Houses that were compulsorily acquired to make way for the axed East West Link road project in Melbourne will be handed over to homeless people.
The Victorian government is handing over 20 of the homes to the Magpie Nest program, an initiative run by the Collingwood AFL club and Salvation Army to help find suitable accommodation for people sleeping rough or in unstable situations.
The homes, which will house around 50 people, are among the 92 residential and 20 commercial properties purchased by the previous Coalition state government to make way for the East West Link toll road.
Labor scrapped the $6.8bn project, which would have generated just 45c in economic benefit for every dollar spent and worsened congestion on some key roads, upon taking power in November. It has come under pressure from homeless groups to utilise the purchased properties to help alleviate a worsening shortage of affordable housing in Melbourne.
The state government said the handover of the 20 houses is an “initial transfer” and meets its promise that people who had their homes compulsorily acquired were given the option of buying them back.
Previous residents were given until 30 August to buy back their homes but most chose not to.
“We’ve offered people the opportunity to buy back their homes, and now we’re putting a roof over vulnerable families and individuals, giving them the chance to get back on their feet,” said Martin Foley, Victoria’s housing minister.
Major Brendan Nottle of the Salvation Army said he was “delighted” the homes will help people rebuild their lives.
However, some housing reform advocates have said the government has not gone far enough, pointing to Victoria’s bulging waiting list for public housing, which stands at 35,000 people and is growing.
The Council to Homeless Persons said 40 of the acquired East West Link homes should be turned over to those sleeping rough, arguing that the 1,000 Victorians who sleep on the streets each night should be the government’s first priority.
