The WA Budget delivers a record $4.7 billion in new investment to boost housing supply, diversity, and affordability. For the community housing sector, the centrepiece is a $1.5 billion investment to deliver and refurbish social and affordable housing over the next four years.
Key announcements for community housing providers include:
- Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF): A $1 billion investment delivered in partnership with the Commonwealth to build 1,426 new social and affordable dwellings.
- Community Housing Capability Program: A highly relevant $6 million commitment to support registered and emerging community housing providers to expand their capacity and deliver more housing across the State. (resources and links below)
- Regional Housing Support Fund: An increase of $50 million (bringing the fund to $75 million) to provide grants to community housing providers, local governments, and developers to assist with construction and infrastructure costs for housing projects in regional WA.
- Social Housing Maintenance and Expansion: $234 million is allocated for maintenance and upgrades on social housing, Government Regional Officer Housing, and Aboriginal housing, bringing underutilised homes back online. Furthermore, $723.5 million has been added to the Social and Affordable Housing Investment Fund to deliver 844 dwellings and refurbish 215 properties.
Boost to Homelessness Accommodation and Support Services
The budget commits over $91 million in additional funding over the forward estimates specifically for homelessness services.
Specific service funding allocations include:
- $27.8 million for the recommissioning of homelessness accommodation services across the State.
- $10.7 million in ongoing, secure funding for the Safe Night Space for Women in Northbridge, which was previously closed.
- $17.2 million to support expanded operations at the Indigo Junction youth homelessness accommodation facility in Midland.
- $12.5 million for tenancy support services at the new Perth Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation facility.
- $8.2 million to continue expanding the Entrypoint assessment and referral service, including extended call-centre hours.
- $6.2 million to deliver Housing First Support Services for up to 25 dwellings in Kalgoorlie under the Regional Supportive Landlord Model.
- $3.1 million to expand in-reach supported youth accommodation, prioritising LGBTIQA+ young people.
Homelessness Prevention and Rent Relief
To stop vulnerable individuals from entering the homelessness system, the Government is investing an additional $13.5 million to extend the WA Rent Relief Program to June 2027. This program provides one-off payments of up to $5,000 for private tenants experiencing rental stress and at risk of eviction.
Sector Sustainability and Contract Indexation
Crucially for your organisation’s financial health, the budget allocates $41.5 million to index the Non-Government Human Services Sector (NGHSS) service contracts. This indexation directly applies to community service organisations delivering statutory child protection, homelessness, family and domestic violence, and mental health services on behalf of public sector agencies.
Intersection with Family and Domestic Violence (FDV)
Recognising the strong link between FDV and homelessness, the budget allocates an additional $106 million to FDV initiatives. This includes $34 million to recommission existing FDV crisis accommodation and deliver five pipeline refuges, alongside $18.1 million to construct a new 15-bed refuge in Innaloo, and $1.3 million to purchase land for a new refuge in Geraldton.
Learn more
Additional resources for Community Housing Providers