$7.5 million for St Pat's Fremantle to boost social housing

• St Patrick's Fremantle receives $7.5 million from the Cook Government
• Funding to expand existing facility to include 28 new social housing dwellings
• Investment will add new dwellings to WA's social housing stock
• New dwellings support vulnerable people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness

The Cook Government is providing $7.5 million to one of Western Australia's longest-serving homelessness support services, St Patrick's Fremantle, to bolster the State's social housing stock.

The $7.5 million commitment is part of a $12 million St Pat's project to demolish the site's existing, ageing and no longer fit-for-purpose accommodation units and replace these with 28 newly built social housing dwellings.

The 28 new social housing dwellings will provide long-term accommodation for people who are experiencing homelessness, aligning with the State Government's Homelessness strategy and Housing First Approach.

St Pat's is a not-for-profit organisation that has been providing community housing and specialist support services for people facing homelessness in the south metropolitan region of Perth for more than 50 years.

As part of the Cook Government's Call for Submissions for Social Housing, a procurement reform introduced by Housing and Homelessness Minister John Carey, St Pat's approached the Department of Communities seeking to turn their existing accommodation into social housing.

The State Government, through the Department of Communities opened a call for submissions from registered community housing providers to help increase the supply and diversity of social housing across WA.

The 'Call for Submissions from Community Housing Providers' provides a framework for the State Government to work with registered community housing providers to refurbish or deliver new housing options managed by the sector for vulnerable people, including through grant funding, land leases, land contributions and other innovative models.

Development Approval has been granted for the proposed project, with St Pat's planning to engage a builder mid-2024.

Registered CHPs with innovative housing proposals 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 and Homelessness Minister John Carey:

"As part of our Call for Submissions for Community Housing Providers, the Cook Government is funding $7.5 million to St Pat's Fremantle to provide more social housing for vulnerable Western Australians.

"The Cook Government is deeply proud to support St Pat's Fremantle, who are one of the longest-serving community service providers, playing an integral role in assisting people who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness.

"As part of this funding a total of 28 new social housing dwellings will be added to the State's social housing stock at St Pat's in Fremantle.

"Last year we put the call out for Community Housing Providers to come to Government with innovative and suitable housing solutions to bolster supply of social housing in our State.

"Partnerships between CHPs and the State Government can leverage collective resources and expertise - to ultimately provide more housing to those who need it the most.

"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 1,800 social homes with a further 1,000 social homes under contract or construction."

Comments attributed to Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk:

"St Pat's is a respected and valued organisation in our community. People in Fremantle and further afield know firsthand the commitment and skill St Pat's staff apply to supporting vulnerable Western Australians.

"I am proud to be part of a Government that is supporting community facilities with a significant funding boost. This $7.5 million will go towards updating as well as expanding their current housing stock.

"Again, this is a great example of the Cook Labor Government working with community partners to deliver practical and real assistance where it is really needed."

Comments attributed to St Pat's Fremantle chief executive officer Michael Piu:

"I want to acknowledge the State Government for this $7.5 million grant which will allow us to offer fit for purpose, long-term housing options particularly for people who have experienced chronic homelessness.

"These new homes will have access to on-site services, allowing us to provide wrap-around support to assist some of the most vulnerable people in our community to maintain their accommodation, reconnect with community and thrive."