Partnering with City of Melbourne to 'Make Room'
Unison is delighted to announce our partnership with the City of Melbourne to provide safe and supported accommodation for people sleeping rough in the city.
The $20 million Make Room project will see an old industrial building in the CBD repurposed and transformed into modern studio apartments and communal living areas, for some of the city’s most vulnerable people to call home.
Unison Housing will refurbish and manage the former electricity network building at 602 Little Bourke Street. The new space will provide 12-month transitional housing and integrated wraparound support services for residents, and will be home to a social enterprise on the ground floor, enabling further employment and training opportunities.
Unison CEO, James King said, “We’re excited to be part of this exciting project, which will reduce disadvantage and social exclusion, and deliver benefits to the entire community.
“With safe accommodation and targeted wraparound services to residents, Make Room will help break the cycle of homelessness for people living on the streets of Melbourne.”
The Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation has donated $1 million towards the $20 million project, and the City of Melbourne is already in detailed discussions with potential donors, supporters and partners, with further funding announcements expected to be made soon.
Works are scheduled to begin early next year, with accommodation and services open by mid-2023.
Artistic impression of 602 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne after refurbishment for Make Room
- Click here to download the media release > Big boost for Council’s ambitious supported accommodation project (PDF)
- Find out more about Make Room > https://participate.melbourne.vic.gov.au/make-room
Share this article
