Coburg Townhouses

Project Overview

BW proudly supports Women’s Property Initiatives (WPI) in addressing the systemic issue of homelessness among Australian women, driven by entrenched gender-based violence and economic vulnerability. Two-thirds of those seeking homelessness support are women, with many fleeing domestic violence or living in poverty.

Through pro-bono planning services for social housing projects such as this one in Coburg, BW has assisted WPI in creating permanent, secure, and affordable homes for women and children, helping to provide stability, safety, and access to vital support networks.

The Coburg Townhouses were commissioned by WPI to provide long-term accommodation for older single women and single mothers with children.

The project comprises 7 townhouses, set on formerly surplus council land alongside the Upfield Bike Path. WPI secured the surplus land from Moreland City Council with philanthropic funding.

Work Undertaken

BW managed planning permit application, engaging external technical inputs, undertaking community consultation, presenting at a Councillor briefing and Council presentations, and after successfully achieving a permit, supporting WPI with conditional compliance.

The project includes no car parking. Critical to the success of the project was that empathetic local planners and Councillors were able to think outside the constraints of restrictive planning and building codes. The result is high-quality, secure and safe homes for those who most need them – tenants who are overcoming the trauma of violence, homelessness and insecurity.

The innovative design by Schored Architects provides a high-quality development that is liveable and adaptable but also a source of pride. Schored Architects was awarded the Leading Housing Development Project in Victoria at the 2017 Australasian Housing Institute Awards for this project.