The Andrews Labor Government is delivering social housing dwellings where they are needed most and connected to local infrastructure and services.

Minister for Housing Richard Wynne today turned the first sod on the new multi-sector partnership that will build more than 150 social housing homes.

The project will include 79 one-bedroom and 72 two-bedroom social housing homes – providing safe and secure homes for Victorians on the housing wait list.

The new homes will be situated withing the New Epping development, which is delivering a 20-minute neighbourhood, enabling residents to live locally – with most daily needs within a 20-minute return walk from home complete with access to safe and local transport options.

The more than 150 social housing homes are being made possible thanks to the Labor Government’s $1 billion Victorian Social Housing Growth Fund.

The dedicated fund supports innovative partnerships between the Government and community housing, private, not for profit and local government sectors.

The fund is part of the Government’s record investment in housing, including the landmark Big Housing Build.

The $5.3 billion Big Housing Build will deliver more than 12,000 new homes and is the largest single investment in social and affordable housing in Australia’s history.

The New Epping project is being delivered in partnership with the developer Riverlee, Whittlesea City Council, Ramsay Health and Haven Home Safe which will own and manage the social housing homes.

This exciting project will generate $4.7 billion in economic benefit for Victoria as well as 5,000 local jobs during construction.