The Western Australian Council of Social Service has warmly welcomed the State Government’s announcement today of the new Housing Investment Package.
The package includes $125 million to deliver more than 300 new public housing units and $6 million to refurbish 60 public housing properties around the state.
Louise Giolitto, Chief Executive Officer, said that “Housing is the single largest cost for WA families, which means supplying public and community housing is one of the most effective mechanisms the State Government has to assist people out of poverty and homelessness.”
“It is also an effective way to boost jobs, in construction of course, but also through making it easier for people to find and secure employment by providing them with stable accommodation.
“Consecutive State Government activity around housing in recent years has been on ‘affordable’ home ownership, but we know that for those in our community on the lowest incomes, buying their own home remains far out of reach.
“That is why we have continually advocated, alongside groups like Shelter WA, for a serious focus on public and community housing to provide genuinely affordable accommodation near to jobs, schools and services.
“Today’s announcement by the WA Government is an important recognition of the need for more housing that sits outside of private home ownership and market rentals.
“This investment package is an important first step towards addressing the need for social housing around WA. It is crucial that the State Government grows its investment in this space to ensure everyone in WA can have a safe, secure home,” Louise concluded.
Ends.
To download a PDF version of this media release, click here.
Media contact: Laurene Coller, Communications Officer, WACOSS, [email protected], 0419 316 557
