General News
28 February, 2026
Still empty?
16 brand new government homes in Ararat appear to still be empty, despite the government claiming half have been tenanted. The Ararat Advocate revisited the development in Grano Street this week to find no signs of life. The 16 one bedroom homes have sat empty since April 2025, despite an official opening and a promise they would be tenanted by June.
The units were built by the Elmstone Group and purchased by Homes Victoria, a statutory body owned by the Victorian Government.
This newspaper first reported on the empty homes in September, with a commitment they would soon be tenanted.
The homes were initially expected to be rented to older, single people, but the Advocate has since learnt they have been leased to Aboriginal Community Housing Victoria Limited.
ACHV have never responded to our requests for an interview.
The new homes were built as part of the Victorian Government’s $5.3 billion Big Build program to provide new social housing across Victoria.
A Government spokesperson this week informed the Advocate some of the homes do have tenants.
“Half of the homes at Grano Street have already been tenanted. When someone applies for social housing we work with them to source a property that suits their needs and location preferences - as is currently happening with the remaining homes.”
However, a visit to the site shows no sign of any tenants, no cars in the driveway and all units have their blinds drawn.
"The Allan Labor Government believes all Victorians deserve a safe, secure home. That's why we're building more and better social housing homes like those at Grano Street,” the Government spokesperson said.
"The $6.3 billion Big Housing Build and Regional Housing Fund are delivering 13,300 homes, with over 11,800 already complete or underway. That includes over $13 million which has built 43 homes for people who need them right here in Ararat."
The Advocate attempted to get comment from the Shadow Housing Minister and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party David Southwick, but he ignored our requests.
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