Call for Submissions to boost social housing

• Western Australian community housing providers invited to lodge submissions to boost social housing throughout Western Australia
• Innovative and suitable submissions to be considered for grant funding, land leases or land contributions

The Cook Labor Government is calling for submissions from registered community housing providers (CHP) to bolster the supply and diversity of social housing across Western Australia.

The Call for Submissions from CHPs invites expressions of interest from registered providers to work with the Department of Communities to refurbish or deliver new housing managed by the sector for vulnerable people.

The Call for Submissions selection process is part of several housing reforms the Cook Government is undertaking to support the community housing sector and strengthen and accelerate delivery of social housing across the State.

The State Government is also set to introduce planning reforms to cut red tape to make it easier for community housing providers to deliver social and affordable housing projects, through changes to the development application process.

There will be regulatory changes to the Development Assessment Panel (DAP) system, cutting red tape and providing the ability for any community housing development, regardless of the size or value of the project, to opt to go straight to a DAP for determination.

Under the current DAP system, any development consisting of less than 10 grouped or multiple dwellings is excluded from using this pathway.

The Call for Submissions is open to CHPs registered under the WA Community Housing Regulatory Framework.

Submissions to be considered for support through the selection process may include capital grant funding, land leases, or land contributions, while the State Government is also open to exploring other innovative funding models and partnerships.

Registered CHPs are invited to visit the Department of Communities website or email Communities at CFS-CHP@communities.wa.gov.au for more detailed information.

Comments attributed to Housing Minister John Carey:

"The Cook Labor Government's Call for Submissions process is part of the housing delivery reforms we're undertaking to strengthen and accelerate the delivery of social housing throughout WA.

"I encourage registered Community Housing Providers across the State to register their interest for this opportunity and to come to Government with innovative and suitable housing solutions to bolster supply of social housing in our State.

"This process is intended to foster collaboration and partnerships between CHPs and Communities to leverage their collective resources and expertise.

"Our Government is investing a record $2.6 billion in social housing and homelessness measures in WA, including delivering around 4,000 social dwellings, and refurbishments and maintenance work to many thousands more.

"Since our record $2.6 billion investment in social housing and homelessness measures, our Government has added more than 1,500 social homes with a further 1,000 social homes under contract or construction.

"Our message is clear - we're using every lever we can, to bolster the supply of social housing across WA."