Sixteen new integrated social housing and support service homes will be built in Seymour this year.
The Wimble St homes are earmarked for individuals living with significant mental health concerns, allowing them to have a better quality of life within the community.
Built by Mind Australia and community housing provider The Haven Foundation, the residence will offer long-term housing with 24/7 support from Mind Australia's staff.
The project is expected to be completed by August.
Mind Australia housing strategy executive director Mark Heeney said the residence would liaise with GV Health, ensuring residents received the necessary case management.
“Mental illnesses and homelessness have really strong correlations. We recognise that people with mental illness have often experienced significant trauma within their lives,” Mr Heeney said.
"To really start working towards recovery, you need secure housing … if people don’t have access to stable housing, it’s really difficult to address those impacts of mental health.
“Because we have staff there 24 hours, seven days a week, it really ensures that people are supported around those aspects of their mental health.”
Mr Heeny said the program, funded the NDIS, would deliver a cost saving for state government due to a reduction in hospitalisations in the public system.
“There is an evaluation that LaTrobe is doing on this model and part of the findings is that it is having a positive impact on the reduction of hospitalisations,” he said.
“We all know too well that our public hospitals are too stretched at the moment, so we see this as a great outcome to ensure positive mental health and wellbeing.”
To be eligible for a home, individuals must be on the public housing wait list and have an NDIS plan. Preference will be given to local people if they meet the criteria.
Residents will receive assistance with daily living activities which are funded by their NDIS packages.
“Part of this project is providing people with the independence … so people not only have their own units, but can socialise with others on their own recovery from mental illness,” Mr Heeney said.
“Having that connection to the local community is really important.”
Launch Housing’s Australian Homelessness Monitor found homelessness had surged in regional Australia by 13 per cent, more than double the rate of state capitals.
The new development is part of the Victorian Government's $5.3 billion Big Housing Build, which promises 25 per cent of social housing properties built will be in regional Victoria, tackling the lack of affordable regional housing.
“Mind Australia has a strong regional presence and understands the needs and how they differ to folks that live in capital cities,” Mr Heeney said.
“Because of the increase in homelessness in regional Victoria, we see this as fundamental to closing that gap.”
Mind Australia has 96 homes in six locations across the state. There is a home already in Mooroopna with plans for developments in Wangarratta and Horsham in 2024.
A seminar for the community will be held in Seymour this year.
MIND Australia strongly encourage eligible individuals to apply for housing.
For more information, phone 1300 286 463 or head to the MIND Australia website.