THE Western Australian government has announced almost $47 million in funding for new affordable rent to buy homes across the Pilbara.
The new investments will be delivered through the $200 million North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund and will comprise $30.6 million for 28 affordable rental homes through the Pilbara Aboriginal Home Ownership Program and $15.9 million in funding for Kimberley and Pilbara-based Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to deliver housing for their Aboriginal employees.
The further investment into the Pilbara Aboriginal Home Ownership Program will provide secure long-term housing solutions via affordable rental homes with the option to purchase.
This will also include five-years of culturally appropriate engagement and wraparound support services to Aboriginal workers and their families in the Pilbara and Kimberley.
“The North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund is demonstrating how the innovative use of housing can build opportunity, prosperity and wellbeing,” said Don Punch, regional development minister.
“The State Government wants to partner with Aboriginal people to increase housing options in a way that supports their aspirations, responds to local circumstances, and facilitates educational, training and employment outcomes.”
The program will aim to be wholly Aboriginal-owned through construction of new homes on Aboriginal-owned land and engagement of Aboriginal builders and service providers to work collaboratively as program owners.
Meanwhile the $15.9 million investment into Aboriginal employee housing will support the work ACCOs do across the North West through the delivery of secure and stable housing for their employees and families.
“Our Government is working to deliver more affordable housing for Aboriginal workers and their families in the North West,” said John Carey, housing minister.
“We are doing this through programs that will be owned and operated by Aboriginal organisations to ensure that services provided are culturally secure.
This program will enable employees to improve their employment capacity, income and financial wellbeing.
“These newly funded programs complement the work and investments our Government has already made through the North-West Aboriginal Housing Fund and demonstrate our commitment to the WA Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy and improving liveability in regional Western Australia,” added Carey.
“These investments will help to ensure Aboriginal workers have access to a roof over their heads and wraparound supports to achieve their own goals in employment, education and financial wellbeing, and even to eventually purchase their own homes.”
Western Australia recently proposed new planning reforms to accelerate the delivery of homes across the state and a temporary extension to the two-year land tax exemptions, with the Planning and Development Amendment Bill 2023.
