This needs assessment demonstrates both the scale of unmet demand for Supportive Housing (SH) in Perth and Bunbury and the compelling case for investment. With an estimated 1,326 units required by 2030 to meet current and forecasted need, the report outlines a clear pathway for delivering housing and support that is both socially impactful and economically responsible.
The total government investment required to build and operate these units over a five-year period is approximately $668 million. Ongoing annual operational and service costs are around $63 million per year from 2030 onwards, after being partially offset by tenant contributions (around $10 million per year). However, this investment is also substantially offset by government cost savings of around $48 million per year, due to an estimated benefit-cost ratio of 1.44 for the service delivery component of the program. This means for every dollar spent on service delivery, the government is expected to save $1.44 through reduced use of health, justice, and homelessness systems.
Beyond fiscal savings, the case for SH is strengthened by its social return. The delivery of stable, supported housing measurably improves wellbeing—estimated to deliver almost 1,400 WELLBYs over five years across the target population—and enables individuals to live with dignity, autonomy, and improved health and safety outcomes. The cost per WELLBY outperforms the UK Government’s benchmark for the value of a WELLBY.
SH is a proven, evidence-based model with strong local and international support. Delivering the necessary infrastructure and services in Perth and Bunbury would represent a foundational step in realising the goal of ending chronic homelessness in Western Australia. With coordinated leadership and strategic investment, it is possible to ensure that homelessness becomes rare, brief, and non-recurring.