The Western Australian government is investing $6 million to establish a new capability-building program aimed at increasing the community housing sector in the state.
The initiative is designed to increase the capacity of providers to deliver and manage more social and affordable housing projects.
Modelled on a successful Queensland initiative, the four-year program will provide critical support to both registered and unregistered community housing providers (CHPs).
The funding will support a range of services, including business advisory grants, growth readiness assessments, and a dedicated stream for learning and development.
Shelter WA, the peak body for community housing and homelessness in the state, is set to deliver the program. The organisation plays a key role in supporting both registered and emerging CHPs.
By equipping organisations with stronger governance and operational capabilities, the government aims to enable more providers to participate in major housing projects, including those supported by the Housing Australia Future Fund.
Housing and Works Minister John Carey said: “Community housing providers play an important role in delivering and managing safe, affordable homes for Western Australians, and our government is committed to growing the sector.
“This AU$6 million partnership with Shelter WA will help us increase opportunities to work with the sector to deliver more social and affordable housing projects in WA.”
The investment is part of a broader state government strategy, which has seen a record AU$6.3 billion injected into housing and homelessness measures since 2021, resulting in the delivery of over 3,900 social homes.
Shelter WA CEO Kath Snell welcomed the announcement, highlighting that the project will be steered in partnership with the Council of Aboriginal Services WA and the Department of Housing and Works.
“This initiative demonstrates the government’s clear intent to work directly with the sector and to actively support the growth and sustainability of WA’s community housing sector,” Snell said.
“Shelter WA is thrilled to see this project launch and looks forward to the tangible impact this investment will deliver across the sector and our communities.”