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East Perth: $25m development to provide housing for low income earners opens

Giovanni TorreEastern Reporter

A NEW $25 million development to provide housing to people on low incomes and to eligible applicants who work in the city centre opened in East Perth today.

Housing Minister Colin Holt was on site this morning to officially open the 70-apartment complex on Bennett Street.

Mr Holt congratulated Foundation Housing on the project, to which the State Government contributed $1.7 million through the Housing Authority.

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“The Bennett Street development is another great example of government working in partnership with the not-for-profit sector to deliver affordable housing in key locations such as the CBD,” he said.

“Seventeen units will help reduce the number of singles and couples on the joint waitlist and provide vital housing for those on low-incomes earning above social housing eligibility limits. The other 52 self-contained units will aid low-income earners at risk of becoming homeless.”

Foundation Housing chief executive Kathleen Gregory AM said the complex represented “a new standard for Foundation Housing in its accommodation provision”.

“This is a very important step for ensuring that those who are often the most vulnerable in our community now have some independence but remain in a safe environment,” Ms Gregory said.

“Residents will enjoy fantastic, modern, inner city living close to public transport and will also be supported by Foundation Housing’s programs and services that assist them to not only access and maintain a home but to also strive for more independent living.”

Mr Holt said the Government had joined with Foundation Housing on a range of housing projects including a Newcastle Street complex and the Foyer Oxford in Leederville.

“The development of innovative partnerships between the Government and the private and community housing sectors is a key element of this Government’s Affordable Housing Strategy 2010-2020: Opening Doors to Affordable Housing,” he said.

“We are well on our way to meeting our target of 30,000 affordable homes by 2020, with more than 23,600 delivered already.”

Foundation Housing manages 1973 dwellings on behalf of the Housing Authority, and provides social and affordable housing options for eligible individuals and families on low-to-moderate incomes.