New Housing In State Budget

by Alex Thorpe

May 18, 2007

The state government’s 2007 budget includes $16.8 million towards lodging house beds in the Fremantle area.

The investment has raised speculation about the future of Fremantle’s Ocean View lodge, which had previously been targeted for redevelopment.

The privately-owned lodge provides 205 beds and 74 lodgers have lived there for a year or more.

A study conducted by the Community Housing Coalition of Western Australia raised concerns about the future of the lodge and the wellbeing of those who would be displaced if it were redeveloped.

The study also revealed that the number of private-sector lodging houses is declining and that more government investment is needed to sustain low-rent lodging. 

Hansard shows that in September last year, the State Government approved funding for the Department of Housing and Works to purchase the Ocean View lodge, but the owner of the lodge declined.

The DHW will be looking for “alternative suitable properties,” to develop in the area, in conjunction with St Patrick’s Community Support Centre.