Foundation Housing Welcomes Development Approval for East Fremantle Social Housing Project

July 2, 2026

Foundation Housing has welcomed development approval for the proposed East Street social housing development in East Fremantle, marking a significant milestone in the delivery of much-needed housing for Western Australians experiencing housing insecurity.

Selected by DevelopmentWA as the preferred proponent for the project, Foundation Housing will deliver 34 social housing apartments as part of the East Street development, providing safe and secure homes in a well-connected location close to public transport, employment opportunities, services and community amenities.

The project forms part of DevelopmentWA’s broader program to increase the supply of affordable and social housing, being delivered by Foundation Housing with support from the Federal Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) and the Western Australian Government.

The development application was unanimously approved by the Statutory Planning Committee, with members highly complementary of the project’s architectural design, its contribution to the local streetscape and its strong sustainability outcomes. The development has been designed to achieve an average 7.5-star NatHERS rating, with the latest sustainability assessment indicating the design is currently tracking at an average of 7.9 stars.

Foundation Housing Chief Executive Officer Chris Smith said the approval represented an important step forward in addressing Western Australia’s housing challenges while creating positive outcomes for both future residents and the wider East Fremantle community.

“Access to safe and secure housing changes lives. This approval brings us one step closer to delivering quality homes that will provide stability, opportunity and a strong sense of belonging for future residents.”

“We’re incredibly proud that the development received unanimous approval, with the Committee members recognising the quality of the design and its sustainability credentials. It’s a testament to the collaborative work undertaken by our project team and partners to deliver a development that will sit comfortably within the East Fremantle community while providing much-needed social housing.”

“The demand for affordable and social housing continues to outpace supply across Western Australia. Projects like East Street are critical to ensuring more people have access to housing in locations that connect them to employment, services and community.”

Chris Smith said Foundation Housing was proud to have been selected by DevelopmentWA as the preferred proponent for the project.

“We were honoured to be chosen as preferred proponent and to work alongside our government partners to deliver a project that responds to a critical housing need while creating positive outcomes for the local community.”

“Partnerships are essential to increasing housing supply, and this project demonstrates what can be achieved when government and community housing providers work together with a shared vision.”

Throughout the planning process, Foundation Housing delivered a comprehensive community engagement program designed to inform, educate and involve the East Fremantle community every step of the way. Through community information sessions, stakeholder meetings, project updates and ongoing opportunities for feedback, the organisation worked closely with local residents, businesses and stakeholders to ensure the community remained informed and engaged throughout the development application process.

Chris Smith said community engagement had been central to the project’s success.

“We recognise that successful housing developments are about more than delivering homes – they are about creating places where people belong and communities can thrive.”

“From the outset, our goal has been to work alongside the community to ensure this development is not only successful in delivering much-needed social housing, but successful within the East Fremantle community.”

“Moving beyond consultation to build understanding, trust and inclusive communities has been at the heart of our approach. We have been committed to engaging openly and transparently throughout the process, listening to feedback, sharing information and building greater understanding of the important role social housing plays in creating diverse and connected neighbourhoods.”

“We thank the Town of East Fremantle, local residents, businesses, stakeholders and community members who have engaged with us throughout the journey. Their input has helped shape a project that will provide safe and secure homes while contributing positively to the community for generations to come.”

The East Street development forms part of Foundation Housing’s Evolution Strategic Plan, which includes a commitment to delivering an additional 2,000 homes by 2029 to help address the growing demand for affordable and social housing across Western Australia.

As Western Australia’s largest community housing provider, Foundation Housing currently manages more than 2,000 homes across metropolitan and regional Western Australia, providing housing for around 3,500 Western Australians every night.

Foundation Housing looks forward to progressing the project and continuing to work collaboratively with DevelopmentWA, Federal and State Government partners and the East Fremantle community as the development moves towards construction.

Chris Smith
CEO
Foundation Housing