WA Labor launches re-election campaign with promise to build 1,800 homes, but Opposition criticises timing
Roger Cook launches Labor's campaign for re-election at an event in Kwinana. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)
In short:
The WA Labor government has committed $443 million towards the creation of 1,800 social and affordable homes.
A government statement said the project would "comprise a mix of affordable rentals and social housing, with projects packaged together to create a pipeline of work for the state's building industry and to attract builders from the east coast".
What's next:
The WA Opposition has criticised the timing of the announcement, saying Labor had consistently failed to deliver on housing promises.
The WA Labor government has launched its re-election campaign with a $443 million funding commitment to increase social and affordable homes across the state, but the timing of the announcement has been criticised by the Opposition.
Housing advocates welcomed the announcement, but said the spend was just one of many ways that could aid in easing the housing crisis.
The joint state and federal government election promise will deliver close to 1,800 homes in Perth and the regions, and will be built close to Metronet stations and other services.
The plan will lead to the construction of 1,800 dwellings across Perth. (ABC News: David Weber)
The WA government has set aside $443 million to fund the initial construction costs of a mix of apartments and single dwellings.
A government statement said the project would "comprise a mix of affordable rentals and social housing, with projects packaged together to create a pipeline of work for the state's building industry and to attract builders from the east coast".
The homes will then be sold to community housing providers, with the federal government providing loans and payments to help with affordability.
“This is a milestone because we are now building and creating affordable apartments, rental apartments, that will assist those doing it tough,” Housing Minister John Carey said on Sunday.
Spending welcome
Shelter WA CEO Kath Snell said it will provide major relief to families struggling to afford a roof over their heads.
"This is significant and we really want to applaud [the government] and say thank you, we're really pleased, we feel like they've listened to what we've been saying ... and we're really pleased with this announcement," she said.
Kath Snell welcomed the announcement, saying the government had "listened". (ABC News: Herlyn Kaur)
Perth has overtaken Sydney as the least affordable capital city to rent in the country, with the average price at $629 a week.
Ms Snell said she would also like to see shorter term solutions to ease housing pressures in the interim while the projects get underway, including a cap on rental price increases.
The Western Australian Council of Social Service CEO Louise Giolitto believes it will be one of many solutions to the housing crisis and cost of living pressures.
Louise Giolitto wants to see more measures implemented to ease cost-of-living pressures on West Australians. (ABC News: Herlyn Kaur)
"One of our key asks is also to increase funding to emergency relief providers like your Vinnes, Anglicare, your Good Samaritans so they can assist those families that are in trouble right now, who may be paying their rent but don't have enough leftover for the other essentials," she said.
Timing questioned
While the announcement has been positively received by industry bodies, the WA Liberal Party has questioned the government's timing.
"After eight years of Labor, we have 139 more homes in the communities sector, so with an election looming, less than 100 days before the election, Roger Cook and John Carey have suddenly woken up and thought 'we've got a housing crisis, what are we going to do?'," Opposition housing spokesman Steve Martin said.
Opposition housing spokesman Steve Martin says the plan has come much too late.
"Labor have over-promised on housing for years and simply failed to deliver."
The Liberals instead turned their attention to electricity, promising to slash the daily supply charge by 46 cents a day within 100 days if elected, saving the average household $169 a year.
The announcement by the Liberals comes after week of political turmoil, where party leader Libby Mettam survived a leadership challenge after leaked polling suggested Churchlands candidate and City of Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas was a more popular leader for the party.
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