Housing Minister John Carey has today announced a $1 million upgrade of facilities at 100 Hampton Road in Fremantle, a lodging house for low income earners.
The new funding comes after St Patrick's Community Support Centre (St Pat's) agreed to take over the management of Hampton Road earlier this year, signing a five-year lease and locking in ongoing support for clients.
The lodging house at 100 Hampton Road in Fremantle accommodates up to 150 low income earners and people experiencing homelessness.
The Hampton Road facility was built in the 1960s as nurses' quarters for the Department of Health and was purchased by the Department of Communities in 2008 for $15.5 million.
As well as rooms for low income earners, the complex provides several communal facilities, including a commercial kitchen.
As part of the new lease agreement with St Pat's, the Department of Communities committed to complete maintenance and upgrade works on the property.
Communities is working with St Pat's to coordinate works scheduling with the appropriate management of residents' needs.
As stated by Housing Minister John Carey:
"My number one focus as the Housing Minister has been to boost the number of homes available to vulnerable Western Australians. Upgrading existing assets such as Hampton Road and ensuring they remain available is absolutely critical in achieving that.
"By investing up to $1 million in improving Hampton Road, we are ensuring this critical facility can continue to provide support to vulnerable people for years to come.
"The McGowan Government is focused on meeting the challenges in our housing market and supporting vulnerable people in our community, which is why the Government is also investing $2.1 billion on social housing over the next four years."
As stated by Fremantle MLA Simone McGurk:
"The complex at Fremantle's 100 Hampton Road has been providing a vital service for many years to people on low incomes who might otherwise find themselves without a safe and comfortable place to live.
"The State Government is working constantly to improve the lives of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
"This upgrade of facilities, combined with the signing of experienced service provider St Pat's to manage the lodging house, will ensure that 100 Hampton Road continues to support vulnerable members of our community in the best way possible."