1,000 homes to be provided by June 30, 2017 for seniors and families with children on the priority waitlist for social housing
Package includes $452 million of land and housing development
The State Government will halve the number of seniors and families with children on the priority waitlist for social housing with a $560 million investment package. Housing Minister Colin Holt said the social housing investment would deliver 1,000 extra homes, which would be built, purchased or leased over the next two years. “This investment is targeted at the most vulnerable people on the priority waitlist for social housing,” he said.
To be announced in the 2015-16 State Budget, the $560 million package comprises $85 million of Department of Housing land, $452 million (including $85.2 million from Royalties for Regions) for housing development and $23 million in operational costs. “The package will deliver up to 1,500 dwellings, including 1,000 extra homes for seniors and families with children on the priority waitlist,” Mr Holt said. “The focus will be on constructing new homes, augmented by spot-purchasing or pre purchasing competitively priced dwellings, leasing private rental stock and renewal of existing public housing sites.
These different approaches will maximise value for taxpayers.” Mr Holt said the package would support infill development by transforming under-optimised public housing sites in metropolitan and regional Western Australia into new housing - some of which would be retained for social housing, and some sold to the general market. Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said $85.2 million of Royalties for Regions funds would be reallocated for the regional component of the investment package, ensuring seniors and families in regional WA were also catered for.
Treasurer Mike Nahan said the package complemented broader initiatives under the Liberal National Government’s Affordable Housing Strategy that would see the Government work with industry to commence at least 2,200 new homes during 2015-16 and 2016-17, inclusive of this initiative.
Fact File
The State Government’s Affordable Housing Strategy - the first of its kind in Australia - has delivered more than 18,000 affordable homes since 2010
These include social housing, discounted private rentals, shared equity home ownership and low deposit home loans through Keystart
Housing Minister’s office - 6552 6100