Planning application documents submitted to council show the units at four addresses, with a mix of single and double-storey buildings on vacant and untenanted land owned by the Director of Housing.

Wendouree MP Juliana Addison said in a statement the state government had committed $209 million to build 1000 new homes across the state.

"We're kicking this off in Ballarat with eight new units in Wendouree and two in Ballarat East as part of the first phase of construction," she said.

Ballarat is part of the first phase of 160 houses on sites - this is on top of the announcement at Mitchell Park last month, where nine new homes will be built as part of the state government's $1 billion Social Housing Growth Fund.

READ MORE: New social housing dwellings to be built in Mitchell Park

Snowdon Developments business development manager, Dave Campbell, said it was a good approach to helping people in need - the new units maximised the land available, while still allowing living standards well above the minimum required.

He added it was also a timely update for ageing social housing stock currently available.

"To be able to utilise the land properly and get two or three families on a block - I feel good about these projects myself because it's helping people who need it," he said.

"The minimum standard for energy is six, and they've gone above to seven to keep the bills down and give residents better, more comfortable living, that's a significant thing.

READ MORE: Homeless women struggle to access affordable housing

"They're not just thinking of one tenant, they're thinking about the life of the house, which is an interesting way of doing it."

He added the homes will have solar panels installed, and will include modular features that can be changed for tenants, for example wheelchair access or moving handrails.

Builders selected through a public tender process are also part of the Public Tenant Employment Program (PTEP), which helps public housing residents gain the hands on experience and training they need to enter the workforce.

Construction will commence once council approval has been finalised - the 10 properties are expected to be completed by late 2022.

ALSO IN THE NEWS:

The state government is also undertaking a masterplan with the local community for the revitalisation of public housing in Delacombe.

The Council To Homeless Persons said last month the state government would need to increase social housing by 6000 dwellings per year over ten years.

There were more than 44,000 households on the social housing waiting list in Victoria in February.

Have you signed up to The Courier's variety of news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in Ballarat.