Affordable housing for at-risk youth on council’s agenda

By Anna McGuinness

Sep 19, 2022

On the agenda: Greater Shepparton City Council will meet on Tuesday, September 20. Photo by Megan Fisher

Greater Shepparton City Council will consider whether to provide in-principle support for a youth housing project to lease land in Shepparton at its September meeting.

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The council previously underwent community engagement on a proposal by non-profit Kids Under Cover to lease land at 4 Deane Crt, Shepparton, for affordable housing purposes.

In August, Kids Under Cover wrote to council withdrawing interest in 4 Deane Crt and having explored alternatives sites with council officers, found 20-22 Perrivale Dve, Shepparton to be more suitable.

The land would be used to develop a Village 21 program — aimed at helping at-risk young people transition to independent living from out-of-home care.

The program would support six young people aged between 18 and 21, with the proposal including a communal building, three two-bedroom studios and two one-bedroom studios for live-in mentors.

The report before council recommends it undertake a community engagement process advertising its intent to lease the land at 20-22 Perrivale Dve and invite public submissions, which would be considered at a future meeting before a decision is made.

The land is identified as a reserve and the report to council says it is considered capable of accommodating the proposal and formalised open space given its size and unembellished nature.

The report also notes the proposal aligns with the objectives of the Greater Shepparton Affordable Housing Strategy in providing accommodation to at-risk people.

At Tuesday’s meeting, the council will also note the findings of an assessment of 16 sites across Kialla, Mooroopna and Shepparton for affordable housing purposes and consider whether to seek community feedback on potential future sale of air space above three council-owned car parks in Shepparton.