Senator the Hon Mathias Cormann

West Australian housing and homelessness services will be strengthened through a new deal that will deliver approximately $830 million in Commonwealth funding over five years.

The Coalition Government and West Australian Government have this week signed an agreement on the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement (NHHA).

This funding will assist in achieving Western Australia’s housing and homelessness priorities, including making a positive difference for families and individuals experiencing disadvantage by providing for homeless services and social housing.

It will help to provide for crisis and transitional accommodation, long term social housing, maintenance of social housing, builds and acquisitions, along with a range of assistance to prevent homelessness.

The NHHA replaces the National Affordable Housing Agreement and National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness.

This funding is part of more than $7 billion in Commonwealth housing funding and $620 million in Commonwealth homelessness funding, which is to be matched by States and Territories over five years.

Under the NHHA, funding levels will be maintained and funding allocated to homelessness services is ongoing and indexed, providing certainty to frontline homelessness services providers.

The Coalition Government has also agreed with the West Australian Government to provide a one-off Commonwealth funding contribution of $121 million for remote housing in Western Australia, following expiry of the National Partnership on Remote Housing on 30 June 2018.

The Coalition Government is committed continuing to work together with the States and Territories to improve housing and homelessness outcomes.

Funding for housing and homelessness services is part of our plan for a stronger economy and to keep Australians safe and together.