Thursday, March 14, 2024

Tag: VIC

Melbourne could soon become the cheapest city for renters

…while Canberra remains the most expensive

House rents have hit record highs in every capital city in Australia except Melbourne, Perth and Darwin.

But for the first time on record, Melbourne has become the second-most-affordable capital city in Australia in which to rent a house, equal with Perth and behind Adelaide.

Melbourne could become the most affordable city in the country in which to rent a house and unit this year, if present trends continue.

Read the full article at www.abc.net.au

 

Re-imagining Affordable & Sustainable Housing in Geelong

More affordable housing options are coming to light that promote collective living and sustainable designs.

Collective housing enables a group of residents to design their own sustainable compact home at cost.

One of the speakers at Geelong Sustainability’s Clever Living seminar on ‘Innovative options for affordable housing’ is Tim Riley, founder of Property Collectives.

Mr Riley said building with a collective allows people to take control of their housing options and create higher quality living spaces at cost.

More affordable housing means homeowners aren’t weighed down by massive monthly mortgage repayments, which frees up their finances to help pay for other household expenses that are often neglected including property maintenance and gutter cleaning in Geelong.

Read the original news article here.

Geelong’s rapid growth could spell housing affordability woes, say experts

Booming house prices in Geelong have raised concerns about the city’s ability to maintain such rapid growth and stay affordable.

Greater Geelong recorded the strongest house price growth in Victoria over the June quarter, according to the Domain Group House Price Report released on Thursday.

The area, which included suburbs from Lara (about 20 kilometres north of Geelong city) to Leopold (10 kilometres to the south) saw the median house price jump 3.7 per cent for the quarter to $530,000.

House prices have increased 15.2 per cent over the past year, much higher than Melbourne’s 0.5 per cent annual growth.

While the area remains much cheaper than Melbourne, some Geelong suburbs, including the city centre and Newtown, were creeping closer to Melbourne prices with medians above $720,000.

Deakin University Geelong planning expert Professor Louise Johnson said buying a home was becoming harder for some long-time residents.

Read the full article in Domain.

Acclaim for Haven; Home, Safe program Sidney Myer Haven

A Bendigo-based housing and support initiative has received its fourth accolade in two years.

What can the Sidney Myer Haven program teach us about tackling homelessness?

MICHELLE Marschall’s eyes widened as she reflected on her first few months at the Sidney Myer Haven centre.

“Intense” was the word the 25-year-old used to describe the program, which couples affordable housing with education.

“It’s confronting to have to open up and take on board that they’re there to help you, not hurt you,” Michelle said.

But life has changed for the better since she decided to commit to the two-year initiative, based in Flora Hill.

She and her four-year-old son live in a place where they feel safe and supported.

They have made friends with the other residents.

And Michelle is working towards the goal she identified when she first moved into the centre – becoming a nurse.

Read the full article in the Bendigo Advertiser.