Project Selection

The project may contain a number of the following features but it has been identified by the Steering Committee specifically because it:

The following project description was formed using information obtained from information available on the CEHL website at www.cehl.com.au and site visits by ACSA consultant Roland Naufal.

Project Overview

Harmony Village Dandenong was built by not-for-profit developers, Common Equity Housing (CEHL) and will be managed by community based aged care provider, Doutta Galla Aged Services. It comprises both a cooperative rental model of housing managed by CEHL and units available for purchase in a retirement village model run by Doutta Galla.

Why it is an innovative project

Harmony Village provides a mixed use outcome for older people by combining funding from a State Government social housing scheme with the Federal Government’s National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) with a Retirement Village life lease sales model. It is also an example of a successful partnership between an aged services provider and a community housing association.

Service Model

The only staff member on the Harmony Village site is an activities coordinator. In case of emergencies, residents have access to a Tunstall personal emergency alarm system.  Support services can be brought on site through government or resident funded means. Nearby health services include the Dandenong Hospital, GPs, specialist services, chiropractors and physiotherapists.

Residents have the opportunity to influence village facilities such as creating communal gardens or toolsheds. Harmony Village Dandenong provides opportunities for social connection through:

• A range of social, fitness and cultural activities coordinated on request, by the onsite coordinator
• Involvement in community life through the nearby RSL, Rotary and various ethnic and social organisations
• The village is just minutes from the train station and bus services.

The Built Environment

92 residential apartments are grouped in clusters comprising 76 two bedroom units and 16 one bedroom units. Apartments are built around a central community hub, providing residents and community groups the opportunity to gather for social activities.

All dwellings are single level to provide convenient access along with occupant safety. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic has been strongly separated so that only visitor or emergency vehicle traffic is catered for on site. All other traffic flow is underground. The site has security gates and a secure underground car park.

Presentation to Herbert Street aims to represent two double storey dwellings of similar scale to the remainder of the street. Internally dwellings have high natural daylight levels. 

High priority has been given to environmentally sustainable design and includes: passive solar design, strong natural ventilation, water harvesting, water efficient fittings and appliances and an evaluation of embodied energy. Significantly, ESD is to be promoted not simply to be responsible but to genuinely improve the amenity and well being for each of the residents.

Who the project serves

The development is specifically designed to cater for older residents. The units are for people over the age of 55 and with current relationships and links to Dandenong. The rental units are for older people on a low income, the majority on the aged pension.

Funding Sources

Common Equity Housing Limited (CEHL) purchased the Harmony Village site from the RSL to develop low-cost social housing; catering specifically for older people. The land was sold at below market value on the basis that CEHL provide residences for 30 older RSL residents living in sub-standard conditions at a nearby site.

CEHL used a combination of sources to secure the capital funding for the project including the State Governments "Strategy for Growth in Housing for Low Income Victorians". Harmony Village also contains 32 units on their own registered retirement village title to be sold to generate funding. National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) funding was secured for the 60 units that will be rented.

Project Auspice

Common Equity Housing Ltd (CEHL) is a registered housing association established in 1987 to provide a means for lower income earners to access rental properties that they manage and control on a co-operative and secure basis. CEHL owns over 2000 properties across Victoria, with a current value in excess of $450 million.

CEHL is committed to providing security of tenure and promoting co-operation and the sharing of responsibilities between individuals as a path to building supportive communities. CEHL is a not for profit company established for the purpose of providing housing, resources and support to volunteer rental housing co-operatives across Victoria.