genU Karingal St Laurence is excited to announce a partnership with Housing Choices Australia (Housing Choices), to redevelop two social housing sites in Belmont and South Geelong.
This partnership will ensure the redevelopment of social housing at those sites, and increase resident capacity to meet growing demand across the Geelong region. This project also supports the broader City of Greater Geelong’s Social Housing Plan released in 2020. The plan targets an increase of 12,000 dwellings by 2041.
genU, through its partnership with Housing Choices, has committed to continuing to use these sites for the provision of social housing, while building on the legacy and importance that the Belmont and South Geelong sites have in building inclusive communities.
Housing Choices is a national social housing provider, with a vision ‘to provide affordable homes, working with partners to create resilient and inclusive neighbourhoods’. Housing Choices has more than 7,000 properties across five states, providing homes for more than 8,500 Australians.
“With the recent announcement by the Victorian Government of the $5.3b investment into social housing, it is anticipated that the redevelopment at McKenzie Street, Belmont will commence within the next 12 months,” said Ms Amies.
A planning application for the redevelopment of the Belmont site has been submitted to the City of Greater Geelong. This application proposes the demolition of the current site, with the replacement of 29 one-and two-bedroom contemporary designed units. This will be complemented by increased onsite car parking, and resident open space, representing 35 per cent of the overall site area.
The current Belmont residents are being relocated to another genU site over the coming weeks and are expected to return to their new accommodation by early 2023. On return, Housing Choices will take management of the site.
genU stands committed to reinvesting into its local communities, to fulfill its vision of ‘building inclusive communities’.