Kathleen as CEO of Foundation Housing, which is  one of WA's largest developers and managers of affordable housing for people in need.

 

Kathleen is also active with the CEO is the homelessness sector working on My home, and ending homelessness.  

Foundation Housing provides accommodation for 3,200. Foundation Housing also has also project access to the state minister of housing.

There are to be 550 new houses into the system but there will still be a huge gap with 14000 on the waiting list. The list has eased off slightly with private rentals being more affordable but long term security remains an issue for people in the private rental market.

Foundation Housing also has 450 lodging rooms as a first housing option. Also Foundation Housing is a partner with Anglicare in Foyer with Foundation doing the build and running the building.

Frustration has been building is the sector so for the last 2 years concerned leaders have moved forward to end homelessness looking to the world's best practice examples in places like Canada and have been working on our own local community plans. Coming up with a 10 year plan. End homelessness WA is the website to visit. Shelter WA has been facilitating the back ground work.

In that plan there is also conversations with the WA Government as they develop their 10 year plan. 

The goal is to reform services to be effective and quick in their response, by undertaking system reform.

The other crucial need is the supply of the needed accommodation. Hence the various projects like Ken Mullin's work on Common Ground accommodation. 

Another project is that of Tiny houses by Michelle. 

This project has a Melbourne precedent of small houses on government peppercorn leased land. There has been a donation of $4 million for the houses. $6 million is required for the 57 small houses to be built in that project.

These houses are cheap, efficient and quick to erect. Here is a permanent and long term home that enables the resident to feel self-sufficient. Here is best practice housing first approach that provides the residents with the security and safety that they require. For the provider it is also easier for them to supply the necessary support services that are required by the residents.

These small, technically fully transportable homes, will be placed on State Government leased land for Foundation Housing with private money donated for the housing build.

There will be 8 houses per lot that can be moved if required. Houses that are built on a domestic level and common plan. Houses that have sustainability, insulated and sound proof.

On the basic floor plan the external presentation changes to suit the style of area in which the houses are placed.

Guests can be accommodated with external storage and bunk beds. It is also a non institutional environment. 

Canning highway on the east side, on land that has been set aside for future widening but unlikely to happen for that highway. So this will be the demonstration site at 124 Canning Highway with a bus stop, IGA supermarket and and post office very close by.

The costing and design is for $60,000 per unit for a total of $5 million for 75 units. Possible deductions for donation contributions.

Trying to have the utility suppliers wave connection costs for the water and electricity which can be $50,000 per site.

Professional fees are being provided pro bono even  for the landscaping.

The proposed sites are for South Perth, Perth, Fremantle and Cockburn. 

The pilot project's tenants will be women over 55 as the starting resident target group.

The minister Peter Tinley as the Government Minister is yet to give the go ahead for this demonstration project.

The unites will be fitted out ready to occupy down to kitchen utensils which will be sourced from community groups.