Spotlight on: Swift Walk Kensington

Located just 4km from the Melbourne CBD, Swift Walk was delivered through a partnership between Housing Australia, Assemble, Housing Choices Australia and HESTA, with debt funding support from ANZ Bank and Treasury Corporation of Victoria.   The project demonstrates a new model for the delivery of large-scale social and affordable housing—bringing together government, institutional investors and community housing expertise to deliver much-needed housing for Australians on lower and middle incomes.

^{Photo caption - Pretar Caroline Harris, Housing Australia CIO (far right) alongside (left to right) Darren Smith, Aboriginal Housing Victoria CEO, Michael Lennon, Interim CEO Housing Choices Australia, Debby Blakey, HESTA CEO, The Honourable Jo Briskey MP, Member for Maribyrnong, The Honourable Clare O’Neil, Federal Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Cities, Michael Larkin, Treasury Corporation of Victoria CEO, Angela Emslie, Assemble Board Chairperson, Kevin Corbally, Managing Director Capital, ANZ.}

Swift Walk offers a diverse range of tenants appropriate, affordable and conveniently located housing. For those eligible for affordable apartments, such as frontline and essential workers on lower incomes, rent is priced at 25% lower than market rate. All residents have access to high‑quality shared amenities including green spaces, co‑working and multipurpose rooms, a gym, workshop and rooftop BBQ areas. A supermarket and other retail are conveniently located at ground level.

Swift Walk is managed through a strategic partnership between Assemble and tier-one community housing provider Housing Choices Australia in close collaboration with specialist community housing provider Aboriginal Housing Victoria, to support First Nations residents. This collaborative approach is central to Swift Walk’s unique housing model, reflecting a commitment to providing secure, well‑managed homes that meet the diverse needs of tenants and the community.

This innovative housing project is delivering long-term housing outcomes in central Melbourne for Australians who need it most. With HAFF funding, Swift Walk increased the number of social and affordable apartments in the precinct and offers more Australians housing security in this high‑demand area.

More information about Swift Walk is available via the Assemble website.