The state government has committed to build, buy, or lease 1,000 homes for low-income earners and seniors, with a new social housing initiative announced today.
Premier Colin Barnett said 600 new homes would be built, a further 200 would be leased, and 200 apartments or houses would be bought off the plan under the program.
He said the value of the works would total more than $174 million, part of the state government’s $564 million Social Housing Investment Package.
The houses are scheduled to be built before the end of June next year, providing work for more than 1,500 people.
Mr Barnett said more than 2,800 people would benefit from the initiative, particularly those on the state government’s priority waiting list.
“Seniors and families with children are two critical groups on the priority waiting list,” he said.
“They are among the most in need in the community and the prospect of stable, secure housing can, for an aged person or a family with children, be life changing.”
In Perth, the homes will be built by a panel of builders appointed last year, while open tenders will be run in regional areas.