State Development Assessment Unit
Western Australia
26 May 2025

To whom it may concern,

Re: 969/971 Beaufort Street, Inglewood, WA development

I am writing in support of the proposal of local Inglewood resident Paris Fitzpatrick and the City of Sterling for a restrictive covenant on the development at 969/971 Beaufort Street, Inglewood, WA, to ensure that the social housing provided in the development is allocated to older people in perpetuity. We also urge that the development meets the requirements of the Livable Housing Design ‘Silver’ Standard.

Housing for the Aged Action Group (HAAG) is a member-based, community organisation that was established in 1983. We work towards the alleviation of housing related poverty for older people in Australia through our national advocacy and our service in Victoria, Home at Last. HAAG has long advocated for increasing the amount of public and community homes to provide the secure, affordable homes older people on low incomes require. As such, HAAG commends the Western Australian government investment in social housing at 969/971 Beaufort Street, Inglewood, and the announcement that this housing will be ‘earmarked for seniors’. Paris Fitzpatrick and the City of Sterling have noted that the commitment that the
development is for older people is not reflected in the project plans, and they hold concerns that the development may not be dedicated to older people.

Allocating a minimum proportion of public and community home to people over 55 years of age recognises the limited earning capacity of older people, and their need for housing security to enable them to age in place, with the health and wellbeing benefits this brings.

As such, HAAG supports actions that ensure social housing developments dedicate units to people over 55 years of age, including this call for a restrictive covenant.

Housing with accessible design is crucial for meeting the needs of people with reduced mobility, including older Australians. The 2022 National Construction Code now includes requirements for liveable housing design to improve the suitability of new Australian homes for people with reduced mobility. As Western Australia is still to adopt this code, HAAG urges that this development is explicitly required to ensure complies with the Livable Housing Design ‘Silver’ Standard.

Your sincerely

Fiona York
Executive Officer
Fiona.york@oldertenants.org.au