Arabic version: مجموعة المجتمع تقترح حلول سريعة للإسكان في غرب أستراليا

The Murchison Regional Aboriginal Corporation (MRAC) has announced plans to address the housing crisis in Western Australia by refurbishing vacant homes and constructing new modular houses. According to ABC News, MRAC aims to take over management of up to 5% of the state’s unoccupied public housing properties, leveraging local resources to expedite the refurbishment process.

MRAC’s chief executive, Brodie Pearce, stated that the organization can tenant a refurbished house within four to six weeks, utilizing local tradespeople instead of relying on contractors from Perth. This local approach is expected to significantly reduce turnaround times for getting vacant homes occupied.

The organization currently manages 115 housing properties, all occupied, and is advocating for the state government to allocate service-ready crown land for new modular home construction. MRAC has secured tenders from builders capable of rapidly assembling modular houses, which can be completed in as little as 12 weeks compared to the one-and-a-half to three years required for traditional double-brick homes.

Support for MRAC’s proposals comes from Shelter WA, whose chief executive, Kath Snell, emphasized the importance of community housing organizations in managing public housing stock. She highlighted that such organizations can better meet the needs of tenants, especially those who benefit from culturally responsive services. MRAC is currently awaiting a response from the state government regarding its proposals made last year.