A public housing facility in Healesville is set to be sold, with the future uncertain as to whether it will remain an affordable housing option.
Kalimna House on Bradshaw Drive in Healesville was previously owned by Community Housing Victoria Limited (CHLV) and is currently under offer.
Eildon MP Cindy McLeish said it is disappointing that the Kalimna House property is being sold when we have such a shortage of community housing and beds available for those who need them most.
“This would be great short-term accommodation for women living without a roof over their heads or in their cars,” she said.
“Once again, the Allan Labor Government has missed an important opportunity here to support those in the Healesville and Yarra Ranges community.”
CHLV was unable to comment as the property is on the market and the intentions of any future owner are unknown.
Ms McLeish has raised the underuse of Kalimna House multiple times in the state parliament in recent years, with concerns about the facility being underutilised.
In May 2023, Ms McLeish asked then housing minister Colin Brooks why only four of five people with low incomes were living in the facility and again on 14 October this year, questioned why there was only one occupant despite the need for more social and affordable housing options.
Mr Brooks said in a response in September 2023 that at the time of the Covid-19 pandemic, keeping Kalimna House occupancy at a lower density alleviated some of the renter safety, health and wellbeing challenges.
“CHVL recently organised an independent assessment of Kalimna House to determine options for the dwelling moving forward,” it reads.
“CHVL will consider a redevelopment of the site to provide a design that better meets the needs of the local community and high-quality accommodation inclusive of environmental sustainability.”
Current Minister for Housing and Building Harriet Shing was contacted for comment.
According to the listing, Kalimna House is a 22-bedroom, 19 bathroom facility on a 2801 square metre block, with the actual building accounting for 768 square metres. It has two fully functional kitchens, a commercial kitchen in need of refurbishment, a large common space and 10 car spaces.
With an indicative price of $1,040,000, ‘the property presents endless potential to reimagine and repurpose into respite accommodation, a retreat centre, medical facility or a large-scale rental opportunity’ according to Mark Gunther First National Real Estate in Healesville who are managing the sale.
