Long-delayed homeless project set to open in East Perth, as rent crisis worsens

Roger Cook has described soaring rents as a national challenge, but insists his Government has “all guns blazing” on housing, after it was revealed Perth is Australia’s most unaffordable capital city. National Shelter’s rental affordability index revealed that Perth’s median rent now eats up 32 per cent of an average households’ income, with rental affordability in regional WA reaching a decade-low. Housing Minister John Carey said unlocking housing supply was the key. “It is about supply, supply, supply, and our government is being aggressive to unlock a range of measures to boost housing supply,” Mr Carey said. “There isn’t one single silver bullet. You have to be prepared to look at all measures whether it’s buying Fraser Suites, which includes 70 per cent affordable rentals, whether it is unlocking planning rules around train stations, whether it’s supporting new land to get out the door.” Mr Carey promised a second tranche of tenancy protection reforms will happen. Last year, the Government banned rent bidding and restricted rent hikes to one every 12 months. “I do note for the public record that the Liberals and Nationals voted against those measures,” Mr Carey said. He wouldn’t say yes or no, to Shelter WA’s call for an end to no-grounds evictions. “‘I’m not going to pre-empt that second tranche of reforms,” Mr Carey said. “But certainly, we’re very cognisant of the pressures people are facing in the rental market. “We understand how people are doing it tough in rental markets, so we are looking at a second tranche of reforms.” Commerce Minister Tony Buti refused to rule no-grounds evictions in or out, but said a “balanced” approach is required “to support investment and maintain supply in the current rental market”. The Premier, Mr Carey and Homelessness Minister Matthew Swinbourn announced the completion of the State’s first Common Ground housing project in East Perth on Monday, after years of delay. “(The) first tenants are expected to move in in 2025, this is a transformative project,” Mr Cook said. Mr Carey blamed COVID for the long wait for the project, which was first promised in 2020. “There was a massive steel cost escalation,” he said. “We reworked the project, and then went back out to the market, and (builder) ADCO secured it. So it was tough, and I was on the record. I know you’ve reported on it, and I respect that, but we got here. This one is personal for me.” The 112 apartments in East Perth will include 24-7 support services and security, and will target the chronically homeless and rough sleepers. Mission Australia has been given a five-year contract to manage the facility. “We feel 100 per cent confident that we will be providing safe, secure and a transformational home, making a huge difference to the lives of those hundred or so people that will call this place home,” said Mission Australia chief executive Sharon Callister. “This is long-term housing, and it’s a fabulous model, because it is supported. It’s not just about having an asset or a building that you can say is a house. It’s absolutely a home, and it’s a home where we provide tailored, wrap-around support services.” She conceded the project was not enough to meet growing demand. “We know from the last census in 2021 that there are 122,000 people who are homeless every night,” Ms Callister said. “We know also that over recent years, we are seeing significant increases in our services. “But what is pretty phenomenal is when we provide services to people who are at risk of being homeless, 94 per cent of those people, which is almost everyone, gets to maintain their homes and their tenancies, and that’s why models like Common Ground (which are ) providing support, give people who are living here security, comfort and support”. Another Common Ground project with 50 self-contained apartments is due to open in Mandurah in 2027.