- The funding will see 28 new social homes constructed.
- This follows the WA Government's Call for Submissions for Social Housing last year.
- The Government has invested $2.6B into social housing and homelessness measures in WA.
Western Australia’s longest-serving homelessness support service, St Patrick’s Fremantle, has received $7.5 million from the Cook Government to boost Western Australia’s supply of social housing.
“St Pat’s is a respected and valued organisation in our community. People in Fremantle and further afield know firsthand the commitment and skill St Pat’s staff apply to supporting vulnerable Western Australians,” said Fremantle MLA, Simone McGurk.
The funding will go towards expanding the existing facility to include 28 new social housing dwellings, providing long-term accommodation for people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.
This $7.5 million commitment is part of St Pat’s $12 million project to demolish the site’s existing, ageing, and no longer fit-for-purpose accommodation units and replace them with the 28 newly constructed social housing homes.
“I want to acknowledge the State Government for this $7.5 million grant which will allow us to offer fit for purpose, long-term housing options particularly for people who have experienced chronic homelessness,” said St Pat’s Frematnel chief executive officer, Michael Piu.
“These new homes will have access to on-site services, allowing us to provide wrap-around support to assist some of the most vulnerable people in our community to maintain their accommodation, reconnect with community and thrive.”
A call to increase WA’s social housing supply
“As part of our Call for Submissions for Community Housing Providers, the Cook Government is funding $7.5 million to St Pat’s Fremantle to provide more social housing for vulnerable Western Australians,” said Housing and Homelessness Minister, John Carey.
“As part of this funding, a total of 28 new social housing dwellings will be added to the State’s social housing stock at St Pat’s in Fremantle.
“Last year we put the call out for Community Housing Providers to come to Government with innovative and suitable housing solutions to bolster supply of social housing in our State.
“Partnerships between CHPs and the State Government can leverage collective resources and expertise – to ultimately provide more housing to those who need it the most.
The call was put out at the end of September last year, where Western Australian community housing providers (CHPs) were invited to lodge submissions to refurbish or deliver new social housing in the state.
Regulatory changes were also announced alongside the call for submissions. The Housing and Homelessness Minister then announced that the changes would provide for any community housing development, regardless of the size or value of the project, to opt to go straight to a Development Assessment Panel (DAP) for determination.
At the time, any development comprising fewer than 10 grouped or multiple dwellings were excluded from using that pathway.
