A new partnership between the Albanese and Cook Labor Governments will deliver more than 200 new homes in Perth, giving key workers and Western Australians in need, including older women at risk of homelessness, a safe and affordable place to call home.
A new apartment building, to be constructed on Pier St, Perth, will provide 219 new apartments, of which 30 per cent will be new social rental homes (66 apartments) and 20 per cent will be affordable rental homes (44 apartments).
The Albanese Labor Government’s Housing Australia will contribute funding of $88.6 million from the National Housing Infrastructure Facility (NHIF) to help build these new homes for Western Australians, while the Cook Labor Government will contribute more than $40.6 million.
The Federal Government unlocked up to $575 million in the NHIF for social and affordable housing in 2022, making this funding possible.
The Commonwealth funding represents the largest contribution to date from Housing Australia in Western Australia.
Across the state, the Albanese and Cook Labor Governments are continuing to work to ensure more Western Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home.
The Federal Government has already delivered more than $209 million through the Social Housing Accelerator, which will help to build almost 600 new social homes across Western Australia.
Last month, Housing Australia opened applications for the first round of funding for social and affordable homes under the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund and the National Housing Accord.
In January, as part of the Cook Labor Government’s Housing Diversity Pipeline, lodgement of a development application was announced for the Pier Street project – the State’s second social and affordable Build-to-Rent project. This followed the identification of a site on Smith Street in Highgate in December.
The Pier Street development is part of the Cook Government’s record $2.6 billion investment in housing and homelessness measures, which includes delivery of around 4,000 new social homes and maintenance and refurbishments to many thousands more.
Project design is being led by International design practice Hassell and development approval is anticipated in late March 2024, with construction set to commence by mid-2024.
It is expected the project will create a sustainable and replicable model for future social and affordable housing, support around 200 jobs during construction and deliver significant financial stimulus to the state economy through its flow-on effects to other industries.
For further information visit: Pier St – Overview
Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese said:
“This project ticks all the boxes and will deliver more than 200 new well-located homes for Western Australians.
“It will mean key workers can live and work in the same community and provide new homes to Western Australians in need, including older women at risk of homelessness.
“Our decision to unlock more funding for social and affordable homes is helping to deliver projects just like this across the country.
“It’s all part of our plan to give more Australians a safe and affordable place to call home.”
Premier of Western Australia Roger Cook said:
“My Government is getting on with the job of delivering around 4,000 new social homes as part of our record $2.6 billion in housing and homelessness measures.
“This crucial new partnership with the Albanese Government complements my Government’s investment and will help to deliver more than 200 new homes for Western Australians in the heart of Perth.
“Importantly, the more than 200 apartment development at Pier Street will include 110 social and affordable rental homes for those in need of support to put a roof over their head through the Build-to-Rent Model.”
Federal Minister for Housing Julie Collins said:
“These new homes underline the Albanese Labor Government’s commitment to providing secure housing to more Australians. We’re proud to be working with partners on this important project in Western Australia.
“This is exactly what the Albanese Labor Government will achieve through our new historic investments in housing, including the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund and $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator.
“Our ambitious housing reform agenda is working across the board – with more help for homebuyers, more help for renters and more help for Western Australians needing a safe place for the night.”
Western Australian Minister for Housing John Carey said:
“The Pier Street development forms part of the Cook Labor Government’s Housing Diversity Pipeline where we are unlocking lazy government land to boost supply of social and affordable housing in WA.
“The Cook Government is investing an unprecedented $2.6 billion in housing and homelessness measures which includes the delivery of around 4,000 social homes.
“In partnership with the Federal Government, the Pier Street development is planned to deliver more than 200 new apartments with a mix of social housing, disability housing and affordable rentals through the Build-to-Rent model.
“Housing Choices Australia and Super Housing Partnerships have been selected as the preferred consortium to purchase the building on completion and to provide tenancy management to support the most vulnerable members of the community.
“This important project will also see the development of a new urban community close to major public transport hubs and local amenities – bringing more activity, vibrancy and importantly more housing diversity right here in Perth.”