- Cook Labor Government investing an additional $1.5 billion to deliver more social and affordable homes, including in partnership with the Albanese Labor Government
- Additional investment comes as construction is underway on the first of 14 build-to-rent developments being delivered under the Housing Australia Future Fund
- 2026-27 State Budget to deliver an additional $4.7 billion in housing measures, bringing the Cook Labor Government's investment since 2021 to an historic $10.8 billion
- Cook Labor Government committed to ensuring every Western Australian has a home
The Cook Labor Government will invest an additional $1.5 billion in the 2026-27 State Budget to progress the delivery of thousands of affordable rentals and social homes for Western Australians, including in partnership with the Albanese Labor Government.
The boost is part of an additional $4.7 billion investment in housing measures in this year's Budget, which will bring the government's record investment to $10.8billion since 2021.
The Budget includes an additional $1 billion investment to deliver 1,426 new dwellings in partnership with the Commonwealth through the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF).
The investment will deliver homes across eight projects in Cannington, Ballajura, Butler, Midland, Kelmscott, Subiaco, Bassendean and Roe Street in Perth.
This funding injection takes the Cook Labor Government's total investment under the HAFF to $1.8billion which will deliver a total of 3,117 homes.
It comes as construction is now underway on the first projects to be delivered under HAFF.
This includes developments at Woodbridge and Rivervale being constructed by EMCO Building providing key workers and Western Australians with a safe and affordable place to call home.
The Woodbridge build-to-rent development, located close to the new METRONET Midland Station, will deliver 56 one and two-bedroom apartments of which 44 will be affordable and 12 will be social homes.
The Rivervale development will provide 44 one and two-bedroom apartments of which 35 will be affordable and nine will be social homes, located near the Swan River and the Graham Farmer Freeway.
Once complete, each apartment development will be sold to an appointed Community Housing Provider (CHP), which will be able to access HAFF funding towards ongoing operation and maintenance of the buildings over 25 years.
The Budget also includes a further $452 million investment for the delivery of an additional 165 social homes and refurbishment of 215 homes, as well as land acquisition for future social housing builds and increased investment in maintenance.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"My government's priority is ensuring every Western Australian has a home and this Budget demonstrates that with a record $4.7 billion investment.
"We are working with the Albanese Labor Government to bring more affordable and social homes to market in places where people want to live.
"By building more homes near existing train stations at Woodbridge and Rivervale, we will ensure Western Australians have the security a home provides and access to world-class public transport, supporting a high quality of life for everyone, no matter where they live."
As stated by Treasurer and Transport Minister Rita Saffioti:
"We're investing an additional $1.5 billion to deliver one of the biggest affordable and social housing programs in our State's history, ensuring we have a pipeline of homes for those who need them most.
"Bold initiatives like this are part of the Cook Labor Government's record $4.7 billion investment to boost housing supply and affordability in this year's State Budget.
"Whether it be working with industry to get projects off the ground sooner, growing our construction workforce, supporting first homebuyers or unlocking land across the suburbs we're doing everything we can to get more Western Australians into a home."
Comments attributed to Planning and Lands and Housing and Works Minister John Carey:
"Our government has taken the unprecedented step of intervening in the market to ensure the delivery of at least 30 build to rent projects, including this historic affordable and social housing construction program.
"It's great to see construction underway on the first of these projects, delivering more social homes and affordable rentals.
"We have committed a record $10.8 billion since 2021, including investment in over 9,800 social and affordable homes, and more than 4,000 already delivered.
"This additional investment in HAFF projects in this year's State Budget will supercharge the delivery of affordable rentals, including for key workers, and provide more social homes for vulnerable members of our community."
As stated by Federal Member for Hasluck Tania Lawrence:
"Housing's still tough but the Federal and State Labor Governments are working hard to roll out huge investments to build more homes, because that's the way we're going to take pressure off people and make housing more affordable.
"Every single one of these homes will change the life of someone in my community and their family and I'm proud that both the Albanese and Cook Labor Governments are prioritising the building of more homes."
As stated by Midland MLA Steve Catania:
"It's fantastic to see works underway in Woodbridge on this important addition to affordable housing stock in our local community.
"These new homes will create real opportunities for local families and residents to build a stable life in Midland, close to transport, jobs and essential services."
