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Key City Worker Housing Project
The City of Perth’s Key City Worker Apartments provide an opportunity for people on low to moderate incomes to experience affordable inner city living.
The City is now leasing BRAND NEW one and two bedroom apartments at 111-133 Goderich Street, East Perth less than 1.5 km from the city centre with easy access to free inner city transit and local shops and cafes.
Subsidised through the National Rental Affordability Scheme, rents are 20% BELOW MARKET RATES. Tenants living expenses will be further reduced through innovative environmentally efficient design and lower travel costs.
Six units have been designed in accordance with the Adaptable Housing Standards and are suitable for people with disabilities or special needs.
Available in June 2013, this is a fantastic opportunity that shouldn't be missed. Applications are now open through Access Housing on 9430 0900 or www.accesshousing.org.au.
Income limits and other eligibility criteria apply.
To see what the apartments look like, click the images below to see a larger version in a new window.
Please note, apartments do not come furnished.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
To be eligible, people must meet the City of Perth eligibility requirements which include:
- having a job within the City of Perth or in close proximity.
- not exceeding cash asset limits.
- not owning property.
- not earning more than the household income limits set by the Commonwealth Government under the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS).
The NRAS income limits are adjusted yearly and for 2012-13 were for various household types:
|
Household composition |
Initial (moving in) household income limit |
Upper Income Limit (before having to move out)* |
|
One adult |
$44,835 |
$56,044 |
|
Two adults |
$61,985 |
$77,482 |
|
Sole parent with one child |
$62,028 |
$77,535 |
|
Couple with one child |
$76,856 |
$96,070 |
Different income limits apply for other types of households. Check the National Rental Affordability Scheme website for the latest figures.
HOW MUCH IS THE RENT?
Tenants will pay 80% of the market rent for the property. This will be determined by an independent valuer once the construction is complete in June 2013.
HOW LONG CAN TENANTS STAY?
Eligible tenants will be able to renew fixed term leases for up to three years. The City wants to ensure that a range of people are able to enjoy the benefits of the development and hopes the experience will assist them to ‘transition’ to private rental or ownership.
UNIVERSAL ACCESS APARTMENTS
Six apartments have been designed in accordance with Adaptable Housing Standards for people with disabilities or special needs.
These apartments offer simple features to improve comfort and accessibility including:
- Adjustable kitchen cooktops, benchtops and overhead cupboards.
- Hobless shower recess and strong grab rails.
- Wider doors and circulation spaces.
- Accessible light switches, power outlets and door handles.
- Lever tapware will be installed typically to all outlets.
- Easy access from the car park and footpath to the front door.
The Disability Services Commission has kindly contributed $40,000 towards the design and fit out of universal access apartments.
WHY IS THE CITY DOING THIS?
The City of Perth’s vision is to be a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a diverse residential community. This means providing housing to suit a wide range of people with different income levels.
In recent years, inner city housing has become out of reach for many workers in occupations such as hospitality, retail, administration and community services.
The City of Perth wants to ensure that these workers have an opportunity to settle in the city so that they can live close to their work. Living close to work can save unnecessary vehicle ownership expenses, help reduce traffic congestion and greenhouse gas emissions.
Providing affordable housing benefits city businesses, especially the small business sector and can help to attract and retain staff.
It is not the City’s role to solve the affordability crisis or provide social housing. Rather the City wants to address a gap in the inner city housing market for low and moderate income people.
ENVIRONMENTAL INNOVATION AND LOWER LIVING COSTS
The Goderich Street apartments have been designed to reduce energy and water use and thus expensive utility bills. The City has registered the project with the Green Building Council of Australia and is targeting a Five Star “Green Star” rating.
The environmental features of the apartments include:
- Additional wall and ceiling insulation.
- Energy efficient lights & fittings.
- Water saving taps, showers and toilets.
- Solar hot water.
- Low VOC paints and floor coverings.
- Natural and mechanically assisted ventilation.
- Lower carbon footprint materials.
There is a large, secure and undercover parking area for bikes and a reduced number of car bays.
The central city location means that residents will be able to walk, cycle and use public transport to get to work and access daily needs like groceries without the need for a car.
SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
The Department of Housing has provided a generous grant of $1.6 million grant towards the construction of the apartments under the Affordable Housing Strategy which aims to deliver more affordable housing options to low to moderate income households.
The Disability Services Commission has contributed $40,000 towards the design and fit-out of the accessible apartments.