The McGowan Labor Government has committed an additional $884 million in the 2021-22 State Budget to social housing and initiatives to prevent and tackle homelessness.
This latest investment lifts the total amount allocated by the McGowan Government to social housing and homelessness measures to more than $2.5 billion over the next four years.
New social housing and homelessness initiatives in the 2021-22 Budget include:
- a $750 million Social Housing Investment Fund to substantially increase Western Australia's stock which, with other initiatives in the Budget, will deliver $2.1 billion to fund an estimated 3,300 properties;
- $20 million to renew three ageing social housing precincts in Albany, Bunbury and Geraldton;
- an additional $38.5 million for expanded capacity at two Common Ground facilities, increasing total funding allocated to the supported housing facilities to $73.5 million for a 112-apartment complex in the Perth central business district and a 50-apartment complex in Mandurah. This includes $8 million in Commonwealth funding through the Perth City Deal;
- $26 million to convert 72 dwellings from the METRONET Social and Affordable Housing and Jobs Package into social housing;
- $6 million for a Local Government Partnership Fund for Homelessness to partner and co-fund homelessness initiatives tailored to local government areas' needs; and
- $3.4 million over four years to expand Youth Futures crisis accommodation.
The significant funding boost will support two key strategies launched by the McGowan Government - the 'WA Housing Strategy 2020-2030' and 'All Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia's 10-Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030'.
It complements a number of existing investments in housing and other supports for vulnerable Western Australians in need of accommodation, including:
- the $34.5 million Housing First Homelessness Initiative in the Perth metropolitan area, Bunbury, Geraldton, Mandurah and Rockingham which work to reduce rough sleeping by accommodating people experiencing homelessness and providing intensive case management and wraparound supports to help them maintain their tenancies;
- $6.3 million of new funding to commence planning and land acquisition for a Perth facility based on the highly successful Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation model already operating in regional areas;
- $18 million for Geraldton Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation and $20 million for Kununurra Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation;
- $18 million for the Boorloo Bidee Mia supported accommodation facility, which was developed in consultation with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations Wungening Aboriginal Corporation and Noongar Mia Mia to house up to 100 rough sleepers in the Perth CBD; and
- $2 million for an Online Homelessness Services Portal to remove barriers to getting help for people experiencing homelessness, with centralised information and availability of accommodation and support services.
For more information, visit https://www.ourstatebudget.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"My Government is committed to protecting and improving the well-being of vulnerable Western Australians.
"Our commitment is demonstrated with our unprecedented investment in measures to address homelessness and the need for social housing.
"We have committed more than $2.5 billion over four years to measures that will significantly improve the quality and accessibility of social housing and homelessness services in the State."
As stated by Housing Minister John Carey:
"The McGowan Government is acutely aware of the need for more social housing, and the funding allocated in this Budget reaffirms our commitment to the most vulnerable people in our community.
"The $875 million allocated in this Budget is the single largest investment in social housing in the State's history.
"It's estimated we will fund around 3,300 new social housing properties, which will be a significant boost to our housing stock."
As stated by Community Services Minister Simone McGurk:
"Homelessness is an issue across the country and internationally, but the McGowan Government is committed to improving outcomes for this vulnerable cohort and their local communities.
"The Common Ground expansions, Local Government Partnership Fund for Homelessness and other innovative measures funded in this year's Budget build on the significant projects already in the pipeline to prevent and reduce homelessness in Western Australia.
"This record investment, guided by WA's first long-term strategy to tackle homelessness, means we are well placed to make a positive difference to the lives of people experiencing and at risk of homelessness."
