Homeswest to build tower in Goderich St

THE State Government’s social housing arm, Homeswest, is planning to construct a seven-level apartment tower in Goderich Street, East Perth.

The development, which will have 69 units, will provide affordable housing for families and provide aged care accomodation. 

A Homeswest spokeswoman said the East Perth development site was bought more than 10 years ago when it was the Nevada Shirt factory, and the agency had always intended to redevelop the site.

She said Homeswest was currently preparing the tender documents for the project and expected the tender to be advertised within the first half of 2004.

The development will consist of three blocks, one block seven levels high and the other two three levels high. The Homeswest development will make available much-needed affordable housing in what has become a highly priced and much sought after residential area.

The median house price in East Perth has increased nearly 10 per cent in the past 12 months and the median weekly rent is $285. 

There is strong demand for seniors’ housing in inner-city Perth, particularly located close to medical facilities and other services.

Homeswest recently received conditional approval from the Minister of Housing and Works to purchase failed retirement village project, Shenton Village, out of receivership.

The decision to acquire the 66-unit retirement complex, built on the site of the old Shenton Park Hotel on Nicholson Road, was driven by the strong demand for seniors’ housing in the gentrified suburb.

WA Business News understands that the East Perth apartment development will be the first of such size to have been constructed by Homeswest in more than 10 years.

According to the WA Council of Social Services, social housing funds have been in decline over the past decade, with 13,000 people in the queue for Homeswest housing.