b'More homesin communities With strong foundations in place, we are progressing a series ofmajor projects to deliver housing security for those in need.Building a brighter futureIn November 2022, Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing came together as a groupIn October 2022, the Victorian Government of companies to further strengthen ourannounced support for two of our projects with housing growth strategy. funding from Homes Victoria as part of the $5.3 We continue to manage nearly 900billion Big Housing Build. These projects will tenancies across metropolitan Melbournehelp address the need for community housingand regional Victoria. in our regions.We have a pipeline of developments thatWe are redeveloping an existing low-cost housing will address a diverse range of housingsite in Templeton Street in Wangaratta. The needs. Many of these opportunities are inageing buildings, which are no longer fit for purpose, will be replaced with a new high-quality partnership with government and localarchitecturally designed building incorporating 44Education First YouthAt home with Unitingcongregations. These projects are at various stages and projected to deliver overunits. The one-, two- and three-bedroom units willFoyer at WangarattaIn May 2023 we ran our renter survey with a 500 dwellings. provide housing for up to 100 people and appealgreat response rate of nearly 60 per cent. to a diverse range of people including singles,Uniting Vic.Tas is partnering with GOTAFE,Over 79 per cent of our respondents were families and people living with a disability. NESAY Inc. and the Brotherhood of St Laurencesatisfied with Unitings housing services. And to deliver a newly funded Education First Youth Affordable homes With planning approval and funding secured,Foyer at Wangaratta. we were delighted to hear about the positive the site is now cleared and construction ready impact that peoples homes were having on Earlier in 2023 we picked up the keys for to start. The foyer combines affordable medium-termtheir lives. The results also showed us areas 17 beautiful brand-new apartments in a We ran two months of community consultationaccommodation with education and training.of improvement. While over 70 per cent of mixed-use building in Sunshine. These are in December 2022 and January 2023 for a newThis helps young people aged 16 to 24 yearsrespondents said they were satisfied with the being offered at below market rents for development in Bendigo. The proposed 73-unitwho are at risk of homelessness to completequality of maintenance, this feedback is being people on low to medium incomes struggling development will sit alongside the St Andrewstheir studies and get jobs. used to improve our service.to find affordable homes near where they Church on 24 Myers Street and run through work. The building is situated in the heartto 90-96 Mollison Street. We submitted ourHousing first to of Sunshine, close to all essential amenities,planning application to the Minister of Planningincluding retail shops, schools, parks, and in mid-2023. strengthen communitiespublic transport. Having a place to call home makes such a hugeOver Social housing fordifference to every aspect of a persons life.83%West Heidelberg It makes an incredible difference in helping people get back on their feet and be active We were successful in our bid to manage 67participants in the local community. During new homes and deliver housing and property2023 we successfully partnered with otherof respondents feel their services at Homes Victorias redevelopedteams across Uniting to provide integratedhome is a safe environment.Tarakan social housing in West Heidelberg. Thesupport when delivering the Homelessness to site features great shared open space, includinga Home, Homes for Family, and Social Housing a playground, barbeque areas and a rooftopEmployment programs.More about our housing servicesgarden. Tarakan has all the makings of a vibrant, thriving community.14 Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report'