Housing program helps bushfire-affected Victorians get back their land
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The Andrews Labor Government’s Short-Term Modular Housing program has helped more than 35 households get back on their land and in their communities since May 2020.
In order to address the issues of those who lost their homes in the 2019-20 Victorian bushfires, the Short-Term Modular Housing became available to them. The affordable housing is provisional and can be installed on a property for up to three years. This gives enough time for those affected by the fire to rebuild their homes.
“Short-Term Modular Housing gives people a safe and comfortable place to call home while they progress their permanent rebuild,” said Acting Minister for Police and Emergency Services Danny Pearson.
The homes come in standard designs that accommodate the owner’s needs. However, it can also be customised to meet specific needs of the user, such as mobility access requirements.
The housing program has been designed to be affordable. Property owners who avail to the program can pay only a small hiring fee. This hiring fee is benchmarked to public housing rates for affordability.
Aside from this, the program also offers independent advice, which is available from their financial counselling services. This is so to help the applicants in determining how much they can afford to pay for their temporary home.
The hiring fee for Short-Term Modular Housing will never be more than 25 per cent of a family or individual’s income. In most of the cases however, applicants have been approved for a lower hire fee.
“We’re proud to have supported more than thirty-five bushfire-affected families and individuals to return to their properties in Short-Term Modular Housing while they get on with their rebuild.” Acting Minister Pearson said.
Applications for Short-Term Modular Housing are still open and people are encouraged to apply. To be eligible, residents must be engaged in the Bushfire Recovery Support program and must have the intention to rebuild their residence within three years.
Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.
