Women’s Property Initiatives,
Southeast Melbourne

Projects in need

A development in Melbourne’s southeast is providing homes for low-income, women led, local families, many of whom will have had experience with family violence.

A WPI project

In 2020, WPI completed the construction of six detached homes in Melbourne’s outer east. The homes are fully self-contained with their own street address, garage for off-street parking and substantial back garden.

The Council are acutely aware of the need for affordable rental housing in their municipality and have worked closely with WPI on this project. Their research has highlighted issues through Melbourne’s south-east growth corridor with family violence, family breakdown and homelessness.

The development provides homes for low-income, women led families, many of whom will have had experience with family violence.

These are families that were already living in the area and struggling to afford private rents. These homes have allowed them to remain in Cardinia and maintain their connections to the community, including jobs, schools, and support services.

VPF funded

Construction was undertaken with funding from the Victorian Property Fund and with a generous contribution from the Edward Wilson Trust.

The project is located in an established residential area, which is very well positioned to town facilities, education and public transport infrastructure and other amenities.

The homes are architecturally designed to maximise energy efficiency and minimize running costs for the low-income tenants. The design maximises natural direct sunlight into each back yard. Surrounded by parkland, the homes are within walking distance of the town centre, train station and local schools.

The homes were specifically designed to be in keeping with the character of the existing neighbourhood to ensure that blend into the community.

The two single-storey houses have also been designed to provide greater accessibility to accommodate people with a disability.