Tender documents seen byThe Age state an indicative handover date for legacy Commonwealth Games housing of April 2027,due to expected landscaping,repair and refurbishment works.
Earlier this week,the federal government had not ruled out allowing Victoria to use the social housing fund for Games infrastructure,much to the frustration of local councils and housing groups. But under the deal,Victoria will not be allowed to use the funding for the athletes’ villages.
A federal government spokeswoman confirmed Victoria was on track to receive its $496 million by July 1.
“States have some flexibility in how they use the funds to boost social housing stock,” she said.
Master Builders boss Tristan Moseley said he expected the cash injection to deliver 1200 homes,based on what the Victorian government’s Big Housing Build had been able to deliver so far.
One Labor MP,speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal matters,warned the figure may be as low as 700 or so homes,but the government would have more to say on housing later this year. The MP added there was a push among the Labor caucus for the government to prioritise two- and three-bedroom apartments.