❓ Mr. Love inquires about the number and occupancy status of Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) properties in WA. The answer provides a breakdown by region, highlighting occupancy rates, vacancy reasons, and portfolio management practices.
AnsweredQoN 944Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Government Regional Officer’s Housing properties
in Western Australia and I ask: (a) What is the total number of Government Regional Officer Housing properties in Western Australia by region, and of those: (i) how many are currently tenanted; (ii) how many are unoccupied; (iii) of those unoccupied, how many are currently undergoing major or large scale maintenance; and (iv) of those unoccupied what is the longest period they have been unoccupied?
in Western Australia and I ask: (a) What is the total number of Government Regional Officer Housing properties in Western Australia by region, and of those: (i) how many are currently tenanted; (ii) how many are unoccupied; (iii) of those unoccupied, how many are currently undergoing major or large scale maintenance; and (iv) of those unoccupied what is the longest period they have been unoccupied?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
28 November 2023
Responded by
Minister for Housing
Response time
7 days
(a) (i)-(iv)
As at 30 September 2023, there was a total of 5,168 Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) properties throughout Western Australia. The utilisation of GROH properties allocated to client agencies is determined by the agency, including who will tenant the property and when they will start their tenancy. Communities facilitates this by undertaking incoming property inspections and working with tenants as required by the client agency.
As at 30 September 2023, 97% of GROH properties are currently occupied or allocated to a client agency for their use. The remaining three percent of properties may be undergoing maintenance or refurbishment or being considered for redevelopment potential based on factors such as age, location and land size.
Over an average 12-month period, up to one third of all GROH portfolio tenancies may turnover due to normal rotation of staff in regional locations, agencies rotating staff on fixed tenure arrangements and staff leave, for example maternity leave for regional teachers or police. When the properties are vacated they undergo varying degrees of maintenance or refurbishment works before the next tenant moves into the property.
Communities routinely assesses its housing stock, including vacant GROH properties. The number of unallocated properties i.e. those that are not allocated to a client agency does not necessarily equate to the number of vacant properties, as GROH properties may be privately leased to non-government organisations, not for profits or members of the public to ensure utilisation. Where appropriate, GROH properties that no longer have client agency demand are considered for use as public housing.
The table below provides a breakdown of occupied and vacant GROH properties by region. Allocated GROH properties may be vacant at a point in time for a number of operational reasons, including the recruitment and deployment of new employees and the need for availability for employees providing relief work. Unallocated vacant properties may be new to the portfolio, undergoing major works or being considered for future use.
Region
Occupied
Vacant as at 30 September 2023
Allocated to a client agency
Unallocated to a client agency
South Metro
19
5
1
East Metro
2
0
0
Great Southern
238
33
5
Southwest
197
28
5
Goldfields
714
75
15
Midwest/Gascoyne
508
69
10
Pilbara
1247
120
43
West Kimberley
744
71
12
Wheatbelt
494
76
17
East Kimberley
356
51
13
As at 30 September 2023, there was a total of 5,168 Government Regional Officer Housing (GROH) properties throughout Western Australia. The utilisation of GROH properties allocated to client agencies is determined by the agency, including who will tenant the property and when they will start their tenancy. Communities facilitates this by undertaking incoming property inspections and working with tenants as required by the client agency.
As at 30 September 2023, 97% of GROH properties are currently occupied or allocated to a client agency for their use. The remaining three percent of properties may be undergoing maintenance or refurbishment or being considered for redevelopment potential based on factors such as age, location and land size.
Over an average 12-month period, up to one third of all GROH portfolio tenancies may turnover due to normal rotation of staff in regional locations, agencies rotating staff on fixed tenure arrangements and staff leave, for example maternity leave for regional teachers or police. When the properties are vacated they undergo varying degrees of maintenance or refurbishment works before the next tenant moves into the property.
Communities routinely assesses its housing stock, including vacant GROH properties. The number of unallocated properties i.e. those that are not allocated to a client agency does not necessarily equate to the number of vacant properties, as GROH properties may be privately leased to non-government organisations, not for profits or members of the public to ensure utilisation. Where appropriate, GROH properties that no longer have client agency demand are considered for use as public housing.
The table below provides a breakdown of occupied and vacant GROH properties by region. Allocated GROH properties may be vacant at a point in time for a number of operational reasons, including the recruitment and deployment of new employees and the need for availability for employees providing relief work. Unallocated vacant properties may be new to the portfolio, undergoing major works or being considered for future use.
Region
Occupied
Vacant as at 30 September 2023
Allocated to a client agency
Unallocated to a client agency
South Metro
19
5
1
East Metro
2
0
0
Great Southern
238
33
5
Southwest
197
28
5
Goldfields
714
75
15
Midwest/Gascoyne
508
69
10
Pilbara
1247
120
43
West Kimberley
744
71
12
Wheatbelt
494
76
17
East Kimberley
356
51
13
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