Modular to be used for social housing in Kalgoorlie for first time

  • Two modular social homes on the way for Kalgoorlie
  • It’s the first time modular has been used for social housing in Kalgoorlie
  • The homes are being constructed in a factory in Perth’s south
  • The homes are part of the McGowan Government’s $2.1 billion investment in social housing 
  • Modular will be used for social housing in Kalgoorlie for the first time, with two homes currently under construction.

    The homes are being prefabricated in a factory in Perth’s south and will soon make the 600-kilometre trek east.

    The modular homes – a six-bedroom, two-bathroom home for Somerville and a five-bedroom, two-bathroom home for Hannans – will be allocated to two families who are currently on the Department of Communities’ (Communities) priority housing waitlist.

    The homes are being delivered as part of the McGowan Government’s $221 million Housing and Homelessness Investment Package and were originally intended to be delivered using traditional construction methods.

    In the current heated construction market, the McGowan Government is investing in a range of measures including modular to assist with the delivery of housing as fast as possible.

    It is estimated that by using modular for the construction of these two homes, they will be delivered at least six weeks faster than traditional construction.

    These specific designs require three pads to make up each home with each pad to occupy space on one of three trailers bound for Kalgoorlie.

    Once the modular pods reach Kalgoorlie they will be placed on site for local tradespeople to undertake the overall installation and landscaping with about three and a half weeks for each to be completed. 

    Although the two modular homes are being delivered through existing programs, they complement the recent State Budget’s record $875 million investment in social housing, including an $80 million commitment to deliver about 150 new modular social housing properties across regional WA over the next two years.

    The initiative also reflects the McGowan Government’s multi-faceted plan that includes immediate, medium-term and long-term social housing solutions for our most vulnerable community members.

     

    As stated by Housing Minister John Carey:

    “Since stepping into the role of Minister for Housing, I have been looking closely at a wide range of options that can help speed up the delivery of our social housing programs in the current heated construction market. Modular construction was one of those options.

    “It’s fantastic to see our shift towards modular construction starting to come to fruition and deliver social housing in regional WA.

    “These properties will become home to two Kalgoorlie families on our priority housing waitlist, and they’ll be able to move in at least six weeks earlier thanks to the decision we made to shift construction to modular.

    “Once the homes arrive in Kalgoorlie they will also provide employment opportunities with plumbing, electrical, earthworks, concreting, landscaping and fencing all being delivered using local tradespeople.

    “These two modular homes are being delivered through existing investment and are on top of the 150 modular homes for regional WA announced as part of the McGowan Government’s record $875 million investment in social housing in the State Budget.

    “In the coming four years we will be investing $2.1 billion in social housing across Western Australia, which will include the delivery of 3300 new social homes.”

    As stated by Kalgoorlie MLA Ali Kent:

    “The McGowan Government is committed to delivering housing to the most vulnerable people in Western Australia, including in Kalgoorlie.”

    “These two homes will be delivered faster than traditional builds but will still generate local jobs once the homes arrive on site in Kalgoorlie.

    “Most importantly these properties will very soon become home to two families in the Kalgoorlie community, which is a fantastic outcome.”

    /Public Release. View in full here.