McGowan Government housing reforms deliver 1,000 social homes

• McGowan Government delivers major social housing milestone since record investment
• Housing Minister driving major reforms accelerating the delivery of social housing across the State
  

The McGowan Government has reached a major housing reform milestone with 1,000 social homes added to the State's public housing stock since a record $2.4 billion investment.

In the face of a heated construction market, the State Government has established several key reform programs to bolster the supply of social housing across Western Australia.

These include the modular build program, timber frame program and the spot purchasing program.

The modular build program provides an alternative and faster pathway to get social housing delivered, and more than 90 modular homes have been contracted to be delivered across regional WA.

The Government's alternative timber frame program has also seen social homes being constructed within 25 weeks' time since the initial concrete pour, with conventional builds taking up to four times as long in the current construction market.

The Spot Purchasing Program is also boosting the State's social housing stock. The Spot Purchasing program involves selective acquisition of established homes and off-the-plan dwellings.

The State Government is also investing $200 million in the Government Regional Officer Housing program, delivered by the Department of Communities to provide housing to Government workers in regional areas and ensure provision of critical services such as education and law enforcement.

The McGowan Government is investing a record $2.4 billion over four years in housing and homelessness services.

Comments attributed to Housing Minister John Carey:

"Since our Government's record investment in social housing we have now added 1,000 social homes with a further 1,051 social homes under contract or construction.

"It is acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted and changed the housing market across Australia and internationally.

"However, in the face of a heated construction market, our Government has established a number of key reform programs to bolster the supply of social housing across Western Australia.

"In fact, we've sped up our delivery of social housing through a range of innovative reform programs including the timber frame program, the modular build program and continuing our highly successful spot purchasing program.

"We've established the State-wide builders panel, cutting red tape to allow 85 businesses from across WA, including small, local, mum and dad businesses to benefit from this Government's record investment in social housing delivery

"This is all part of our Government's record $2.4 billion investment in housing and homelessness services in WA over the next four years, which includes the delivery of around 3,300 social dwellings as well as refurbishments and maintenance work to thousands more."

Minister's office - 6552 5300