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 can also provide a special short-term loan to pay for land, building materials and establishment costs. This must also be repaid when the construction of a home is completed. 

The Group Self Build program has been 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 loan on the completion of the build
• 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’ll be given details of the house and land packages available in your area.  Then you will 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’ll meet the other participants and your Building Adviser, as well as the Department's Project Officer.  They’ll go over in detail what will be required to build the houses.