As Western Australians settle into the new year, many are confronting major decisions about where to live, with the state's ongoing housing shortage continuing to squeeze the market. The Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) WA is pushing the State Government to use its upcoming budget to unlock new homes and improve affordability.
Budget Submission Targets Faster Housing Delivery
UDIA WA President Grant Shepherd confirmed the industry body has presented its pre-budget submission to the State Government, outlining targeted investments needed to support the timely delivery of new housing. With the 2026–27 State Budget to be handed down in May, the institute sees a critical window to advocate for policies that will accelerate supply.
The submission's investment priorities are built on three core goals: making it easier to deliver new homes, helping to contain housing costs, and ensuring effective planning for current and future needs. UDIA WA has welcomed housing policies announced during the early 2025 State Election campaign, many funded in last year's budget, and is now seeking to build on that momentum.
Funding Critical Infrastructure to Unlock Land
A central request is for additional funding for essential service providers like the Water Corporation. The institute argues that without adequate budgets for capital works, delays to enabling infrastructure can severely slow the release of new land for housing.
UDIA WA is also seeking further investment in the Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund, established last year. This fund is designed to support long-lead infrastructure required to unlock residential development in key growth areas across the state.
Supporting Density and Regional Growth
To expand housing choice, particularly in well-located urban areas, the submission prioritises supporting the financial viability of medium and high-density projects. Recommendations include:
- Extending and expanding the Infrastructure Development Fund to assist eligible apartment projects with upfront infrastructure costs.
- Establishing a low-interest mezzanine finance facility to help get projects off the ground.
For regional centres, UDIA WA has proposed a new fund offering low-interest loans. This initiative aims to address construction cost pressures and accelerate housing delivery, ensuring economic growth and opportunity are shared across Western Australia.
As the budget process unfolds, UDIA WA says it remains committed to providing proactive, shared solutions to the housing shortages impacting all Western Australians.
