By REBECCA BILLS
RESIDENTS at risk of having to leave Mount Evelyn due to housing affordability may be able to stay.
Community-based organisation Anchor, alongside Yarra Ranges Council and the Mount Evelyn Community Bank, are working together to secure land in Snowball Avenue, Mount Evelyn to establish a five-bedroom residence for those who no longer can afford to live in the area.
Anchor CEO John Devine said they were approached by members of the community who expressed concern that people over 55 were leaving the community as they could no longer afford to live there.
“We are currently in the application stage with council, with the aim to keep those at risk of having to leave the community due to financial constraints,” he said.
“The reality is that there are mature people who have worked most of their life, and depending on the person, are no longer able to live in independent accommodation.”
Mr Devine said the project was estimated to cost $1 million and was supported by Mount Evelyn Community Bank, Anchor and the Melbourne Lord Mayor’s Charitable Fund.
Billanook Ward Councillor Maria McCarthy said there was a lack of housing options in Mount Evelyn.
“Only four per cent of Mount Evelyn dwellings are flat units, compared to eight per cent of Yarra Ranges dwellings and 28 per cent of Greater Melbourne dwellings,” she said.
“The latest DHS rental report (March 2014) found that there was only one affordable one-bedroom property on the market for the entire Yarra Ranges municipality.
“The Snowball Avenue property will add five affordable lettings to Mount Evelyn.”
Cr McCarthy said Mount Evelyn was a place where people wanted to age and for those with lower incomes this was challenging.
“Mount Evelyn is an ideal place for older people due to its compact size, strong community feel and support – making it ideal for this kind of development,” she said.
“Residents can access the Men’s Shed, the new Community House and services including shops and the Post Office.
“It also has bus lines which enable travel to other areas to attend medical or other services located in Lilydale.”
Mount Evelyn Environment Protection and Progress Association (MEEPPA) president and former mayor Tim Heenan said the Snowball Avenue housing project was a fantastic idea.
“I hope this will start a domino effect and we have many more houses like this pop up,” he said.
“It is desperately needed.”
Mount Evelyn Community Bank spokesperson Jill Rule said they were happy to be supporting the project.
“Mount Evelyn Community Bank enjoys a strong relationship with Anchor and acknowledges the work it does with the homeless and those in foster care in our community,” she said.
Cr McCarthy said council was currently working with Anchor on finalising the timing for the public consultation.
“We anticipate that formal notification of surrounding neighbours will commence in the coming months.”
