CRITICISM for a "slow-moving" Big Housing Build promise has arisen in Horsham.
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Member for Lowan Emma Kealy has criticised the Victorian government, claiming a new 31-home social housing project for Horsham is no closer to becoming a reality.
The housing announcement was made in September by Premier Dan Andrews.
The $8.2 million housing project would see 31 new homes built in Horsham as part of a Victorian Government affordable housing support initiative.
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The Big Housing Build initiative aims to create more than 150 affordable homes across regional Victoria, with homelessness service provider Haven Home Safe awarded a $47 million contract for the project.
Ms Kealy said the project had become an absolute fiasco with Labor announcing the project as 'shovel ready' and to begin by the end of the year.
However, months later, no land has been acquired, no planning permits issued, no drawings produced, and no contract in existence.
"I have been told that some support agencies are no longer referring vulnerable people to the waiting list because they know they will never get a home," Ms Kealy said.
"It is astounding that Labor recently called for community housing agencies to put forward proposals for new social housing projects in regional Victoria when they haven't even struck a blow on the 'shovel ready' Horsham project."
Horsham Rural City Council has been advocating for more housing for the region.
Director of communities and place Kevin O'Brien said it welcomed any commitments from the government.
"Council is aware of the need of increased affordable/social housing provision in the municipality," he said.
"Council has welcomed the $15 million commitment to Affordable/Social Housing from the State Government and is looking forward to this infrastructure being delivered on the ground.
"Homes Victoria is overseeing the delivery of the funding program and would be in the best position to make comment in regards to current progress in delivering on this funding program."
The contract for the housing was awarded to Ballarat-based Elmstone Property Group, which have been working to find a suitable Horsham site.
At this stage, 11 of the new units are planned to be two-bedroom, and 20 are to be single bedroom units.
More than 290 people in Horsham are registered with the Victorian Housing Register for social and affordable housing.
According to rental data, the median rent for a two-bedroom property in Horsham is $330 per week, with a single person on Job Keeper receiving $620.80 per fortnight.
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