‘Being sold and not told — that makes me even more angry and disappointed,’ said one of the many HF Oasis tenants contacted by TWiSK last week.
None of the tenants contacted had been informed of the sale by HF. Instead, they learnt about it through calls from a community legal service and the tenants’ activist group Renters and Housing Union (RAHU).
Tenants weren’t the only ones kept in the dark. Local MPs Nina Taylor and Josh Burns were also not told, despite making personal representations to HousingFirst CEO Jan Berriman earlier this year.
Even after direct enquiries from TWiSK, HF has failed to provide clear information, saying only that it ‘is still progressing with the sale of the properties at Greeves St, as per our asset renewal strategy’.
Council was a little more forthcoming, saying that ‘HousingFirst has advised that contracts have now been exchanged for the Greeves Street properties, with settlements to occur progressively as resident relocation outcomes are achieved. The sales process is continuing in parallel with tenant relocation and support activities.’
If only that were true.
In a statement to TWiSK (reproduced in full below), HF makes a number of claims that current tenants say are simply not their experience.
HF claims that ‘Every resident is being offered alternative housing options that take into account their individual needs, preferences and personal circumstances, together with tailored relocation support.’
Multiple tenants told TWiSK this is not their experience.
HF claims that ‘Residents are being supported to relocate to alternative community housing, with HousingFirst working closely with each resident to identify the most appropriate housing outcome.’
Again, tenants told TWiSK that this bore little resemblance to their experience.
Some tenants have gratefully accepted relocation, but others contacted by TWiSK say they have not received suitable formal offers. TWiSK believes HousingFirst’s use of ‘every resident’ and the generic ‘residents’ is disingenuous.
Local MP Nina Taylor also highlighted the gulf between HF’s words and tenants’ reality.
‘It is disappointing that, despite first hearing in March of the decision to sell the Oasis apartments in Greeves Street, St Kilda, some residents have still not been given any formal offers of alternative housing,’ she told TWiSK.
It’s no surprise that Taylor and Burns are concerned about the loss of local social housing. Daily headlines point to a housing crisis, while governments look to developers to build more — and at higher densities. Victoria is also overhauling public housing, including plans to demolish public housing towers in Inkerman Street and Victoria Avenue.
Lack of transparency promotes uncertainty
HousingFirst is a significant not-for-profit property developer with a wide portfolio, mostly outside Port Phillip. Through trust structures established by its founders, it is obliged to use the sale proceeds to further social housing in Port Phillip. But what will $9.5 million buy in today’s construction market?
Simple maths puts the Oasis sale price at $380,000 per unit: $9.5 million divided by 25. Applying the same calculation to the Marlborough Street social housing completed beside Balaclava Station in 2023 gives about $760,000 per unit: 46 units in a $35 million project.
Mmmm. Will $9.5 million get anywhere near 25 homes at today’s prices?
While HF appears adept at developing properties, its record as a landlord providing security and community is less convincing.
Oasis tenants say they were told they could stay for as long as they met their obligations. They made life decisions based on those assurances. They were betrayed.
But it didn’t have to be this way. As one tenant put it, it should have been tenants first, sale second. ‘They’ve chosen to do it in the wrong order and it’s been psychological torture, with months of uncertainty and stress,’ she said.
The council created and funded these units to maintain affordable housing for people who considered St Kilda — and Port Phillip — their community: an oasis from the perils of the private rental market.
This process is a shambles — and a betrayal of social housing’s core promise: security, stability and community.
HousingFirst statement to TWiSK, 11 September 2026
‘HF are still progressing with the sale of the properties at Greeves St, as per our asset renewal strategy.
HousingFirst continues to work closely with affected residents and engages with each household individually to understand their circumstances, needs and preferences.
Our priority is to support every affected resident to transition to suitable alternative community housing that meets their needs. Every resident is being offered alternative housing options that take into account their individual needs, preferences and personal circumstances, together with tailored relocation support. Suggestions that residents are being evicted are inaccurate. Residents are being supported to relocate to alternative community housing, with HousingFirst working closely with each resident to identify the most appropriate housing outcome, providing property viewings, practical relocation assistance and ongoing support throughout the relocation process.
A number of residents have already relocated or are progressing relocation arrangements, while HousingFirst remains actively engaged with those who are still considering available housing options.
For privacy reasons, HousingFirst does not comment on the circumstances of individual residents or commercial terms beyond information already in the public domain.
HousingFirst can confirm that Balluk Willam Court is not planned for sale.’
Council statement, 11 September 2026
Media Response – to be attributed to City of Port Phillip Acting General Manager Community Wellbeing Brian Tee
Is Council aware that the Oasis social housing units have been sold, raising more than $9 million?
‘Council was informed by HousingFirst of its plans to sell the 28 community housing units at Inkerman Oasis as part of its asset renewal strategy. However, Council is not aware of, and cannot verify, the reported sale value of more than $9 million.
HousingFirst has advised that contracts have now been exchanged for the Greeves Street properties, with settlements to occur progressively as resident relocation outcomes are achieved. The sales process is continuing in parallel with tenant relocation and support activities.’
Can Council confirm whether the proceeds will remain in Port Phillip and be directed to social housing?
‘Yes. Under the Port Phillip Trust Deed, HousingFirst is required to reinvest proceeds from the sale of these units into new community housing within the City of Port Phillip.
HousingFirst has advised that proceeds from the sale will contribute to the redevelopment of the Grosvenor project in Balaclava. The redevelopment is expected to increase community housing capacity on the site from 20 dwellings to 68 dwellings when completed, currently anticipated in 2027.’
What is Council’s position on the impact of the sale on current tenants?
‘Our Council acknowledges that relocation can be a significant change for residents and understands HousingFirst will continue providing appropriate support throughout the process. HousingFirst has advised Council that it is working closely with each affected household to understand their individual circumstances, needs and preferences.
HousingFirst has stated that all residents are being offered alternative community housing options that take account of their individual needs and circumstances, together with tailored relocation support.’
Nina Taylor MP response, 11 September 2026
‘It is disappointing that despite first hearing of the decision to sell the Oasis apartments on Greaves St, St Kilda in March, some residents have still not been given any formal offers of alternative housing.
Whilst not a State Government asset(s), the State Government has been on hand to provide assistance as required.
No one in St Kilda or our surrounding community should have to sleep rough. That’s why I’m proud to back a plan that backs the people and services working every day to get Victorians into safe, stable homes – from outreach on our streets to crisis accommodation and long-term social housing.’
