The Shire of Broome has welcomed the State Government’s $25 million investment into regional housing projects as it continues to look for solutions to the housing crisis on a local level.
A shire spokesperson said the shire was currently reviewing the Regional Housing Support Fund grant guidelines and exploring potential opportunities.
“The shire welcomes the State Government’s funding announcement as a positive step towards addressing regional housing challenges,” they said.
“In Broome, the high cost of construction compared to returns has been a major barrier to new multi-dwelling housing, so access to targeted funding is vital to bridging that gap.”
Key worker housing, community housing and residential subdivisions are the target of the fund which provides grants of up to $5m to local governments, community housing providers, developers and landowners.
Housing and Works Minister John Carey said the fund would help with costs and get regional housing projects off the ground quicker.
“We know that regional housing projects often face significant barriers, from high construction costs to infrastructure gaps, and this fund is about helping to reduce these obstacles to get homes built where they are needed most,” he said.
“By supporting local governments, community housing providers and developers, we’re helping to deliver housing that supports communities and local workforces.”
Housing and residential lot development, including construction, site preparation, roadworks, and essential infrastructure such as water, wastewater, electricity, and telecommunications are all eligible for funding under the scheme but projects must comprise a minimum of three residential dwellings or lots.
In the case of dwellings, these may span multiple lots, provided they are delivered as part of a single co-ordinated package while for subdivisions, proposed lots must be on a single adjoining site.
With the December 19 deadline for applications looming, the Shire of Broome spokesperson said it was weighing its options.
“While the December 19 deadline is tight, it’s consistent with the urgency of addressing the housing crisis,” they said.
“It’s encouraging to see a program that supports actual housing construction, rather than just subdivision or service works.”
The $25m Regional Housing Support Fund was launched on October 28.
According to the Domain September Quarter Rent Report 2025, median rental prices in Broome have gone up 14.3 per cent in the past 12 months, increasing the average price from $1050 to $1200 per week.
Broome has the third-highest annual rental growth in regional local governments by year, and the second-highest median rental increase.
Renting a home in Broome now costs nearly twice as much as it would in Melbourne ($580), underscoring the demand for housing and lack of supply.
