Forty-four sweet new homes, in fact.
Housing support charity Beyond Housing added 19 newly-constructed social housing properties in Moira Shire and Greater Shepparton to its portfolio in March.
Another 25 are expected to be complete within weeks.
The homes have been funded by Homes Victoria (9) and the Peter and Lyndy White Foundation (35).
Beyond Housing CEO Celia Adams said having safe and affordable housing would make a profound difference to the lives of locals.
“These new homes will provide housing for people who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness,” she said.
“These are people whose kids go to school, who volunteer, who play for their local sports teams, and who are part of their communities.”
Beyond Housing — the main entry point for the homelessness system — is the largest community housing organisation within the Goulburn and Ovens Murray regions of Victoria.
It owns and manages more than 1000 homes across those regions and is on track to build a further 319 by the end of next year.
The houses are rented to people on the Victorian Housing Register at below-market rates.
During the 2024-25 financial year, Beyond Housing’s properties saved its renters more than $3.9 million compared to market rent, providing essential financial relief to many in the current cost-of-living crisis.
Aside from the positive impact on tenants’ lives, Ms Adams said social housing benefitted the regions economically as well.
“These houses across Moira and Shepparton are being delivered by three different local builders, which is fantastic for our communities,” she said.
“It means employment, including for trades, apprentices, and local suppliers.”
The projects were completed by Sessions Builders, B&Co and Olympus Crest.
Ms Adams said research showed that it cost governments less to provide social housing to people experiencing homelessness than it did to leave them sleeping rough.
“These houses are not just helpful to their tenants, but society more broadly,” she said.
For more information on Beyond Housing, visit beyondhousing.org.au.
If you or anyone you know is experiencing or at risk of homelessness, phone 1800 825 955.
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