Login
iscover
A new landmark partnership between the federal and Western Australian governments to deliver new social and affordable homes for Western Australians has been announced.
The Albanese and Cook Labor governments have announced a partnership to construct nearly 1,800 social and affordable homes across Western Australia.
This initiative marks one of the largest boosts to affordable housing in the state’s history, targeting high-demand areas and supporting the local construction industry.
The housing project, enabled by the federal government’s Housing Australia Future Fund Facility (HAFF) and the National Housing Accord Facility (NHAF), will focus on 21 developments located near METRONET stations and other government-owned sites.
The Cook government will initially invest $443 million to fund construction, with the homes set to be managed by Community Housing Providers (CHPs) under affordable rental schemes.
Pending the finalisation of agreements with Housing Australia, community CHPs could gain access to concessional loans through the HAFF and NHAF. They may also qualify for senior debt via the Housing Australia Affordable Housing Bond Aggregator (AHBA) and receive ongoing subsidies to assist with repayments over a 25-year period.
Approximately 20 per cent of the homes will be allocated as social housing, with the remaining 80 per cent serving as affordable community housing. The initiative aims to create a sustainable pipeline of construction projects, attract builders from across the country, and build capacity within the local housing sector.
Western Australia’s Treasurer, Rita Saffioti, highlighted the economic and community impact of the initiative.
“This partnership with the Albanese government will ensure a strong pipeline of job-creating housing projects for the years ahead and provide more homes for people in need across our communities,” Saffioti said.
The first wave of projects will include 14 developments across Western Australian locations such as Ellenbrook, Byford, Subiaco East and Albany, delivering nearly 1,100 homes. Tenders for these projects will be released in the coming months by DevelopmentWA and the Department of Communities, with construction scheduled to begin next year. An additional seven projects, in areas including Midland and Butler, will undergo detailed design phases.
Federal Housing Minister Clare O’Neil emphasised the impact that the partnership will have on those living in Western Australia.
“I’m so pleased to announce such a large investment in social and affordable housing in the great state of Western Australia. It means that thousands of Western Australians will have well-positioned, safe and secure places to call home,” O’Neil stated.
The Albanese Labor government looks forward to finalising agreements between the Western Australian government and Housing Australia to facilitate these outcomes.
The Albanese government has committed $32 billion to housing initiatives nationwide, while the Cook government has allocated $3.6 billion to housing and homelessness measures since 2021. The partnership also includes options for concessional loans and subsidies for CHPs, providing financial support to ensure long-term affordability.
Western Australia’s Housing and Homelessness Minister, John Carey, contrasted the current government’s proactive approach with that of previous administrations.
“Partnering with the Albanese government is delivering major housing projects in WA, including the Pier Street and Smith Street build-to-rent projects, and is in vast contrast to the previous Liberal-National government who showed no interest in boosting housing in WA,” Carey stated.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who grew up in social housing, underscored the importance of the initiative.
"We are working with the Cook Labor government to deliver thousands of new affordable and social homes close to public transport links for people who need it most,” he said.
Albanese also criticised opposition efforts to obstruct progress, stating he was disappointed that the Coalition blocked and voted against his government’s legislation that looked forward to building more homes across the country.
Western Australian Premier Roger Cook echoed Albanese’s sentiment, highlighting the urgency of addressing the state’s housing needs.
“This landmark new partnership with the Albanese Labor government will build the affordable homes our growing state needs, right where we need them,” he stated.
You are not authorised to post comments.
Comments will undergo moderation before they get published.