Homeswest to provide 172 new dwellings in the Cannington region

28/7/98

Homeswest will allocate $12.12 million in 1998-99 to provide 172 new dwellings in the Cannington region to meet the continuing strong demand for public housing.

Housing Minister Dr Kim Hames said the expenditure was a substantial commitment and demonstrated the Coalition Government's determination to reduce waiting lists and provide affordable housing in all communities.

Many of the new homes would be allocated to people with specific needs, including seniors, people with disabilities and those in crisis.

Funds had also been allocated to progress the State Government's New Living project - the biggest urban renewal program ever undertaken to replace and refurbish rundown Homeswest stock in areas across the State.

The 1998-99 main rental housing program in the Cannington region included construction or purchase of 37 additional one and two-bedroom units for seniors, 73 family homes, 38 one-bedroom units for singles and a range of accommodation for people with special needs.

Dr Hames said the expenditure would not only assist people with genuine housing needs but would also provide a substantial boost to local businesses involved in everything from housing construction to land development.

Bentley would get a mix of six pensioner units, 10 family homes and six singles' units, Armadale would get 12 pensioner units and six singles' units, while Manning would benefit from four additional pensioner units and two large family homes.

Additional accommodation for families would be the focus in other suburbs including St James (six family homes), Carlisle (five), Thornlie (two), East Victoria Park (two), Lathlain (two), Cannington (one), Gosnells (one), Rivervale (one) and Wilson (one). A further 27 family dwellings were planned for the region but had not yet been allocated to specific locations.

Dr Hames said Homeswest's Aboriginal Housing Program included five additional family homes in the region. Two would be located in Kensington zone , two in Kewdale and one in the Belmont zone.

The Community Housing Program - where Homeswest provides accommodation to be run by local community groups - included $450,000 for cluster accommodation for people with disabilities, Canning/Gosnells (Cerebral Palsy Association); part of $880,000 to purchase or construct accommodation for sole parents, singles and couples, Belmont/ Rivervale/ Midland/ Swan and Bayswater (East Metropolitan Community Housing Association); and $620,000 to purchase or construct accommodation for sole parents and families; Armadale/ Gosnells/ Serpentine-Jarrahdale (South East Metro Housing Association).

Crisis accommodation also received a boost with $450,000 allocated to accommodate families in crisis in the Cannington and Fremantle areas (Manguri); $285,000 for homeless youth accommodation in Armadale/ Gosnells/ Thornlie (South East Metro Housing Association); $150,000 for homeless youth, Cannington (Fusion Australia); and $200,000 for families in crisis, Gosnells/ Maddington (Perth City Mission).

Dr Hames said a substantial allocation of $415 million across the State for Government home loan assistance measures would also assist many low-to-moderate income families into home ownership.

Media contacts: Caroline Lacy (08)9424 7450 or 041 791 7819.

Homeswest: Bev Wilcox (08)9222 4500.