Moves to set up Bunbury Housing Association applauded

17/11/95

Moves to set up a Bunbury Housing Association would provide a valuable extra dimension to regional community housing, Housing Minister Kevin Prince said today.

Mr Prince visited Bunbury to address delegates at the 1995 Community Housing State Conference.

"Forming an association would enhance what is already a well-organised and determined movement in this region," he said.

"Community housing, which the State Government provides through Homeswest, provides a variety of accommodation options for a range of people across the State and is a real community asset."

Mr Prince said community housing had four major aims:

+          to provide secure, appropriate and affordable housing options for low to moderate-income earners and people with special needs;

+          to develop effective partnerships between Government and non-Government organisations;

+          to develop resources and infrastructure to promote the growth and future viability of the sector, and -

+          to maximise consumer and community involvement in the development, decision-making and management of community-based housing.

Mr Prince said the two main capital programs overseen by Homeswest's Community Housing Services Branch in Western Australia had achieved impressive results.

"The State-funded Joint Venture Scheme has provided 1,044 completed units of accommodation since its inception in 1980-81," he said.

"In this scheme, the State Government works with local government and community organisations to provide housing for the elderly and people in need who are on low incomes.

"Under the Commonwealth-funded Community Housing Program, $6.4 million was used in 1994-95 to provide 92 bedrooms in 45 properties for long-term, community-managed rental housing."

Mr Prince said that in addition to these programs, in the same year, the Community Housing Services Branch had overseen the commencement of 43 purpose-built houses for people with disabilities and the completion of 38 - assisting 550 people.

He said the impressive results had been achieved by people in the Government and private sectors working together.

Mr Prince said the conference's theme - 'consolidation in a time of uncertainty' - was an apt one because it would be useful to re-evaluate what had already been achieved until the next Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement was finalised.

"By looking back on achievements and examining issues it will be easier to work out strategies for our future development," he said.

Issues on which to focus would include:

+          the involvement of Aboriginal groups in the Community Housing Program and associated land tenure issues;

+          the establishment of a peak community housing provider organisation in WA;

+          rural and regional change and the possible impact of this on social housing supply and demand; and -

+          the development and growth of viable housing associations, different housing models and the link between housing managers and support providers.

"I have encouraged all delegates to discuss their ideas and relate their individual experiences in different areas to others at the conference," Mr Prince said.

"Only in this way will we add to the growing expertise in, and development of, community housing - benefiting all Western Australians."

Media contact:  Stacey Molloy 222 9595 or 366 0300