More than a hundred new social homes have opened in inner-city Melbourne, adding fresh capacity to Victoria’s public and community housing system and bringing new residents into North Richmond.
The Victorian has completed 144 social homes on Elizabeth Street, a project delivered through the Big Housing Build and now ready for residents. The development includes one, two and three-bedroom dwellings, alongside Specialist Disability Accommodation, with a focus on comfort, accessibility and lower energy costs.
Announcing the completion, Minister for Housing and Building Harriet Shing said the homes were aimed squarely at people waiting for secure housing in well-serviced areas. “Everyone deserves a modern, energy-efficient and comfortable place to call home, and these new homes in North Richmond are giving more Victorians on our housing waitlist exactly that,” she said.
The buildings have been designed to help residents stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer, easing pressure on household bills while improving day-to-day comfort. Shared facilities form a central part of the site, with a children’s playground, upgraded green spaces, new pathways and improved links to the surrounding streets intended to support community life and connection.
The North Richmond project supported more than 950 jobs during construction and sits within a wider program of housing delivery across the state. Homes Victoria is building more than 13,300 social and affordable homes, with more than 11,800 already complete or underway.
Minister Shing said the broader pipeline reflects a long-term approach to housing supply. “Through our $6.3 billion Big Housing Build and Regional Housing Fund, we’re delivering 13,300 homes across the state—with even more in the pipeline,” she said.
Management of the new homes has been assigned to community housing provider Housing Choices Australia under a 30-year lease. The not-for-profit organisation will oversee tenancies and day-to-day operations, bringing its resident-first approach to the precinct.
Construction began in 2023 and was shaped by community engagement and consultation, a process intended to ensure the development works for both future residents and the wider North Richmond area. The site is located close to schools, public transport, employment hubs and local services, factors often cited as critical to sustaining long-term housing stability.
Member for Northern Metropolitan Enver Erdogan said the location was central to the project’s value. “These new homes give more Victorians a place in one of Melbourne’s most established suburbs, combining modern design and energy-efficient features with easy access to schools, public transport, jobs and local services,” he said.
The government has framed the North Richmond development as part of a broader effort to expand social and affordable housing in areas with strong infrastructure, rather than concentrating new supply on city fringes. Minister Shing drew a contrast with the opposition’s stance on housing delivery. “Unlike the Liberals and the Greens whose only plan is to block, oppose, and complain, we’re getting on with the job of building long-term social and affordable homes where Victorians need them—creating positive and lasting change for families across the state,” she said.
As residents begin to move in, the Elizabeth Street site becomes one of the latest additions to a growing network of social housing projects across Victoria, reflecting a sustained push to lift supply, improve quality and provide stable homes in established communities.
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