There's been fierce commentary lately around the planning and delivery of public housing. What is it? Where should it go? Why isn't it being delivered quicker? Who is responsible?
Lately the State Government has blamed local council red tape for slowing down approvals, when in fact it’s their own inability to deliver enough housing for vulnerable people which is the core issue.
Putting aside the well-trodden issues at Common Ground on Wellington Street in East Perth (112 self-contained apartments + on-site support) which could be delayed by as much as eight years before a single person can call it home, the most recent example is DevelopmentWA's project at 195 Pier Street in Perth's CBD.
Lodged on behalf of the Departmentof Communities WA as the original owner of the vacant lot, DAP approved a 26 storey 186 apartment complex back in June 2019. The Department is allowed to bypass the City of Perth town planning scheme as it is deemed a public works project so they simply have to comply with the WAPC’s MRS (sourced – DAP agenda).
Additionally, COVID planning reforms gave this project a four year window just to start construction. Not to finish, just to start building. Within four years. In a housing and homelessness crisis.
According to DAP agenda papers, approximately 15% of the residential stock would be for public housing and 15% would be for shared equity/affordable housing. That's roughly 60 apartments for those who need it most.
Where is it up to? On 8 August 2023 DAP approved another two-year delay on this project, with no works having commenced by the original expiry date of June 2023. This is now looking like a six-year delay at minimum by the time this is built, but we all know it'll be longer.
Given the Minister for Planning started erroneously blaming councils for delays in this space, it's only fair to point out that over 170 homes for our most vulnerable Western Australians have been delayed across just two projects located less than a kilometre apart.
You have approval extensions, you have more than enough money, and worst of all you have a crisis. Just get on with it.
More info on 195 Pier Street-> https://lnkd.in/gzsyxVAk
DAP Agenda papers ->https://lnkd.in/gzN4zEfm