THE Whitten Oval will become home to apartment buildings for the disadvantaged, a swim centre and gym under an $88.5million Western Bulldogs plan.

The Bulldogs HomeGround plan, under consideration by the State Government, spruiks the project as being "about opening the doors of the Bulldogs' home to hundreds of individuals and families looking for homes of their own".

It is being touted as the second stage of the Whitten Oval redevelopment, which has already attracted $30 million in funding to revamp the club's facilities and build a sports hall and child-care centre on the site.

In partnership with crisis accommodation provider HomeGround Services, the Bulldogs propose to:

Build 54 'Common Ground' supportive housing units and 197 affordable housing units on a strip of land that borders Geelong Road and Cross Street.

Put a 24-hour concierge service and CCTV in place at the apartment

buildings that will be up to five storeys high.

Construct a community learn-to-swim and hydrotherapy centre, and community fitness centre along Barkly Street.

Create 'The Tan of the West', a 1.2-kilometre running track that circles the oval.

HomeGround Services chief executive Stephen Nash said he hoped the Government would back the project by recommending it for funding under the Commonwealth's Nation Building scheme.

Saracen Properties has already committed $5 million to the project in return for building it and collecting rent from a small number of future commercial tenants. But for the project to go ahead, the Commonwealth has to fund the remaining $84.5million.

"We haven't had any firm no or yes from the State Government at the moment, but they're very interested," Mr Nash said.

"This really could be an iconic project that is of national significance as it integrates so many fantastic features for some of Australia's most vulnerable people."

The Common Ground units are based on a US solution to homelessness that houses a mix of people in one location, has strong safety features and other onsite services for tenants.

The plan has raised the ire of Maribyrnong Council, which accuses the Bulldogs of failing to consult with the community about the use of Crown land.

Bluestone Ward councillor Catherine Cumming said housing "was never part of the original plan [for the oval's redevelopment], so there's been no community consultation".

But Bulldogs chief executive Campbell Rose said the club was following due planning process.

"There's no intention for us not to consult with our community, but first you have got to have an [approved] project to consult on."

He said after discussing the plan with major stakeholders, including the council, the apartment complex had already been scaled down from 352 units and seven storeys.

Meanwhile, the Opposition has accused the Government of pushing new legislation through Parliament that would allow housing to come under approved uses of the Whitten Oval site.

The Western Bulldogs have posted an open letter about the project on its website here.