The offical sod turn of a new social housing development in Shepparton. Pictured: CatholicCare Victoria Housing board chair John Murphy, CatholicCare Victoria chief executive Agnes Sheehan, Senator for Victoria Jana Stewart and CatholicCare Victoria Housing chief executive Darren Shultz
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
A partnership between the Housing Australia Future Fund and Catholic Development Fund has seen construction begin at the site of a new social housing development in Shepparton.
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On Tuesday, October 6, representatives of the Victorian Government, Housing Australia, Catholic Development Fund, Nicholson Construction, CatholicCare Victoria and CatholicCare Victoria Housing gathered on site for the official sod turning, marking the beginning of the new build.
The $25 million project, which is expected to be completed by the second quarter of 2028, will deliver 41 much-needed one- and two-bedroom homes, with eligible tenants able to move in soon after completion date.
The homes aim to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, single mothers and their children, women and children escaping domestic violence, older women, veterans and individuals at risk of homelessness.
CatholicCare Victoria chief executive Agnes Sheehan said these houses would make a big difference to people who really needed a roof over their head to start again.
“A home is more than just a roof, it’s really a turning point in someone’s life,” Ms Sheehan said.
“It’s 41 opportunities for people and families to be given the security of a home.
“We will walk beside them to ensure they not only have a home but also provide them with greater security into the future.”
The Victorian Parliament’s 2025 inquiry into the supply of homes in regional Victoria found that there were 4487 applications identifying the Goulburn region as a preferred location for social housing.
More than half of those applications came from people with priority access.
“There is a significant and ongoing need for more social and affordable housing across Greater Shepparton and the broader Goulburn region,” Ms Sheehan said.
“We talk about the numbers, but each and every one of these applications is a person or family needing a safe and stable place to call home.”
CatholicCare Victoria continues to address the real shortages in social and affordable housing across the region with another 41-home development in Tatura under way.
The organisation has built a strong pipeline of 400 homes, focusing on regional Victoria, with 152 of their homes now fully occupied and 300 expected to be filled by Christmas.
Senator for Victoria Jana Stewart said the development was much more than just a project.
“I grew up in social housing,” Senator Stewart said.
“So for me, it’s not just another project because social housing gave me the security to go to school and grow up and be where I am today.”
A broad partnership is behind the new Shepparton development.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
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