Government has awarded this grant to assist Council to plan for future growth.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Altona District Jill Hennessy

“We are giving local governments the help they need to build more modern social housing in their council areas.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Tarneit District Telmo Languiller

“By delivering more social housing in Wyndham, the Andrews Labor Government is building a stronger community for all Victorians.”