Elderly residents of seven public housing towers in Melbourne have expressed shock and anxiety after the Victorian government announced plans to demolish the buildings as part of a broader redevelopment program. The towers, located in Albert Park, Flemington, Kensington, North Melbourne, Prahran and St Kilda, are specifically designated for residents aged over 55, with many tenants in their 80s and 90s.
Lana Sawyer, 58, who lives with chronic health issues, said she felt 'completely blindsided' by the announcement. She had previously been told her tower in Albert Park would be among the last to be redeveloped. Anne Downey, 93, also a resident of the Albert Park site, expressed worry about the upcoming move, stating she will require assistance. 'I thought, “Well, it’s obviously going to be happening in my time”,' she said.
The government plans to demolish and rebuild all 44 high-rises by 2051, with the seven towers forming the second tranche. Relocations are set to begin in July, with each household assigned a relocations officer to help find suitable new homes. The government stated that priority would be given to keeping residents local if they wish.
However, housing advocates and residents have raised concerns about the process. The non-profit Housing For the Aged Action Group warned that the impact on this age group 'cannot be underestimated', citing chronic health conditions and age-related issues. Meanwhile, lawyers running a class action for residents in the first tranche of towers plan to take their case to the high court, seeking an injunction to prevent Homes Victoria from issuing vacate notices until legal proceedings are complete.
Victoria’s housing minister, Harriet Shing, defended the redevelopment, stating that the ageing towers have 'reached the end of their useful lives' and that replacing them will provide 'safer, suitable and more affordable homes for decades to come'. Critics, however, note that the program will result in only a 10% increase in social housing, with community housing providers able to charge higher rents than public housing.
