Housing Minister John Carey invites builders to apply for panel to help boost social housing supply in WA

The Minister for Housing is encouraging builders from across the State to submit an expression of interest to deliver new and refurbished social housing.

On July 15, Housing Minister John Carey said builders of all sizes were invited to apply, with successful proponents set to form a Statewide panel to help boost the supply of social housing in WA.

Mr Carey said the panel would primarily support the delivery of social housing but may be expanded to include other housing programs delivered by the Department of Communities.

“The establishment of a new Statewide building panel is an integral process to accelerate delivery of social housing in what is currently a heated construction market, as all participating companies have been pre-approved to deliver projects,” Mr Carey said.

“The panel will assist both large and small companies to build their capacity and benefit from the McGowan Government’s major pipeline of investments in social housing, which may enable them to grow their business, taking on additional staff and work.

“This is the latest in a number of significant reforms implemented by the McGowan Government to help boost the supply of social housing as fast as possible across WA.

“I encourage all registered builders, of all sizes, across the State to register their interest for this opportunity.”

REIWA South West representative and deputy president Joe White said the planning process for builders had become so difficult it was turning people away from things like smaller projects and government housing.

“With inflation and the cost of living going up, make no mistake, we do have an affordability problem with rentals, you can’t deny it, and there will be more people looking for social housing,” Mr White said.

“The way we can best deliver housing to that group of people is to increase the supply of housing in general so the least amount of people possible rely on it.

“I think getting these smaller builders reengaged, and making it easier for them to reengage is a vital step.”