Unison is an experienced and award-winning social and affordable housing developer, having completed a range of projects, individually and in partnership with other social organisations and local and state governments.
Our mission is to collaborate to create vibrant, sustainable communities that meet the needs of renters, owners and homeless people by developing, managing and providing access to affordable housing.
Working collaboratively with builders and developers, we aim to reimagine community and strengthen the connection between people and place.
We are experienced working with developers and local and state governments during the planning, construction and handover of medium to high-density apartment developments. We bring together planners, designers, engineers and community residents to get a broader perspective on how buildings and building design works in place.
We work with like-minded people to formulate collective ideas and aspirations about what a place/community can be for people from all walks of life and who share a commitment to providing quality service.
Unison's place management approach is a crucial onsite mechanism to help steer all aspects of a development through construction, community engagement, asset design and maintenance. As place managers, we immerse ourselves in the detail of the build and forecast maintenance service and life cycle planning requirements.
To discuss a development project with our team, don't hesitate to contact Unison CEO James King on 03 9349 0250.
Our 260 Bell Street project, part of the Victorian Government’s $5.3 billion Big Housing Build, has delivered 42 new homes for vulnerable families in the City of Banyule.
Unison Housing worked with Plus Architecture and builder Manresa Constructions to deliver this elevated and exemplary housing product for people in need.
Unison Housing owns and operates 22 homes at 2-12 Marshall Street, Newtown.
Proposed upgrades to the site will increase available housing and improve accommodation standards. Current plans are to provide 77 new environmentally sustainable homes, with a range of housing types to be delivered.
Our 74-unit housing development on Cottrell Street in Werribee is now complete. This project is part of our strategy to help alleviate housing distress in the City of Wyndham. It houses a Unison Initial Assessment and Planning (IAP) office alongside partner support services. This is our second significant development in Werribee following the opening of the purpose-built supported accommodation for young people on Market Road earlier this year.
While project complexities have impacted the anticipated project delivery timeframe, the proactive commencement of early contractor involvement (ECI) has enabled the development of a detailed project schedule, completion of concept designs and re-alignment of project delivery dates. This program is underpinned by a design and construct methodology, which will expedite project delivery wherever feasible.
We have made progress with the completion a range key items including signing of the Agreement for Lease between the City of Melbourne and Unison Housing; the appointment of consultants; commencement of the early works program; and completion of schematic designs.
In December 2021, Unison unveiled new purpose-built supported accommodation for young people in Werribee.
The new building, owned and managed by Unison, is a youth foyer providing accommodation and dedicated case work support for up to two years to young people aged 16 -25 years who are homeless.
The service, delivered in partnership with Melbourne City Mission, aims to prevent adult homelessness and establish young people in safe and secure housing at a critical developmental life stage.
Unison transformed a run down block of 17 small units into 54 brand new self-contained apartments. All units are let as social housing to people who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness, offering safe and modern homes to people who need it most.
In 2021, Unison won the Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) National Award for Excellence for this social housing development in Melbourne's west.
In just 14 months, Unison entirely revamped a heritage 22-bedroom rooming house and built a new apartment complex on site in Station St, Fairfield, to provide a total of 38 modern self-contained homes for women in need.
While paying respect to the property’s heritage, Unison focussed on improving the quality of accommodation for our tenants.
In 2021, Unison won the 2021 Planning Institute of Australia, VIC Award for Planning Excellence for Great Place for this property.
Unison Housing owns and operates 22 homes at 2-12 Marshall Street, Newtown.
Proposed upgrades to the site will increase available housing and improve accommodation standards. Current plans are to provide 77 new environmentally sustainable homes, with a range of housing types to be delivered.
Existing renters will be offered support and housing during the rebuild period. In addition, renters will be given first option to move into a new home when the build is complete, which is expected to be mid-2025.
The proposed project is in early-stage design and will need planning approval before it proceeds.
Because of these important changes to the site, Unison wants the community to be informed, be able to ask questions, and have an avenue to give feedback on the project.