Perth

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Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi has today formally launched an innovative $15.7 million rental housing project and redeveloped public car park in Goderich Street, East Perth.
The “Key City Workers Development” has recently commenced construction, and is the first project of its type for local government in WA. It is jointly funded by the City of Perth, the State Government’s Department of Housing, the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) and the Disability Services Commission, with the housing to be managed by Access Housing Australia.
The project aligns with the Western Australian Government’s State Affordable Housing Strategy objectives including improving the supply of affordable rental housing, providing options for people to transition through the housing continuum, and working in partnership with local and state governments to address local housing needs.
Lord Mayor Scaffidi said that the City was excited by the prospect of practically addressing the issue of affordable housing for low to middle income key city workers.
“The City of Perth’s leadership with this project will mean that key and essential city-based workers, particularly those on modest incomes, will have the ability to live close to their workplaces.  It will not only help the workers but also help the city to thrive, diversify and develop economically,” Ms Scaffidi said.
The NRAS funding will provide annual incentives equating to approximately $6 million over ten years, with 75% being provided by the Commonwealth and 25% from the State Government.
Tenants in the project will be charged 80% of market rent, with prices based on the market rental value of each property. They will be subject to income assessment being an initial income limit of $44,128 for a single person and $61,006 for a couple with upper limits set at $55,160 and $76,258 respectively.
They must work in the City and leases will be limited to a maximum of three years. Tenants who stop working in the City will be required to vacate their apartment after six months.
The Key City Worker Development was designed by Jamie Penn, of Scott Penn Hall Architecture and Interior Design. It will feature a number of innovative sustainability features including contemporary water and energy efficiency technologies, and is registered for Green Star “as built” certification. Importantly, tenants will be living close to employment, shopping and entertainment, allowing many to live without the additional expense of a car.
Mr Penn said the building’s design aimed to reduce not only the environmental impact, but also the living costs of tenants.
The building contract for the three-level complex consisting of 48 one and two-bedroom apartments for around 90 tenants was awarded to the Northerly Group Pty Ltd and is set for completion by mid 2013. 
A new 177-bay Goderich Street public car park, featuring enhanced security and shelter, supplements the main housing project and is expected to reach practical completion in October 2012.
Importantly, funding support from the Disability Services Commission has ensured that six units have been specifically designed as “adaptable housing” for people with disabilities in alignment with the Liveable Homes initiative. 

KEY CITY WORKER DEVELOPMENT – ELIGIBILITY FACTS
Current Income Limits (March 2012)
Household Type Entry Income Limit Upper Income Limit to Maintain Eligibility
Single Person $44,128 $55,160
Single Person + 1 child $61,049 $76,312
Couple $61,006 $76,258
Couple + 1 child $75,641 $94,553
Other Eligibility Criteria and Rental Costs
• All tenants must prove that they work within the City of Perth boundaries during the course of their tenancy. 
• If a tenant becomes ineligible while occupying a unit, they will be given six months to find alternative accommodation, so that their apartment can be allocated to an eligible person on the waiting list.
• A maximum tenancy period of three years will apply to all tenants, after which time they will be required to find alternative accommodation. 
• Rental fees will be determined by market valuation when the housing is complete.  Based on prices of similar properties currently for rent in the area tenants could be expected to pay $270-$300 per week for a one bedroom and $320-$360 for a two bedroom property.