A Place to Call Home: Unison’s Newtown Development Opens
Unison’s Newtown development officially opened this week, marking a major milestone for social housing in Geelong. The redevelopment replaces 22 ageing homes with 77 new social housing homes, delivering an additional 55 homes and increasing housing supply in one of Victoria’s fastest-growing regional communities.
Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Member for Corio Richard Marles, Minister for Housing Clare O’Neil joined Unison CEO James King and project partners to celebrate the opening of the redevelopment. Traditional Owner Melinda Kennedy welcomed the gathering to Wadawurrung Country.
This $48.59 million project was supported by funding by Homes Victoria as part of the Big Housing Build and from Housing Australia through Round 1 of the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF).
Unison Housing CEO James King said:
“Our Newtown development will provide households with the stability that comes from having a place to call home. We’re proud to have worked alongside Homes Victoria and Housing Australia to deliver this important project and increase the supply of social housing in the growing Geelong community.”
Federal Minister for Housing Clare O’Neil said:
“Every person deserves a safe place to call home, whether that’s a young person at risk of homelessness or a woman and her children escaping family violence.”
“This funding means more Geelong families and young people will have a safe, stable place to stay when they need it most.”
Victorian Minister for Housing, Building and Precincts Nick Staikos said:
“Every new home we deliver helps change lives, and these 77 homes will provide safety, security and opportunity for people in Geelong who need it most.”
“This is another example of our record investment in social and affordable housing, ensuring more Victorians have access to a modern, secure and affordable place to live.”
Housing Australia CEO Scott Langford said:
“This development demonstrates the impact of strong partnerships between governments, community housing providers and the construction sector in supporting long term outcomes for communities in regional areas. Through the Housing Australia Future Fund, we are proud to support these new social homes for the Geelong community, contributing to a strong pipeline of social and affordable homes being delivered across Australia.”
State Member for Geelong Christine Couzens said:
“These 77 new homes are a huge win for Geelong, and I’m proud to see them open their doors in Newtown today.”
“Local people will have a safe, secure place to call home right here in our community, with some homes set aside for women and children escaping family and domestic violence.”
Designed to support a connected community, our Newtown development includes a communal garden, BBQ area, nature play space, bicycle storage, all-electric apartments and solar power.
Renters will begin moving in from October. For some, this includes returning to a community they know, while for others it marks the beginning of a new chapter.
Reflecting on what moving into his Newtown home means to him, one future renter, *Jacob, said:
“After spending so long not knowing where I would be staying, having a permanent home gives me something to look forward to and a real sense of belonging. It gives me the opportunity to rebuild my life and feel settled again.
I am incredibly grateful to be considered for this apartment and for the opportunity to have a home that I can hopefully call mine for many years to come.”
A big thank you to our project partners: Housing Australia and Homes Victoria for funding the project, Treasury Corporation of Victoria for providing project financing, i2C for the architectural design, and Manresa Construction for delivering the build.
*names have been de-identified to protect renter privacy.
