Hepburn Shire Council in Central Victoria has entered a groundbreaking agreement to provide affordable housing for people with disabilities.
Under the agreement, Council has transferred a 905 square metre block of land in the township of Daylesford to the Victorian Government’s Disability Housing Limited (DHL).
DHL will construct two single bedroom units and one two bedroom unit accommodating a minimum of three people on the land, which is valued at $130,000.
The land was transferred to DHL effectively without cost as Council’s contribution towards the project.
Council has also allocated $12,000 from the current budget to cover subdivision, transfer and agreement costs associated with this project.
Hepburn Shire Mayor Councillor Janine Booth said the agreement is a first for any council in Victoria.
“The availability and affordability of housing has been an issue in Hepburn Shire, particularly in Daylesford and Hepburn Springs,” Councillor Booth said.
“The specific housing needs of people with disabilities are of particular concern as there is no supported housing available within the municipality and all Supported Residential Services, which were home to many people with disabilities, have closed.
“Council undertook a range of consultation processes in developing this project, including site meetings with adjoining owners, the planning permit process and finally the statutory advertising for transfer of the land.
“We are very excited to see this work coming to fruition to provide this much needed housing in our Shire.”
With the land transfer now complete, DHL will shortly begin building and managing the units.
