Habitat for Humanity Victoria (HFHV) has announced that it will launch Build Back, a bushfire recovery housing program that’s the first of its kind for the organisation. It will build temporary houses for bushfire-affected families so they have a safe and secure place to live while their homes are being rebuilt.

The Black Summer bushfires that occurred earlier this year were catastrophic and the impact has been devastating on the land, property and affected communities. On top of this, the people are suffering health-wise and economically due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Suitable temporary housing could give these communities a huge help on their way back to stability and independence.

The Bushfire Recovery Housing pilot program will see HFHV build three, two-bedroom houses in the Towong Shire, made from shipping containers.

“Shipping containers offer a fantastic, cost effective option for building temporary housing. They’re transportable, self-contained and meet specific temporary home regulations making them an extremely viable choice,” HFHV business development manager Phil Wright explains.

The pilot was helped along with funding from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, giving $180,000, enough to fully fund the project. The Foundation is committed to increasing the supply of affordable housing to prevent homelessness.

The Foundations chief executive Dr Catherine Brown says: “This was an important new opportunity to connect our experience supporting affordable housing with our disaster relief response during the bushfires.”

Boral, Dulux, Bossini Kitchens and Universal fans have also generously contributed to this new program, providing goods in kind to complete the building of the temporary homes.

Habitat for Humanity Victoria will begin the building process in August with the plans to have families in their new temporary homes before October, so they can start building back their homes and their future.