The Andrews Labor Government is putting public housing renters first, through a new approach to address public housing maintenance.
Five Local Maintenance Repair Crews will focus on proactively addressing maintenance tasks and repairs across Victoria, providing a more direct and timely way for residents to get the right help when they need it.
Running across five sites, the program will improve the quality and delivery of maintenance services in public housing and create local jobs. The pilot programs will be delivered in North Melbourne, Flemington, North Richmond, Sale and Wodonga.
Residents will be invited to offer ideas and feedback that will shape the program and inform broader improvements to public housing across the state.
Public housing residents can apply to become a Renter Liaison Officer at each pilot site. These roles will be recruited through the Social Housing Employment Program (SHEP), which helps people living in Victorian social housing get their hands-on the experience and training they need to join the workforce.
The pilot follows ongoing initiatives to improve the quality of housing and the health and wellbeing of public housing renters across the state.
As part of our $498 million Building Works package, we’re upgrading and improving more than 17,000 public housing homes across the state with new bathrooms, kitchens, roofing, painting and external works.
We're also reducing energy costs and carbon emissions and improving the thermal comfort of public housing through the $112 million Energy Efficiency Social Housing Upgrades program.
Our landmark $5.3 billion Big Housing Build is delivering more than 12,000 new homes so more Victorians who need housing support have the safety, security and dignity of a home.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing Colin Brooks
“We’re improving the condition of public housing across the state, so renters have the foundations to thrive in our communities.”
“We’re putting renters in control of improvements to their homes, through the new Local Maintenance Repair Crews.”
“Residents are at the centre of this program decision making and we’re here to listen and take action on community feedback.”
Reviewed 08 January 2023