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The state’s largest modular community housing project is on its way to regional Western Australia.
Fifty-four seniors-only social homes worth around $30 million will be built across 17 different sites in the Wheatbelt, with construction set to kick off later this month.
Planning and Lands minister John Carey said the project shows great innovation, moving away from double-brick homes typically seen in WA.
“As the state government, we’re doing everything we can to accelerate the delivery of housing across Western Australia. That has meant embracing new forms of housing delivery,” he said.
“It’s fair to say Western Australia has had a love affair with double brick. In fact, in Western Australia around 68 per cent of our housing delivery is by double brick. Compare that to the next state, which is Queensland at only 11 per cent. So as a state government, we have been working hard to embrace alternative housing delivery.
“Modular, timber frame, steel, small homes, you name it, we’ve been working hard to embrace alternative builds and that’s been reflected in the numbers.”
Each house will have two bedrooms and open to both single and couples in their senior years currently on the social housing waitlist.
The 54 homes will be built within the Shires of Bruce Rock, Dowerin, Kellerberrin, Merredin, Mount Marshall, Mukinbudin, Narembeen, Quairading, Westonia, Wyalkatchem and Yilgarn.
Modular homes are designed to be built in sections in an off-site facility. Around 80 per cent of the construction is finished off-site before being transported to its final location.
The company behind the construction of the 54 social homes is Modular WA.
Central East Accommodation and Care Alliance Inc. chief executive officer Paige McNeil said the new homes were crucial for seniors in the regions.
“This is a social housing solution, and they are for seniors, people living with disability, and people on very low incomes. But our waitlist in the Wheatbelt is predominantly seniors,” she said.
“]It’s about] ensuring that our seniors and people who are living with disability or are on low income have a successful long-term option to stay in those communities that they know and where their routines are and where they’re surrounded by family as well. ”
The first 14 homes will be built in the Shire of Kellerberrin and each home is expected to take six to eight weeks to complete. The project is expected to run until November 2027.
Western Australia senator Dorinda Cox said she was glad to see social housing being built in the regions.
“I have seen firsthand the enormous contribution older residents in the Wheatbelt make to their communities and the deep connections they have built over a lifetime,” she said.
“They deserve the security of a home that allows them to grow older close to the people and places they love, and this project delivers that while keeping housing affordable and supporting local jobs.”
Carey said the project should act as a message to future home builders to consider an alternative design to double-brick.
“It’s a message to all West Australians: you don’t necessarily have to go double brick. Think about alternative builds. Think about modular. Think about timber frames because there are real things to be gained, particularly in terms of time frame, if you pursue alternative build,” he said.
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