Ceilings lifted in Home Buyers' Assistance Scheme

27/3/04 More Western Australians will have the chance to access a grant of up to $2,000, to assist with the purchase of their first home.

27/3/04
More Western Australians will have the chance to access a grant of up to $2,000, to assist with the purchase of their first home.
Consumer and Employment Protection Minister John Kobelke said the Home Buyers' Assistance Fund (HBAF) provided grants to help first homebuyers with incidental expenses, when they purchased an established or partially built home through a licensed estate agent.
"We have increased the maximum allowable purchase prices by $30,000 in the three separate zones across WA, to make more people eligible for the grants," Mr Kobelke said.
"By lifting the ceilings on the maximum allowable prices under the HBAF, it will give first homebuyers needing assistance a wider choice of properties to purchase."

LOCATIONSMAXIMUM PURCHASE PRICE
Metropolitan and country:
the region south of the 26th parallel and west of the boundary line between Meekatharra, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Point Malcolm (including Kalgoorlie-Boulder and excluding Meekatharra and Point Malcolm)		$125,000
(up 31 per cent)
Remote areas:
the region south of the 26th parallel and east of the boundary line between Meekatharra, Kalgoorlie-Boulder and Point Malcolm (excluding Kalgoorlie-Boulder and including Meekatharra and Point Malcolm)		$170,000
(up 21 per cent)
North-West and Kimberley region:
any area north of the 26th parallel.		$190,000
(up 19 per cent)

Mr Kobelke said the price of affordable housing had increased considerably over the past two years and the higher thresholds would assist more first homebuyer families in WA to become home owners.
Details of eligibility criteria are available from the Real Estate and Business Agents Supervisory Board on 1300 30 40 54 or the website http://www.reba.wa.gov.au
Minister's office: 9222 9211