Statement about public housing towers

The redevelopment of 44 public housing towers is a major infrastructure project that will affect thousands of residents across Victoria.

Tenants Victoria has signed onto a joint statement about the redevelopment of 7 of these towers, which currently provide dedicated housing for people over 55.

The statement raises concerns about the approach to redevelopment of these sites and calls on the Government to:

• Maintain dedicated older persons’ housing (not just designated floors)
• Ensure offers of new homes are appropriate, secure, not headleased, and maintain the current rent
• Provide clear plans for communication and support during relocation
• Properly resource additional support services
• Ensure relocation support workers are independent of Homes Victoria
• Provide certainty around residents’ right of return
• Clarify arrangements under the proposed ground lease model

It has been signed by COTA Victoria, Council to Homeless Persons, Elder Rights Australia, Housing for the Aged Action Group, Victorian Council of Social Service, and the Victorian Public Tenants Association.