Major investment to build homes for key workers in the west
WA Government joins forces with major mining companies to build houses to support workers in regional communities.
THE WA Labor Government will prioritise the building of more than 500 homes for regional frontline workers in partnership with Western Australia’s resources industry, as part of its new Seven Cities vision.
Seven Cities is a long-term vision to unlock the next wave of regional economic development and deliver quality infrastructure and services around the state.
The seven regional cities of Bunbury, Kalgoorlie, Port Hedland, Karratha, Broome, Geraldton and Albany have been identified as critical to the government’s vision for the state to become a renewable energy powerhouse.
This significant regional housing expansion will be delivered over five years and be partially funded through a partnership with major resources companies through the Resources Community Investment Initiative (RCII), with $100 million from Rio Tinto, $50 million from BHP and $20 million from Hancock.
Rio Tinto’s contribution will also deliver further housing in Wickham, Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Roebourne.
The 2026-27 Budget includes $419 million for Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) and other government worker accommodation, as part of an overall $692 million investment in regional housing initiatives.
This includes a revamped Home Ownership Subsidy Scheme (HOSS), which will include shared equity to encourage government workers to purchase homes in the communities they work in.
The Build to Lease investor scheme will also be expanded, to encourage private sector investment in the delivery of GROH.
As part of the 2026-27 State Budget and future budgets, the Cook Government will continue investing in the economic infrastructure necessary to bring new job-creating projects to fruition, including in industrial land, energy, water, transport and the environment.
“Our regions have been central to WA becoming the strongest economy in the nation and will be critical to our future economic success,” Premier Roger Cook said.
“While traditional industries like mining, agriculture and tourism will continue to thrive, our regions will be front-and-centre to my government’s vision.
“To seize the big job-creating projects in front of us in regional WA, we need the Seven Cities to have the economic infrastructure they need and to be able to provide quality services to the towns and remote communities within their regions.
Housing and Works Minister John Carey said the government is delivering several investments to boost regional housing choice.
“This announcement utilises partnerships with industry and local governments to continue driving more housing supply,” Carey said.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore CEO Matthew Holcz said his company has a long and deep connection to regional WA.
“Being a good partner to regional communities means investing in the things that make them work; the teachers, police and frontline workers who keep them safe and thriving. And for those people to be there, the right housing needs to be in place,” Holcz said.
“This $100 million investment does exactly that, delivering more homes in Karratha, Wickham, Tom Price, Paraburdoo and Roebourne and supporting the many people who live and work in these communities.”
