State Government to provide 40 homes for Geraldton to target homelessness through two initiatives

The State Government has unveiled plans for more tiny homes for Geraldton while securing two-dozen houses under a regional-first initiative to tackle homelessness.

Housing Minister John Carey revealed two announcements while in Geraldton on Monday which would make 40 more homes available in the area.

Under the supportive landlord model, which targets vulnerable people to get them into permanent housing and provides them with wraparound support, 24 houses have been obtained.

It is part of the Government’s plan to deliver 100 homes across Geraldton, Albany and Kalgoorlie-Boulder to support people experiencing homelessness.

Geraldton is the first area to establish the model, following the area’s success in achieving a measurable reduction in street homelessness in 2023 and 2024 via different programs.

Meanwhile, 16 tiny homes are set to be delivered by mid-2025, which will be located in Wandina.

They will be one or two-bedroom homes, build to the gold Liveable Homes standard.

Tiny homes take about 12 weeks to design and construct, meaning a faster construction time, less waste, and increased capacity for adaptability.

Mr Carey said the move was part of a commitment to support homelessness across the regions.

“We’ve committed $53 million to deliver 100 homes across Geraldton, Albany and Kalgoorlie to support people at risk of or experiencing homelessness, through the regional supportive landlord model,” he said.

“Along with the construction of the Geraldton Short Stay facility, construction of 16 new tiny homes for social housing, and the addition of 24 new homes in the supportive landlord model, the Cook Labor Government is focused on delivering a housing-first approach.

“This is all part of our record $4.5 billion investment in housing and homelessness measures which will deliver more than 5300 social homes and undertake maintenance and refurbishment to many thousands more.”

In December 2023, Geraldton became the third community in Australia to achieve a measurable reduction in street homelessness under the Advance to Zero campaign. Last year, Geraldton was the second WA community, after Mandurah, to achieve a measurable reduction in rough sleeping homelessness.

Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton said she was proud to deliver the projects for Geraldton, saying it would go a long way to helping the community’s needs.

“I’m very proud that Geraldton is the first regional town centre where we have expanded our successful supportive landlord model, which will ultimately deliver 40 homes to support people sleeping rough,” she said.

It comes after the State Government contributed $1.6m towards the City of Greater Geraldton’s Olive Street project in Mahomets Flats, aiming to attract and house key workers to the area.