Regional communities to benefit from WA's largest ever social housing maintenance program

The State Government has announced the successful applicants for community housing regional maintenance grants to improve housing for some of Western Australia's most vulnerable people.

The Department of Communities received 51 applications, of which 44 applications with a total value of $771,000 met the criteria for funding. The funding will see much-needed maintenance performed on approximately 140 regional homes.

The Community Housing Organisation Maintenance Grants Program 2021 provides individual grants of up to $20,000 to support community housing organisations and local government authorities. The money will be spent on the maintenance of regional community housing assets and the successful applicants will have until December 31, 2021 to complete the work.

Funded through the $319 million Social Housing Economic Recovery Package (SHERP), the grants program covers a wide range of potential works such as replacing gutters, servicing ovens and hot water systems, fixing fences, replacing damaged kitchen and bathroom cabinets, and replacing damaged flooring.

Announced in June 2020, SHERP is the largest housing maintenance and refurbishment program in Western Australia's history.

Under the SHERP program, the McGowan Government will deliver maintenance and refurbishment to thousands of social housing properties. It will also see the delivery of hundreds of new social homes across metropolitan and regional areas to help the most vulnerable people in our community.

As stated by Housing Minister John Carey:

"One of the critical elements being addressed by the McGowan Government is maintaining our existing stock of social housing properties, which is why we made this record investment towards housing maintenance.

"It's fantastic to see a large number of community housing organisations have been successful in securing these grants, and will be a part of this important work.

"We anticipate around 140 vulnerable families and individuals will benefit from these grants, and see significant improvements to the quality of their homes.

"The works will include things such as gutter replacements, servicing of hot water systems and ovens, and replacing damaged kitchen and bathroom cabinets and floors.

"The work being generated through the SHERP program is also providing employment opportunities in regional towns, where the money will support local maintenance businesses and the broader economy.

"The McGowan Government has committed almost $1 billion towards modernising and future-proofing the State's social housing infrastructure, and we recognise the importance and significant contribution the community housing sector plays in providing stable, affordable housing."