Fourteen New Maisonette-Style Social Homes Set to Transform Ellenbrook
Ellenbrook—A new chapter in social housing is beginning in the north-eastern suburbs of Perth as construction commences on an innovative development featuring 14 maisonette-style homes. Scheduled to start in July 2025 and ready for occupancy by late 2026, this project forms a key component of the State Government’s ambitious $5.1 billion investment in housing and homelessness measures.
Innovative Design Meets Practicality
The development will consist of seven maisonette dwellings, each offering two separately accessible two-bedroom units—one on the ground floor and one on the first floor. The maisonette design, deriving its name from the French term for “little house,” strikes a balance between the space of a detached house and the efficiency of an apartment. This innovative approach is part of a broader strategy to harness alternative construction methods amid a challenging construction market. Alongside tiny homes, modular construction, and prefabrication, the maisonette model seeks to deliver quality and affordability without compromising build standards.
A Progressive Step in Social Housing
This project is one of nearly 3,000 social homes that have already been delivered since the State Government’s record housing investment began, with an additional 1,000 currently under contract or in the construction phase. Housing and Works Minister John Carey has emphasised that these initiatives are evidence of an unwavering commitment to addressing the social housing crisis. Minister Carey stated, “Our government is doing everything to deliver more social housing across the State, including adopting innovative design and alternative construction methods. We’re not stopping our ambitious program to deliver more than 5,000 new social homes through our record $5.1 billion investment.”
Local Impact in Ellenbrook
Ellenbrook, which has experienced significant population growth in recent years, is poised to benefit from the addition of these new homes. With government plans designating the suburb as an “Activity Centre” under the wider Perth-Peel @3M plan, the influx of social housing is expected to provide stability for vulnerable residents and help alleviate pressure on the increasingly stretched State-wide housing wait list. Local Member for Swan Hills, Michelle Maynard, welcomed the project as “an exciting development for Ellenbrook, bringing much-needed social housing to our community.” The maisonette design, she noted, “provides practical and efficient homes for those in need,” reinforcing the Government’s commitment to accessible, high-quality housing.
Historical Context and Policy Background
This initiative builds on a rich history of social housing projects across Western Australia. Following the economic and social challenges post-pandemic, government programmes such as the Social Housing Economic Recovery Package saw a significant increase in the number of homes available to people on the wait list. Earlier projects tested alternative construction methods, and the maisonette design in Ellenbrook represents the next iteration in innovative housing delivery. These developments are further supported by state-level initiatives such as the Affordable Housing Strategy 2030, which aims to secure a net gain of approximately 7,000 social dwellings over the coming years.
Dale Alcock Projects and the Future of Social Housing
The Ellenbrook social housing project is being delivered by Dale Alcock Projects, a firm with extensive experience in constructing social and disability-friendly accommodation. With over 800 homes delivered recently under their portfolio, Dale Alcock Projects has emerged as a trusted partner in meeting WA’s housing challenges. Their proven track record positions this project as a benchmark not only for quality but also for the innovative use of construction techniques designed to shorten build times and reduce costs without sacrificing robustness or accessibility.
Economic and Environmental Implications
Though modest in size with 14 new homes, the project represents a microcosm of broader economic and environmental benefits. Locally, the construction phase is expected to generate job opportunities, supporting roughly 18 full-time roles according to estimates from industry benchmarks. Additionally, the maisonette design has notable sustainable features; compared to detached single-family homes, these dwellings typically use up to 30% less energy—a significant gain in an era where environmental efficiency is paramount. This aligns with guidelines from state planning bodies that encourage building methods which reduce the overall environmental footprint of new developments.
Addressing Industry Challenges
While the introduction of these innovative maisonette-style homes is widely welcomed, the construction sector continues to face notable challenges. A persistent shortage of skilled labour—a trend noted by state economic analysts and highlighted in recent Building Commission reports—compounds the difficulties of meeting ambitious delivery targets. Furthermore, rising material costs and supply chain issues present ongoing risks to project timelines. Industry experts and advocacy groups have noted that, although projects such as these are steps in the right direction, systemic efforts must be maintained to address the broader shortfall in social housing stock.
Community Response and Future Prospects
Local residents and community leaders view the Ellenbrook project as a positive development in a suburb poised for growth. The infusion of social housing into a rapidly expanding area aims to provide a more inclusive community environment, supporting those who are most vulnerable. As the project progresses through its construction phase and eventually transitions to tenancy, it will offer valuable insights that could inform future developments in both design and policy implementation.
Looking Beyond Ellenbrook
This project, while modest in scale, reflects a broader evolution within the Western Australian approach to social housing. By exploring innovative construction techniques and challenging traditional design paradigms, the State Government is not only expanding the available housing stock—it is also pioneering a model that, if successful, could be replicated in other regions across the State. Comparisons have already been drawn with developments such as the Fremantle Tiny Homes project, which similarly leveraged innovative design to deliver efficient, cost-effective homes. The ongoing evaluation of these projects will likely shape future policy, ensuring that social housing remains responsive to both market challenges and the needs of the community.
A New Milestone for Social Housing in WA
Set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving housing landscape, the Ellenbrook maisonette project stands as a significant milestone in Western Australia’s efforts to expand social housing. By embracing operational innovations alongside creative architectural concepts, the State Government is redefining what it means to build affordable, sustainable and high-quality homes for all West Australians.
For further details on the project and the overall social housing investment, interested readers can refer to the State Budget Paper No2 available from the Treasury ([Treasury WA Budget Paper No2](https://www.treasury.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-05/2024-25-wa-budget-paper-no2.pdf)) and other official publications from the Department of Planning and Lands.
As Ellenbrook looks ahead to a future enriched by these new maisonette homes, the commitment to innovative, affordable social housing continues to offer hope and tangible support to vulnerable communities ensuring a more inclusive path forward for Western Australia.
