Media Statements - Minister announces $146 million for housing

30/8/00

Almost $146 million will be spent on public housing in Western Australia during the 2000-2001 financial year, Housing Minister Dr Kim Hames said today at a breakfast for the building and housing industry.

“This will provide an extra 1,687 rental homes,” Dr Hames said.

“While the bulk of these -1,400 - will be for Homeswest, there will also be a big boost in Aboriginal housing, including an extra 65 homes in remote communities.

“A further 51 homes for Aboriginal people will be built in urban areas.”

Dr Hames, who is also Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, said that as well as buildings, three new initiatives for Aboriginal communities were being funded under the auspices of the Ministry of Housing.

These were:

fixing houses for better health, in which urgent repairs for safety of health hazards would be attended to immediately - but this was not a substitute for routine maintenance;

town-based communities normalisation - an extension of the Community Normalisation Scheme to ensure essential services were provided and maintained in the same way they were to suburban communities; and -

town-based communities support management - assisting those living on town reserves to manage their housing in the same way communities were being assisted.

Dr Hames announced that Commonwealth funding would see a further 84 units built for crisis accommodation.

“While rental housing will remain paramount, the Government is committed to helping people achieve the great Australian dream of owning their own homes,” he said.

“Through its Landstart division, the Ministry of Housing will have more than 1,700 affordable residential lots for sale this year, as well as almost 1,000 ready-built properties.

“Under the New Living program more than $27 million will be spent on refurbishing properties.”

Media contacts:
Sandy Gater, Minister’s office 9424 7450
Janet Wainwright, Ministry of Housing 9222 4500