General News
30 November, 2025
New homes sit empty
TWO more months have passed since the Advocate revealed 16 brand new units in Grano Street were sitting empty, with no sign anyone is moving in soon. The homes have sat empty since April, despite an official opening and a promise they would be tenanted by June.
The 16 single bedroom units were built by the Elmstone Group and purchased by Homes Victoria, a statutory body owned by the Victorian Government.
The Advocate has since learned that the homes, which were initially expected to be rented to older, single people, have since been leased to Aboriginal Community Housing Victoria Limited.
The Advocate has received no response from Aboriginal Community Housing Victoria.
The new homes were built as part of the Victorian Government’s $5.3 billion Big Build program to build new social housing across Victoria.
A Homes Victoria spokesperson told us in September the $4 million development increases much needed housing options for Ararat locals in need.
But more than eight months since they were completed, they remain empty, despite a chronic housing shortage in Victoria.
Shadow Housing Minister Richard Riorden said it’s an unacceptable situation.
“We have an MCG and a half full of people (in Victoria) that have nowhere to sleep tonight and we’ve got 16 units sitting empty in Ararat which is scandalous.