Group Self Build
Group Self Build is an initiative that allows participants to receive a bridging loan from the Director of Housing to purchase land and build a home. Each group usually consists of about 12 homes which are located near each other.
Instead of providing a cash deposit for the bridging loan, participants contribute 20 hours per household per week for 12 months to build each other's homes.
When a house is completed the equity generated through the construction of the home is used to assist participants in obtaining long-term housing finance from a bank, credit union or other lender in order to repay the bridging loan.
The Director of Housing provides the bridging loan to pay for land, building materials and establishment costs. The loan must be repaid within 16 months of the land settlement date.
The Group Self Build program has been an innovative and successful initiative managed by the Department of Human Services and sponsored by the Victorian Property Fund.
Group Self Build has housed over 830 Victorian families in new homes.
Registering your interest
You can register your interest in Group Self Build if you:
- Are a permanent resident
- Meet the income and asset eligibility limits
- Can commit a minimum of 20 hours per week per household for 12 months
- Do not currently own a home
- Can provide evidence of your financial capacity to repay the bridging loan on the completion of the home
- Are able to obtain consent from the Building Commission to be an owner builder
After registering your interest we will arrange an assesment interview. If you meet the Group Self Build criteria, you will be given details of the house and land packages available in the group. You will then be able to nominate the house and land package you prefer.
Once we have enough people to enable the project to go ahead, an orientation meeting is held. At the orientation meeting, you will meet the other participants and your Building Adviser, as well as the Department's Project Officer. They will go over in detail what will be required to build the houses.
