Villa Maria Catholic Homes (VMCH) is building 40 units in Ivanhoe, 9km north-east of Melbourne's CBD, for over 55s at risk of homelessness.
The NFP, which provides disability and aged care living services to 9,000 people across Victoria, expects construction of the project to begin early next year.
VMCH has 355 “affordable housing” units at 21 locations throughout Melbourne.
It also is a provider of high-end retirement villages and finances its affordable homes projects through organisation surplus and fundraising.
A VMCH spokeswoman said the group’s affordable housing was available for over 55s to rent for a portion of their income.
VMCH Board Chairman Julien O’Connell AO said the project aligns with the organisation’s belief that every person deserves a dignified life.
Mr O’Connell sighted the recent Anglicare Australia’s Rental Affordability Snapshot 2020, which found of 69,960 properties listed for rent across the nation, just 526 were affordable and suitable for a single person on the aged pension.
“In keeping with these findings and the absolute commitment of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and VMCH to provide accommodation for older people who have found themselves in difficult circumstances, we are proud to share this news,” Mr O’Çonnell said.
“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 commended his fellow Board members and the VMCH Executive team for their “absolute commitment” to invest in important projects which make a lasting and positive difference to the lives of many.
The independent living one and two-bedroom units in Ivanhoe will have their own kitchen, bathroom and living room.
New sites for VMCH’s affordable housing projects are chosen for proximity to shops, public transport and community outlets including, churches.
