By CASEY NEILL
A HIDDEN Dandenong housing hub has become a haven for over-55s who need a hand.
Common Equity Housing on Monday 26 October celebrated filling the last of the units in Harmony Village, on Herbert Street.
Paul McDonald slept on the floor on his first night in his unit.
He’d spent the past five years in a rooming house, so had no furniture of his own. That’s about to change.
“Getting a home here is the best thing that’s ever happened to me – knowing I won’t have to move again has changed my life,” he said.
Common Equity Housing (CEHL) received $2.7 million through the Victorian Property Fund towards buying 20 units on the site for affordable housing.
“The government funding has enabled these high-quality units to house older people with low incomes who would otherwise be languishing in unaffordable and insecure housing the private market,” CEHL managing director Stephen Nash said.
A tenant co-operative is involved with managing their homes and common areas, including a community centre.
“It’s more than just affordable, secure housing – it’s an opportunity to be involved in a meaningful way,” Mr Nash said.
Co-op secretary Carole Bloomer said the co-op provided a sense of security, community and support.
She moved in four years ago, following a lung transplant in 2013.
“At that point I was living in a nice unit in Mount Waverley, but it was on a big block and inevitably they were going to knock it down,” she said.
Ms Bloomer was about to retire and couldn’t afford market rent on a pension.
“This was a godsend,” she said.
She made fast friends on her first day with Lyn Dempster, who has lived in the Dandenong area for 60 years.
“I’m just so happy to be here,” she said.
“We’re so lucky to have this.”
Ann O’Hara was the most recent addition to the neighbourhood, moving in two weeks ago.
She’s lived in Australia for 50-odd years, 26 of them in Noble Park, Eumemmerring and Doveton.
She also works part-time in Dandenong three days a week so was thrilled to be offered a place in Harmony Village.
“Everyone’s so friendly,” Ms O’Hara said.
“Dandenong is just wonderful.”
Dandenong MP Gabrielle Williams toured the village and said the project provided housing to tenants who would otherwise have difficulty in the private rental market.
“I was struck when I first came here by how beautiful it is,” she said.
“Getting a unit here has been a huge relief and a huge change in people’s lives.”
