“We’re trying to think outside the box, looking at different ways to accelerate the delivery of social and affordable housing.”
Carey has previously said in purchases such as Fraser Suites the state opts for a mix of about 30 per cent social and 70 per cent affordable housing, meaning housing rented to low-income earners with rent capped at 30 per cent of their total income.
Carey said the “beautiful” area of North Coogee only had about 0.78 per cent social housing.
“If we are to address the critical issue of housing our most vulnerable, we need to keep doing this,” he said.
“I understand from time to time that people can have apprehension, but the reality is that we do need to keep delivering social and affordable housing because we don’t, then we risk the consequences of more rough sleeping.”
The North Coogee project uses prefabricated masonry, which Carey said would mean the project would be completed in 16 months.
Federal Fremantle MP Josh Wilson said the new dwellings would mark a new chapter for people seeking affordable, safe and secure homes.
“North Coogee has a lot to offer with access to the beach, easy connection to Fremantle and great new public amenities,” he said.
The major whole-of-complex purchases have sparked significant public debate over the government’s pursuit of public housing in the face of a housing crisis.
Inglewood residents have been vocal in their criticism of the Department of Housing’s purchase of a Ninth Avenue complex for social housing which they say has caused significant anti-social behaviour.
The community housing sector heralded last week’s purchase of the Fraser Suites as a huge boost to help those struggling.
However, residents in the Queens Riverside tower next door say they were blindsided by the decision and hold concerns about the potential impact on their property values and risk of increased anti-social behaviour with so much public housing in one place.
Carey said he would attend two upcoming drop-in sessions with residents.
Carey also announced the government had met its 3300 new social homes target set in 2021.
There are currently 22,000 people on the public housing waitlist.
