While concern about affordable housing makes national headlines, a local social housing trust is quietly selling units into the private market.
TWiSK’s attention has been drawn to the sale of 214F, 7 Greeves Street, St Kilda – a property in what was originally called the Inkerman Oasis – a council sponsored property development on a former council waste dump.
The two-bedroom unit (featuring disabled access bathroom and lift access) is currently owned by Housing First. Its part of mixed private/social housing development of 245 units created in 2003 after the council transferred it’s former depot to property developers in return for including social housing units.
According to HousingFirst’s website:
“3 & 7 Greeves Street was a transfer of 1.223ha from council to Inkerman Developments in return for the construction and transfer of 28 housing units as consideration for the land and at no construction cost to the council. The development was a joint venture between the City of Port Phillip and Inkerman Developments and is now managed by HousingFirst.”
Additional social housing was added in 2008 and 2012, making a total of 31 units managed by HousingFirst.
One of three vacant units set for sale
TWiSK contacted Housing First and received the following statement (in full):
“HousingFirst, as a Trustee of the Port Phillip Trust, is the owner of the apartment in question.
“It is one of three apartments currently vacant that HousingFirst plans to sell in the near term. This decision follows a detailed assessment of those assets, concluding that reinvesting the Trust’s capital towards newer, more cost-effective housing options will better support our mission of providing more urgently needed social housing in the City of Port Phillip.
“Since the Trust was established in 2005, the number of dwellings in the Trust has risen by 80%. More broadly, since 2005, HousingFirst has more than doubled the number of dwellings we operate within the City of Port Phillip – those in the Trust and those outside of the Trust and has an ongoing commitment to increase the supply of social housing within the City of Port Philip.”
Open for inspection
TWiSK visited the apartment for sale at an advertised open house last week. The property is listed for auction on 30 November in the $400k- $440K range.
The 20 years old apartment is light and bright, with a tree lined aspect. Up a single flight of stairs, but there is lift access and stepless accessible bathroom. When questioned about minor defects, the agent said “its being sold as is and that’s been factored into the price.”
Questions for Council
[Council did not respond by deadline] We submitted these questions:
Q1. Was council aware of these sales?
Q2. What are council’s expectations on the sale of social housing that it has supported?
Q3. What are the current arrangements for on-selling council supported social housing?
Whistle blowers welcome
TWiSK welcomes comment and information from the community about social and affordable housing in Port Phillip. Discretion assured. Email | 0418 345 829
Interesting Background
Oasis at Dump: The Age July 2005
https://www.theage.com.au/national/oasis-at-dump-20050727-ge0l1b.html
“Construction started in December 2000, and the $90 million project is about half complete, with 107 apartments occupied. When finished there will be 245 apartments, ranging from 65 to 85 square metres, in five new buildings to five storeys and one recycled heritage building – the Destructor. Thirty-two units will be community housing.”
Profile of the social housing at the Oasis site
1 x 1BR disability modified apartment
6 x 1BR apartments
11 x 1BR Older person apartments
7 x 2BR – family apartments
4 x 2BR Older person apartment
1 x 3BR – family apartments
1 x 4BR – family apartments
HousingFirst
