The McGowan Labor Government’s 2021-22 State Budget will deliver a record investment in social housing that will provide up to 275 new regional social housing properties in less than two years.
$875 million from the upcoming State Budget will be allocated to deliver a boost to social housing across the State, this includes a $750 million Social Housing Investment Fund.
The additional investment takes the McGowan Government’s commitments to social housing to more than $2.1 billion over the coming four years.
Funding from a number of existing programs will also be reprioritised and brought forward to speed up the delivery of new housing through a program of modular construction.
Regional Western Australia will benefit from:
- An additional $80 million to deliver about 150 new modular social housing properties
- An additional $10 million for the spot purchase of around 25 existing homes for social housing
- The continued roll-out of nearly $470 million in existing investment state-wide for social housing through SHERP and HHIP, including the delivery of 150 new homes in regional areas
The number of regional social houses will increase further from 2022-23, with $522 million in new social housing projects to be funded from the $750 million Social Housing Investment Fund.
By back ending the $522.5 million in funding, the McGowan Government is ensuring a significant pipeline of work will be maintained when the current housing construction boom is expected to slow down.
The Department of Communities will work to determine the most appropriate locations for the new social housing based on current need and the availability of land.
The budget also includes $12.8 million to carry out a significant building assessment program.
Over the coming four years more than 10,000 properties will undergo building assessments to assist with future investment planning.
The evidence gathered from these assessments will be used to inform future maintenance and refurbishment decisions, and reflects the McGowan Government’s commitment to maintaining existing public and Government Regional Officer Housing stock.
As stated by Housing Minister John Carey:
“The McGowan Labor Government’s 2021-22 State Budget continues its commitment to building strong, safe and fair communities in Western Australia.
“The pandemic has resulted in significant demand for social housing throughout Western Australia and this budget addresses the pressures in the system.
“Regional communities will receive a significant boost with a multi-faceted plan that includes immediate, medium-term and long-term social housing solutions that ensure we continue to look after the most vulnerable in our community.
“The $80 million investment for new modular homes, coupled with the additional $10 million in funding for established home purchases, will provide a significant boost to our social housing stocks in regional WA over the coming 18 months.
“The Department of Communities will be working to determine the most appropriate location for these additional homes based on community need across the state.
“The Social Housing Investment Fund will also ensure we have significant funding for future social housing projects in regional WA, and will provide our construction industry with a critical pipeline of work in future years.
“We’ve seen really positive signs in the private market with almost 4000 home approvals in regional areas in 2020-21, which will significantly ease the current squeeze in the rental market.”
