$20 million reallocated to social housing in remote WA

The WA Government has said it will deliver a significant boost to social housing in Kununurra and Wyndham, after reallocating the nearly $20 million initially committed to the Kununurra Aboriginal Short Stay Accommodation (KASSA).

This includes funding to construct new houses in the community and to refurbish and return existing social housing stock to the system.

Redirecting the funding is expected boost the supply of social housing by up to 32 homes over the next two years.

32 homes for the community

This includes eight homes that are ready to contract with local builders to construct, and four that are ready to commence the design process.

“I acknowledge there will be many people in the community disappointed by the decision to reallocate funding for the project, but our government is ensuring every dollar committed to the short stay will be spent in the Kununurra and Wyndham communities,” Housing and Works Minister John Carey said.

Housing and Works Minister John Carey.

“This investment will deliver up to 32 homes for vulnerable members of the community, helping to address the demand for social housing in the area.

“While this project is no longer feasible, our government will continue to engage with local stakeholders to increase access to secure housing.”

• Funds reallocated from Kununurra Aboriginal Short Stay to refurbishments and new social housing in Kununurra and Wyndham
• WA Government acknowledges the advocacy of stakeholders for more temporary and permanent housing locally

These projects will provide a pipeline of work to local builders, offering opportunities for Aboriginal employment, training and apprenticeships.

The reallocation allows the State Government, through the Department of Housing and Works, to engage small and medium businesses that may not have benefited from a project on the scale of a short stay.

No longer feasible

The government acknowledges the work of local stakeholders who advocated for the KASSA, but ultimately it was no longer feasible.

The project has faced significant challenges, including a lack of suitable vacant land or existing facilities for repurposing.

The Department of Housing and Works, in partnership with local stakeholders, looked extensively for workable sites.

A site was identified in early 2024, however, the existing facility is now an Aboriginal youth training, education and accommodation service – a much-needed service for the local community.

As a result, the government withdrew from negotiations from this site.