Elderly public housing residents in Melbourne are facing forced relocation after the Victorian government confirmed seven high-rise towers for older residents will be demolished and redeveloped.
The towers, all designated for residents aged over 55, are located in Albert Park, Flemington, Kensington, North Melbourne, Prahran and St Kilda. Relocations are scheduled to begin from July as part of the long-term plan to redevelop all 44 of Melbourne’s public housing towers by 2051.
Residents say they were blindsided by the announcement, with some previously told their buildings would be among the last to be redeveloped. Many tenants are in their 80s and 90s and have lived in the towers for decades.
Lana Sawyer, 58, said she was concerned about the physical impact of moving, citing health issues and limited mobility. Other residents said the prospect of relocation had caused distress and uncertainty.
The announcement comes as lawyers running a class action for residents in earlier demolition tranches prepare to seek a high court injunction to delay eviction notices. About 30 residents remain in towers already scheduled for demolition by 2031.
Housing Minister Harriet Shing said the towers had reached the end of their usable life and would be replaced with modern, energy-efficient and affordable homes. The government said each household would be assigned a relocation officer, with efforts made to keep residents in their local area where possible.
Housing advocates warned relocations could have serious health impacts on older residents, particularly those with chronic conditions, as Victoria continues to grapple with a severe housing shortage.
