The Andrews Labor Government is boosting social and affordable housing in Ballarat, ramping up its landmark Big Housing Build to provide homes to those who need it most, where they need it.

Minister for Housing Danny Pearson today visited a soon to be finished home in Ballarat – one of 216 now underway as part of the unprecedented $5.3 billion Big Housing Build and other social and affordable housing programs.

Another 89 homes have already been completed in Ballarat, with tenants moved or getting ready to move into properties that are providing safe, long-term housing for people experiencing homelessness, women and children escaping family violence and people on low incomes.

The Labor Government is investing $111 million in Ballarat to provide social and affordable housing, which will deliver 305 new homes and create more than 900 jobs.

The investment in Ballarat includes $9 million for maintenance and upgrades to social housing, which is creating work for local builders while also delivering improvements such as painting, roofing, fencing and small renovations of kitchens and bathrooms to 830 existing dwellings.

The Big Housing Build is investing $1.25 billion in regional areas – with a minimum investment guarantee of $80 million for Greater Ballarat – to ensure economic and social benefits are felt in communities across the state.

The Government is also creating extra supply of housing in Ballarat through the Australian-first Affordable Housing Rental Scheme.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing Danny Pearson

“Everyone deserves a safe place to call home and these new homes in Ballarat will provide just that, allowing people to live a life of stability.”

“This investment shows we are serious about providing social and affordable housing for those who need it, where they need it.”

Quote attributable to Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison

“Ballarat has people in need of social and affordable housing and these new developments will deliver homes to help generations of people to come.”

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“This investment is not only providing social and affordable housing across our community, but also creating hundreds of local jobs.”