Kilmore property to offer stability, support for families under pressure
BY KIRRALEE NICOLLE
The Salvation Army recently unveiled a new property in Kilmore, a town about 65 kilometres north of Melbourne CBD.
The property, a four-bedroom modern family home, has been strategically placed in the region to provide for families who would otherwise struggle to find affordable housing.
The Salvation Army’s Manager for Homelessness in North West Victoria, Cara Brackstone, said the project was championed by donors Geoff and Louise Barrow, who gathered the support of about 30 donors in their network to fundraise $379,850 toward the purchase.
Cara said Mitchell Shire was chosen as the ideal location for several reasons. She said regional housing affordability and availability had been strained following the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting population shift.
“As a significant growth corridor for Melbourne, we are experiencing a population boom in the area, with more than a doubling of population anticipated between 2021-2031,” she said.
“At the same time, there is a lack of affordable and diverse housing in the area, placing households at a greater risk of homelessness and housing stress or forcing relocation out of their community to access sustainable housing options.”
Cara said the accommodation would be rented to families at an affordable rate for a minimum of 12 months, enabling these households to gain some stability and support while finding longer-term options.
She said Salvation Army Housing Victoria would also provide property and tenancy management, and homelessness services in Seymour would offer case management support to achieve housing goals.
“The Salvation Army Homelessness stream has support services available in Mitchell Shire and active collaboration with Mitchell Shire Salvos,” she said. “This would mean that any family accommodated would have a range of opportunities to link with community and with The Salvation Army.”
