The Housing Authority will deliver 18 new social homes in the Great Southern for the benefit of vulnerable families and seniors under the $564 million Social Housing Investment Package (SHIP).
Tanya Steinbeck, SHIP Director and Great Southern Regional Manager, Ken Carter accompanied Housing Minister Brendan Grylls on a visit to the properties recently.
“Under SHIP, the Authority will provide an additional 1,000 social homes across WA by the end of June 2017 and a total of 1,350 homes over the next two years,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“These homes will allow the Authority to halve the priority wait list for seniors and families with children.
“By giving those most in need a home we are also providing them with a strong and secure foundation from which to improve their lives.”
Housing Minister, Brendon Grylls speaks to GWN7 about SHIP (Click on image to view the clip)
Footage courtesy of GWN7
The benefits from SHIP include stimulation of the local economy and increased employment in the construction sector which is experiencing an overall reduction in demand.
In regional areas, a competitive tender process is used to engage local builders and ensure value for money and quality construction outcomes.
Local construction company Wauters Enterprises is constructing nine SHIP houses in the Albany area.
“We get to support a lot of local businesses, and it’s good to see money being spent in the local communities,” Brett Joynes, CEO Wauters Enterprises said.
Another seven social homes are under construction in Lockyer, Bayonet Head and Mount Melville. Two homes in Denmark are currently out to tender for construction.
“SHIP was designed to stimulate activity in the construction sector and we are already seeing the benefits in Albany with Wauters Enterprises,” Ms Steinbeck said.
“With all of their materials and labour sourced locally, not only are we creating a social outcome through delivering new houses, we are positively impacting people in the Great Southern.”