The Victorian government has pledged $5.3 billion in building 12,000 social housing homes in the Australian city of Melbourne and surrounding areas, as per Guardian report.

The allocation for the project will be a part of the state’s 2020/21 budget slated for release on November 24. According to the project, 9,300 new homes and a replacement of 1,100 existing public housing units will be delivered.

Daniel Andrews, the Victorian premier, stated that 2,000 new lodgings would provide residence for people living with mental illness, while 2,900 new, yet affordable low cost homes would be provided as lodgings for low-to-moderate income earners to allow them to live closer to work, as per news media outlet Guardian.

Andrews stated, “This will change lives – giving thousands of Victorians the security and stability of a home.”

He added, “It’s a profound investment in a stronger, fairer Victoria – a Victoria that recognises everyone deserves a place to call home,” as per news media outlet Guardian.

1,000 dwellings would also be made available for Indigenous Victorians while another 1,000 would facilitate living for victims of family violence, reported Guardian quoting the Victorian premier.

Also Read: Australia appoints prosecutor to probe alleged war crimes in Afghanistan

Andrews added that the homes that would be provided must meet seven-star standards and must also be comfortable during summer and winter months.

According to the program envisaged, 10,000 jobs would also be created a year over the next four years, and 6,000 dwellings will be completed within 18 months, the Victorian Premier added.

Housing Minister Richard Wynne stated that 25% of the funding for the project would be committed to regional Victoria.

“Whether you’re in Wonthaggi, Portland or Wodonga, you will be a recipient of this investment going forward,” he told reporters on Sunday.

Sam Hibbins, the Victorian Greens acting spokesperson emphasised that homelessness was a key social justice issue in the state and added the best way to help people in need of proper housing would be to build homes for them, as per news media outlet Guardian.

Also Read: Austria plans ‘mass tests’ to help exit virus lockdown

Hibbins welcomed the package and added that more than 100,000 people were on the waiting list for public housing.

The Victorian Council of Social Service Chief, Emma King called the program a massive leap, as per Guardian. She said “This colossal investment will mean fewer people cold, hungry and homeless, and more people in work,”, as per news media outlet Guardian.