VMCH launches new affordable housing development

Aged care and disability provider Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH) has greenlighted a new affordable housing development, with construction set to begin on 40 new homes in Melbourne early next year.

The organisation currently provides affordable homes for 400 older people who are at risk of homelessness and has more than 380 independent living units at 21 locations in metropolitan Melbourne and Bacchus Marsh.

The latest development, which like others will be funded through organisational surplus and fundraising, will be located in the Melbourne suburb of Ivanhoe.

VMCH’s affordable units are available to people aged over 55 with assets of less than $350,000 who meet income critera.

Residents pay a rental and maintenance fee representing 25 per cent to 30 per cent of their monthly income and have a lifetime licence to occupy the unit as long as they are safe and meet their rental obligations.

VMCH Board Chairman Julien O’Connell AO said the recent Anglicare Australia Rental Affordability Snapshot found of the 69,960 listed for rent across Australia, only 526 were within reach of a single person on the aged pension.

 “We are conscious that, on some occasions, these are the forgotten members of our society. As such, we are pleased to be able to support, care and recognise these people as valuable individuals who deserve to be treated with the utmost dignity and provided with a safe and secure place to call home,” Mr O’Connell said.

It comes as a two separate reports recently underscored the need for affordable housing for older people, and especially older women.

A report by Housing for the Aged Action Group and Social Ventures Australia found 240,000 women aged 55 and over are at risk of homelessness.

Meanwhile, another report from the University of Western Sydney round single women aged 55 and over are over-represented among Australia’s asset poor, and are one of the fastest growing groups of homeless people people nationally.

*Main image: One of VMCH’s affordable homes (supplied)

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