East Perth Common Ground

The State Government is committed to increasing housing options for people experiencing ongoing homelessness through All Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia’s 10 Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030  All Paths Lead to a Home: Western Australia’s 10 Year Strategy on Homelessness 2020-2030.

East Perth Common Ground will deliver permanent, supportive housing for the duration of need for adults who are experiencing ongoing homelessness, rough sleeping and/or are earning a low income.

Input was sought through a range of engagement activities with local communities and key stakeholders to inform the design of the East Perth Common Ground site, and to ensure that it will meet the needs of its tenants. This includes the incorporation of trauma-informed design, ‘Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design’, and improved accessibility through Livable Housing design standards.

Workshops and interviews were undertaken with people experiencing homelessness, community housing and services organisations, ACCOs and other representatives from other Common Ground sites operating across the country.

In the 2016 State Census, East Perth recorded the highest number of people sleeping rough within the state.

The site on the corner of Hill and Wellington streets was chosen based on evidence from other successful Common Ground projects across Australia, which indicates that suitable sites should be in proximity to public transport, local amenities and a range of public services including primary health care. This is to assist tenants with ease of access to a range of services available to them, in addition to services delivered on site.

Yes, research from other Common Ground projects operating in Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Adelaide shows that the 24/7 front desk presence, together with on-site support services, provides a safe environment for tenants, visitors and the surrounding community.

Evidence suggests that serious incidents at Common Grounds across Australia are rare. If this was to occur, staff will be trained in how to manage serious incident scenarios and emergency services will be called to attend.

East Perth Common Ground is expected to open to tenants from January 2026 and will be a phased approach.  

The Housing First approach at the core of the Common Ground model seeks to reduce the barriers to entry seen in traditional housing models. In this way, tenants’ circumstances, including income, employment, health or history, have little to no impact on their entry to Common Ground.

Once housed, tenants of Common Ground will be able to access a range of support services to sustain their tenancy and improve their wellbeing, including supports for employment, workforce training, education, and long-term support, including for alcohol or other drug dependencies.

Tenants, including their families and visitors, will also have direct access to places of reflection, play spaces for them and their children, and barbeque and picnic facilities.

East Perth Common Ground is not crisis accommodation or temporary housing. It will provide permanent supportive housing to people experiencing ongoing homelessness, rough sleeping and/or are earning a low income, for the duration of their need. This includes people who choose Common Ground to age in place.

The Department of Housing and Works is working closely with the City of Perth and local residents, business owners and service providers to ensure the Common Ground will become an integral part of the community.

Mission Australia Housing will be responsible for property and tenancy management, including receiving and reviewing applications for tenancy.

The State Government, Mission Australia Housing and Mission Australia are currently preparing for the delivery of services ahead of welcoming tenants from January 2026.

Further information about the application process will be shared when it becomes available.