The Local Government Housing Innovation Program – a joint Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and Greater Dandenong City Council project – has received $500,000 in a grant announcement from the Commonwealth Housing Support Program.
The Commonwealth’s Program is designed to help achieve the National Housing Accord target of building 1.2 million new, well-located homes over 5 years.
The Local Government Housing Innovation Program will deliver resources for Councils to help accelerate new housing supply.
As part of this project, the Local Government Housing Innovation Program will deliver four multifaceted projects, working alongside specialists and the local government sector to deliver: AI procurement support for Victorian councils; strengthen social license for greater density development and inclusionary housing; explore under utilised public land; and explore the adaptive re-use of council owned buildings for housing.
MAV President Cr David Clark said the program was the continuation of the MAV – alongside councils – to find local solutions to address the housing crisis.
“Knowing the importance of local government leadership to address housing needs, the local government sector has taken a leadership role, working as a constructive partner with the Federal Government,” Cr Clark explained.
“The Local Government Housing Innovation Program will resource and support all Victorian councils to continue to play their role in managing population growth and increased well located housing supply in neighbourhoods and towns across the state.”
“The MAV thanks the Greater Dandenong City Council for their leadership and support in partnering with us on this funding application and the Federal Government for acknowledging the importance of this work.”
Mayor of Greater Dandenong City Council, Cr Lana Formoso said this project would benefit both their local community and the broader Victorian local government sector.
“Local Government works hard to deliver planning outcomes for communities, but Councils are sometimes constrained by resources and that we’re all working within our own boundaries. This program sees Greater Dandenong leading a series of initiatives to benefit all Victorian councils in their efforts to accelerate housing supply.” Mayor Formoso said.
“Greater Dandenong City Council is consistently the best performing Council in Victoria at having planning applications decided within statutory periods. We’re very well-placed to lead the adoption of AI technology and innovative approaches to support all Victorian Councils.
Our community is acutely impacted by housing shortages and cost of living pressures, so we’re proud to be collaborating with the Municipal Association of Victoria to level up our sector’s capacity to get new homes approved.”
