Housing Affordability
Housing affordability is one of the most consistently active topics, with community sentiment reflecting anxiety about displacement, rent rises, and the lack of affordable options for essential workers and young families. Shelter WA and WA Dept of Communities have both contributed, bringing state-level context. Proposals range from inclusionary zoning requirements to council-initiated community housing developments. The most upvoted proposal calls for a 10% affordable housing mandate on all new residential developments above 10 units. Key unanswered question: will the City take a position on using council-owned land for affordable housing development?
City Response
The City of Fremantle's Local Planning Strategy 2040 includes affordable housing objectives. We are currently reviewing opportunities for inclusionary zoning within the proposed Fremantle Activity Centre Zone. A housing needs assessment commissioned by the City will be released for public comment in May 2026. We encourage all stakeholders to engage with that process.
Elected Representative
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10% affordable housing mandate on new residential developments ≥10 dwellings
Implement a 10% affordable housing contribution requirement for all new residential developments of 10 or more dwellings within Fremantle's town centre zone. The contribution can be satisfied in-kind (on-site affordable units) or via a cash contribution to a City-managed affordable housing fund.
Proposals (4)
Essential Worker Housing Program with employer rent subsidy contributions
Create an Essential Worker Housing Program in partnership with local hospitals, schools, and emergency services — priority access to below-market rentals for nurses, teachers, and paramedics within the Fremantle LGA. Employers contribute to rent subsidies; City provides planning support and land.
State-City joint venture for affordable housing on Parry Street site
The Department of Communities proposes a joint venture with City of Fremantle to develop affordable housing on the council-owned car park site on Parry Street, should it not proceed as a parking facility. We could deliver 40–60 affordable and social housing units with ground-floor community space.
Fast-track granny flat approvals: 10-day processing for compliant applications
Streamline development approvals for secondary dwellings (granny flats) — reduce approval time to 10 working days for compliant applications. This is the fastest way to add affordable rental supply across Fremantle's existing residential areas.
Comments (7)
My rent has gone up 35% in two years. I've lived in North Fremantle for 12 years and I'm now seriously considering having to leave. This is not a marginal problem — it's affecting long-term, contributing community members.
Fremantle's median rental price has increased 42% since 2022. The vacancy rate is under 1%. Without intervention, workforce housing will become a critical failure point — you won't be able to staff hospitals, schools, or restaurants.
We're struggling to hire in hospitality because staff can't afford to live nearby. Several long-standing restaurants on South Terrace are at risk of closing due to inability to retain kitchen and floor staff. This isn't a social issue — it's an economic emergency.
The essential worker housing proposal needs to specifically include community sector workers — social workers, youth workers, disability support workers. They're often earning less than nurses or teachers and are equally critical to community wellbeing.
The granny flat proposal is smart — it doesn't require big capital investment and works with the existing housing stock. But the real question is whether the approvals system can actually process 10 working days. Currently it takes 8 weeks.
The State Government's Social Housing Investment Package includes $210M for infill social housing across Perth. Fremantle is identified as a priority LGA. We're actively looking for suitable sites in partnership with local government.
I'll be supporting the housing needs assessment and pushing for the inclusionary zoning proposal to be tested in the Activity Centre Zone. We have the tools — we need the political will to use them.