KATE MURNANE

3rd April 2008

A MULTI-MILLION dollar high-rise development is planned to combat the mounting pressure to find low-cost accommodation for people threatened with homelessness in Bunbury.

The Bunbury Housing Association, which is a non-government organisation has submitted a plan to the Department of Housing and Works for the redevelopment of Yanget Guest House, which will potentially double the occupancy numbers of the establishment.

The dilapidated building on Victoria Street is more than 50 years old and after a representative of the Department of Housing and Works visited in December 2007, a design was sought to redevelop the building.

Bunbury Housing Association houses more than 170 adults and children via community housing accommodation in the South West, including Yanget Guest House which houses 18 single men.

Bunbury Housing Association executive housing officer Renate Dehaan said Yanget had a 97 per cent occupancy rate in the past two years and it was not uncommon to have more than 200 people on the waiting list for community housing.

“Bunbury housing prices are getting out of people’s affordability,” Ms DeHaan said.

“Community housing is there to provide affordable, secure and good standard housing to people on low incomes — they only pay up to 25 per cent of their incomes.”

Community Housing Coalition of WA represents local and non- government community housing providers in WA and policy officer Gary Kleyn said there was a desperate need for more affordable housing in the South West.

“The demand is increasing for more affordable housing, it is now at crisis point,” Mr Kleyn said. “Bunbury needs more one and two bedroom houses to accommodate the demand.”

The inaugural Homeless Persons Week will be held from August 4 to 10 and the Community Housing Coalition is calling on schools, businesses and the community members to get involved.