Powerful Action, Promising Future

In a powerful example of how a commitment can create lasting change, Sunkin Property Group’s partnership with Homes for Homes is channelling a portion of proceeds from their Highett Common project into funding for social and affordable housing projects across Victoria.  

Through its commitment, Sunkin is making the first of significant contributions to the Victorian funding pool, supporting social and affordable housing projects for people experiencing homelessness, housing stress and disadvantage. It’s an example of what becomes possible when developer partners use commercial success to connect the homes they create to the broader housing needs of local and surrounding communities.  

At a time when more than 30,000 Victorians are experiencing homelessness, practical funding for new housing projects is urgently needed. In Bayside, the need is also clear. Research estimates that 7,500 Bayside residents live in poverty, representing 9% of the local population. More than 2,900 households in Bayside experience housing stress, while more than 1,000 households need affordable housing (Bayside City Council Health and Wellbeing Profile, Bayside Affordable Housing Strategy 2021, Bayside City Council) 

These figures remind us that housing insecurity exists in every community, including those that may not always be associated with disadvantage. They also show why values-led partnerships like this matter. 

Located on the former CSIRO site in Melbourne’s south-east, Highett Common provides a way of living for Bayside’s growing suburbs, repurposing land with potential for housing that delivers community, sustainability and innovation in a new environment. The precinct has been recognised for its design and environmental credentials, including as the 2023 winner of Best Apartment Development, Best Eco-Friendly Apartment Development and Best Apartment Landscape. It has also been designed to become Victoria’s first net zero targeted community. 

Through Homes for Homes, Sunkin is extending that commitment beyond the development itself. Through their contribution, they are directly helping to create a long-term funding pipeline for housing projects and outcomes that will give Victorians experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity and disadvantage the safety, stability and security of a home.  

The partnership has also been supported by Bayside City Council, which has recognised and integrated Homes for Homes into its Affordable Housing Strategy, and works with local developers to encourage practical contributions to housing solutions in the area. 

Together, Sunkin, Bayside City Council and Homes for Homes are showing what can happen when shared values are turned into action. Sunkin’s leadership demonstrates the role the property sector can play in creating lasting community benefit, with funds raised in Victoria staying in Victoria to support social and affordable housing projects. 

To the Sunkin team, thank you. Your partnership is already helping build momentum for more safe and secure homes across Victoria, and showing how thoughtful development can create impact far beyond the project itself.