Housing and Works minister Michelle Roberts has announced the release of two significant new affordable house and land packages for people who qualify for the Government's First Start shared equity loan scheme.
Housing and Works minister Michelle Roberts has announced the release of two significant new affordable house and land packages for people who qualify for the Government's First Start shared equity loan scheme.
The packages are located in Ellenbrook, north of the Perth CBD, and Dalyellup, just south of Bunbury.
"We're creating opportunities for first homebuyers to enter the housing market and build up equity in quality master planned communities at an affordable price," Mrs Roberts said.
"The Ellenbrook Joint Venture has engaged two builders to provide the first 15 affordable house and land packages, which initially will be offered 'off the plan' exclusively to First Start customers.
"Approved First Start customers will be able to purchase the homes until the end of March. From April, any remaining homes will be available to the general public, and are priced to be very attractive to the first homebuyer."
Eight of the house and land packages will be terrace-style homes constructed by the HomeBuyers Centre, which will sell for an average price of $325,000. The other seven will be units or villas built by In Residence, with an average price of $305,000.
Each home will come with a full home starter package, including front and rear landscaping, reticulation, fencing, floor coverings and window treatments.
Swan Hills MLA Jaye Radisich said that packages represented an excellent opportunity for people to enter the housing market for the first time.
"Ellenbrook is a highly desirable and sought after suburb and now with these packages, it is also much more accessible," Ms Radisich said.
Ellenbrook is a joint venture land development between the state government through the Department of Housing and Works and Morella Pty Ltd and is project managed by LWP Property Group. It is one of the largest residential land developments in Western Australia, with an expected population of 30,000 when development is complete.
On Saturday, January 26, 92 house and land packages will be available at Dalyellup Gardens, part of the Dalyellup Beach joint venture between the State Government through Department of Housing and Works and Satterley.
Priced from $250,000 to $350,000, these affordable packages allow buyers to choose from a range of home designs to be constructed by one of a number of leading south-west builders.
"Purchasing the lowest priced package of $250,000 under the First Start scheme will give home buyers an opportunity to enter home ownership from just $282 per week," Mrs Roberts said.
"Approximately half of the lots being released at Dalyellup are cottage lots with an average price $125,000, with the remaining traditional lots priced from $147,000.
"The house and land packages at Dalyellup and Ellenbrook represent excellent entry level opportunities for people to own their own homes.
"Thanks to the First Start Scheme, more people are now achieving their goal of home ownership."
Under the state government's $300million First Start shared equity loan scheme, the government will assist 3,000 Western Australians into home ownership over three years.
The scheme assists homebuyers who meet the income eligibility requirements by purchasing up to 40 per cent of the equity in a land and house package or an established home valued at up to $365,000.
The minister said the affordable house and land packages and $300million First Start scheme were part of the Carpenter Government's commitment to improving housing affordability that also includes:
- a $417.3million investment over four years to continue the delivery of social and affordable housing programs, with social housing numbers to increase by more than 1,100 dwellings over four years;
- expansion of the Bond Assistance Loan Scheme;
- reductions in stamp duty;
- initiatives to fast-track Government approvals for residential sub-divisions; and
- a further $238million housing and land package, which will help deliver the additional social housing, more lodging house and crisis accommodation rooms, strategic land holdings and new Government Regional Officer Housing.
