More public housing would be built in Ballarat for homeless people and those fleeing family violence under a re-elected Labor government.
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Premier Daniel Andrews and Housing Minister Martin Foley announced the $209 million, three-year investment on Wednesday.
The promise would bring the creation of 1000 houses across Victoria.
"No woman and her children should have to stay in an abusive, violent relationship because there is not suitable accommodation for her and her kids to get away from that danger," Mr Andrews said.
There would be 800 one and two-bedroom homes and 200 three-bedroom homes to be built in Geelong, Ballarat, Darebin, Maribyrnong, Stonnington and Whitehorse council areas.
The exact allocation of the houses has not yet been revealed.
Mr Andrews said the homes were being built in areas where residents would be supported by community services.
There are more than 82,000 people on the social housing waiting list, according to the Victorian Council of Social Service.
VCOSS chief Emma King backed the promise, but both she and Mr Andrews said more could be done if the federal government got involved.
"Along with our colleagues in community sector organisations, we have been meeting with the federal government for some time to advocate about the need for the federal government to work with the state government," Ms King said.
But the federal government has said "not a lot" in response, Ms King told reporters.
The promise comes 38 days before the state election and on the same day it was reported government MPs had been requested by Victoria Police to be interviewed over the red shirts rorts scandal from the 2014 campaign.
Last election, Labor diverted nearly $388,000 in parliamentary allowances to some campaign staff, an Ombudsman investigation found.
Labor has paid back the money and Mr Andrews would not comment on media reports on Wednesday because it was an active investigation.
- Australian Associated Press