Unused building spaces could be converted into affordable housing under a Greens initiative that is attracting growing support.
Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam has called for grants of up to $21,000 to help landlords convert empty commercial space, shop-top rooms, vacant warehouses and derelict homes into affordable housing. Housing and social welfare groups have voiced support for the policy to convert tens of thousands of empty dwellings in Perth into affordable rentals.
Senator Ludlam welcomed today's call by leading WA academic Dr Beth George for property owners to take advantage of the new Building Act and put their empty spaces to good use.
"Ninety percent of the spaces above the ground floor in the Hay Street Mall, for example, are empty. The spaces that can't practically be adapted for housing could still be used for small businesses, creative industries and other independent outfits to help revitalise the city.
"Under our policy, property owners with spaces that can be adapted for housing will be encouraged to fix them up, rent them out and take a great deal of pressure off the rental market - without any increase in urban sprawl.
"In the Perth metropolitan area, according to recent figures, almost one in ten residential properties are vacant but there are about 28,000 households on the public housing waiting list. That is an absurd situation and ‘Convert to Rent' can help fix it," said Senator Ludlam. "The Federal Government won't commit to auditing the number of current vacancies that could be used for housing. We hope the State Government takes a more active and constructive approach."
The financial assistance offered by the program is a fully forgivable loan to a maximum of $21,000 which does not have to be repaid if the owner adheres to the conditions of the program. An additional $5000 can be allocated for buildings and spaces to be modified for people with a disability. The loan would be used for renovations to make the dwelling inhabitable, such as installing new bathrooms and kitchens. The recipients would rent the dwelling out at 75 per cent of the market rate for 20 years.
Media Contact: Giovanni Torre - 0417 174 302
