Labor makes housing major issue at WA and Federal election, unveiling $450m package

Anthony Albanese and Roger Cook have put housing front and centre of their respective re-election bids, announcing a multi-million dollar plan to build more affordable housing in the kingmaker state of WA. Mr Cook will on Sunday rally the troops in his electorate of Kwinana to reveal details of the dual plan to tackle the State’s housing crisis. The Cook Government will sink $443 million into building 360 new social houses as well as 1440 new residential apartments and single home developments over the next four years. Once completed, the properties would be rented to WA’s most vulnerable through Commonwealth supported community housing groups. The first tranche of projects will consist of 14 developments in Subiaco East — near the old Princess Margaret Hospital site — Ellenbrook, Byford, Brabham, Redcliffe, Wellard, Woodbridge, Banksia Grove, Rivervale, White Gum Valley, Albany, Dallyellup, Golden Bay and Treeby – delivering nearly 1100 new homes. Mr Albanese is expected to also spruik the housing plan when he arrives in Perth for a three-day visit at the end of this week, with WA now widely regarded as a must-win State for Federal Labor if it wants to win a second term of government. “I grew up in social housing – I know how important a roof over your head is, and the opportunities it brings,” Mr Albanese said. “We are working with the Cook Labor Government to deliver thousands of new affordable and social homes close to public transport links for people who need it most. “This is part of our $32 billion plan to deliver more than one million homes across Australia.” Mr Cook said the State Government was “throwing everything” at getting more people into a home. “(This) means we have a sustainable pipeline of affordable housing projects now and in coming years,” he said. “Our nation-leading housing plan is fast-tracking approvals, unlocking more land and getting more houses built, faster.” Under the plan, the Cook Government will build what it calls “affordable community housing” properties and then sell the 1440 apartments and houses to community housing providers who get access to cheaper federal concessional loans expected to be in the tens of millions of dollars. The community housing providers are also eligible for ongoing Commonwealth subsidies over 25 years, meaning they can be rented out for below market rates. The properties comprise a mix of multi-residential apartment homes alongside Metronet stations, as well as single home developments. DevelopmentWA and the Department of Communities will release tenders for the first tranche of projects in coming months, with construction to commence next year. Detailed design will commence on a further seven projects in Cannington, Ballajura, Butler, Midland, Kelmscott, Subiaco and Bassendean, creating a pipeline of affordable housing developments for coming years. “My WA Labor Government is throwing everything at getting more Western Australians into a home,” Mr Cook said. “This landmark new partnership with the Albanese Labor Government will build the affordable homes our growing State needs, right where we need them. “It means we have a sustainable pipeline of affordable housing projects now and in coming years.” With a population now above three million, the lack of housing in WA and ballooning house prices and rents have become a major electoral problem. The state’s social housing wait list in now over 20,000 and rental prices in the private market have on average now soared to more than $600 a week. For those lucky enough to be able to afford to build a home, completion dates have in many instances gone well beyond what was expected because of a severe shortage of tradies. The situation has become so bad that the State Government is now offering tradies on the east coast and New Zealand $10,000 each to move over to help build much needed homes. WA Housing Minister John Carey said the WA Government was already throwing billions at trying to address WA’s housing crisis. “The Cook Labor Government is investing a record $3.6 billion in housing and homelessness measures, which includes the delivery of nearly 5000 social homes and maintenance and refurbishments to many thousands more,” he said.