Creating modular worker homes for Hopetoun

New worker accommodation will help Rural Northwest Health’s service delivery in the Wimmera.

It's like the meme says - modern problems require modern solutions.

When it comes to solving regional housing issues, that couldn’t be more true.

Take Swanbuild’s approach to providing worker housing for Hopetoun, for example.

Using a modular approach, the family-run company will construct 4 worker houses more than 130km away from their destination, before shipping them to site for an easy assembly.

Backed by a grant from the Victorian Government’s Regional Worker Accommodation Fund, the company will be helping to solve a major issue for the town, despite the tyranny of distance.

A small town in Victoria’s north west, Hopetoun is home to a healthcare service that is vital to the community.

But healthcare workers need somewhere to live – and, in small towns, accommodation isn’t always easy to come by.

With no rentals currently available, Hopetoun is in dire need of these modular homes, and help is on the way from the Mallee.

Like pieces of a puzzle

Unlike traditional housing, most of the modular construction process takes place in a factory.

In the case of Swanbuild, the company will build the 4 worker homes to 95% completion, before shipping them to site.

From there, local tradespeople will conduct the final assembly.

The result?

Enough bedrooms to support up to 12 healthcare workers, or a mixture of workers and their family members.

'Modular housing construction is faster than traditional methods and can be scaled to meet a range of needs,' said Swanbuild Director Josh Perryman.

'It's a game-changer for tackling Victoria's housing crisis, and a smart solution for regional areas like Hopetoun.'

The worker housing will also free up other rentals in the town, making it easier for more people to find a home and join the community.

More workers, more services

Once the homes are assembled and the workers are in, Rural Northwest Health (RNH) will be able to offer services to more of the community.

Servicing 7,000 people, RNH plays a crucial role in supporting the health and wellbeing needs of people on the northern edge of the Wimmera.

'The shortage of accommodation has affected us in several ways,' says RNH CEO Jenni Masters.

'We've had challenges recruiting, because there's been nowhere permanent for people to stay. It's also put cost pressures on us, and pressure on existing staff to cover vacancies.'

The new worker housing will address these issues, reduce pressure on staff and allow RNH to look at expanding programs and services.

It may even result in RNH being able to deliver services such as urgent care, which has been challenging due to staffing issues and has resulted in community members travelling to other centers for treatment.

'The housing will give us the resources we need to ensure we're offering the best models of care for the community,' said Jenni.

A state-wide approach

Through round one of the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund, the Victorian Government is supporting 12 healthcare accommodation projects across the state, including in Bairnsdale, Timboon and Shepparton.

Accommodation for other industries, including tourism, agriculture, food production and more is also being created through the Fund.

Learn more about the Regional Worker Accommodation Fund on the Regional Development Victoria website.