Advance Housing $21.8m Bayonet Head 36-unit social housing project in Bayonet Head to break ground in April

A $21.8m social housing precinct is set to break ground in Bayonet Head in the coming weeks, with the facility to provide 36 homes for vulnerable people in Albany.

Located on Ascanius Parade in Bayonet Head, the designs include 25 social homes and 11 rental units.

Speaking on Friday, Premier Roger Cook said the project — run by Albany-based not-for-profit Advance Housing — was a vital boost to the city’s dire housing situation.

“These projects take a little while to get going, but when they do, they provide such an important contribution to housing supply to make sure that people can get a roof over their heads,” he said.

“We know that Albany is a thriving area, but of course, there are always those who struggle with the affordability of housing and the accessibility of housing.

“Boosting housing supply is the key measure that we need to make sure that we can continue to provide housing opportunities for all Western Australians.”

The project was jointly funded, with $11.08m from the State Government, almost $9.5m from the Commonwealth Government and the remainder contributed by Advance Housing.

Advance Housing chief executive John Lysaght said they were in the “final stages” of negotiations with a commercial builder, with construction expected to begin before the end of April.

“We’re particularly proud of this project because it responds to a demonstrated need within our community,” he said.

“Almost 90 per cent of applicants for community housing in this region are seeking one and two-bedroom housing stock, so that’s effectively been our focus.

“So one of the things that we’re very conscious of, and what our tenants continually tell us, is that with the cost-of-living increases, that everyone’s facing, high energy efficiency and good quality access is particularly important.”

The housing project will reach practical completion by the end of 2027.