Work has begun on an 80-bed aged-care facility in the heart of East Perth aimed at supporting older West Australians with a history of homelessness.
The development on Brown street is close to public transport, community services, Claisebrook Cove and Royal Perth Hospital, with accessibility being a key focus.
Camera IconTrees on the road verge on Brown Street will be retained in the development. Credit: Supplied
The development will be owned and operated by St Bart’s, a not-for-profit provider of accommodation and outreach services.
The Federal Government is providing $30 million towards the project through the aged care capital assistance program.
According to St Bart’s, the seven-storey project is expected to be completed late 2027 and feature shared balconies, a rooftop terrace, podium level communal outdoor space and gardens.
The site will also have on-site facilities designed to support residents’ health and well-being.
Federal Aged Care and Seniors Minister Sam Rae said the new facility would help bring more aged care beds online in areas where they are needed the most.
“Every older Western Australian deserves to age with dignity in a safe and caring place that they can be proud to call home,” he said.
“In partnership with St Barts, Labor’s investment will allow St Bart’s to deliver even more specialised care to those that it most in Perth.”
Perth Federal MP Patrick Gorman said increasing housing supply and investing in aged care were priorities for the community.
“Every person in our community deserves the opportunity to grow older with dignity,” he said.
“Our government is pleased to see work begin this new 80-bed aged care facility. Providing a safe place for our most vulnerable community members to call home.”
St Bart’s chief executive Samantha Drury spoke at the sod turning event.
“We turn the soil, but what we are really turning toward is a future where more people have a place to call home, where older people can age with dignity, and more people in our community are seen, supported and valued, giving them hope for a better tomorrow,” she said.
The State and Federal governments are also supporting St Bart’s to deliver an eight-storey development which will feature 56 one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartments on Kensington Street in East Perth.
The housing project has received $44m from the Housing Australia Future Fund, with the State Government contributing a further $15m.