Our History

1986

Perth Inner City Housing Association (PICHA) emerges from the housing sub-committee of Perth Inner City Helping Agencies in response to the rapid loss of affordable housing in the inner city. 

1992

Perth Inner City Housing begins managing 166 Aberdeen Street, providing single person accommodation for those eligible for public housing tenancy. 

2003

Perth Inner City Housing Association (Northbridge), the Eastern Metro Community Housing Association (Midland) and Northside Housing Association (Joondalup) decide to merge their services into a single new company to be established in 2005.

2004

Perth Inner City Housing, the Eastern Metro Community Housing Association and Northside Housing Association lodge a submission for Key Housing Provider status with the WA Department of Housing and Works.  

2005

• Perth Inner City Housing manages a total of 259 tenancies.
• Eastern Metropolitan manages close to 100 rental properties.
• Northside Housing Association manages a range of single detached dwellings with a smaller number of medium density developments.
• Perth Inner City Housing, the Eastern Metro Community Housing Association and Northside Housing Association merge and Foundation Housing is registered as a company limited by guarantee with Key Housing Provider status.

2006

• The Department of Housing and Works confirmed approval of a $42 million capital works program for Foundation Housing to be implemented over three years. 
• Foundation Housing opens its doors at 131 Brisbane Street in Northbridge with a respectable portfolio of 550 housing units.
• First WA CHP to be a registered Growth provider.
• $42mil capital works program approved by state government. 340 Units of accommodation under management.

2009

• Established offices in Pilbara (South Hedland) and Kimberley (Broome)
• Completed an extensive refurbishment of Broome Motel as a lodge and tenancies.

2010

• Foundation Housing successfully bid to the State Government for the transfer of $90m worth of properties constructed under the Nation Building program. 
• Provided 300 new households increasing the total number of managed tenancies to more than 1200.

2011

• Foundry Road development completed for $10 million, providing 29 social housing units.
• Midland office opens on Foundry Road.
• Asset transfer of over 300 homes under Community Housing Agreement (CHA) in exchange for a commitment to build 112 additional homes worth $90mil.

2012

• Wright Street Highgate refurbishment completed for $2 million, providing 15 social housing units.
• Department of Housing awards Pilbara 125 contract to manage 125 homes for key service workers in South Hedland.
• Newcastle Street Lodge completed for $16 million, delivering 62 mixed-use units of accommodation.

2013

• Joondalup office opens.
• The refurbishment of 192 lodging units at Hampton Road Lodge in Fremantle is completed.

2014

• Foyer Oxford in Leederville completed for $23 million, providing 98 units of youth accommodation.
• Broome North homes completed for $8 million, providing 30 affordable housing homes.

2015

Foyer Oxford wins Australasian Housing Institute's excellence award for ‘Leading Housing Development Project’, the City of Vincent Building Design Excellence Award and the WA Premier’s award in the ‘Strengthening Families and Community’ category. 

2016

• New branding and website launched.
• Head office moves to 297 Vincent Street, Leederville 
• 67-69 Bennett Street, East Perth completed for $26 million, providing 70 lodging units.
• Banksia Grove complex completed for $4.2 million, providing 14 homes for families and aged tenants.

2017

‘Home for Carers’ is Winner of WA Australian Housing Institute Leading Innovation Award.

2018

Foundation Housing achieves National Tier One Community Housing Provider accreditation. 

2019

• Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan launched. 
• Chris Smith is appointed as CEO.

2020

• Foundation Housing is registered as a Specialist Disability Accommodation provider.
• Foundation Housing Scholarship Program for tenants launched. 

2021

• Foundation Housing begins tenancy and property management services for Hedland Aboriginal Home Ownership Program. 
• ‘Elevate by Foundation Housing’ was established, providing 98 affordable properties across metropolitan Perth.

2022

• Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) at 7A and 7B Carman Way, Bassendean is completed for $1.6 million, providing 6 units of accommodation.
• Elevate wins the Australian Housing Institute (AHI) Leading Innovator Award.

2023

• Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan is launched.
• 2,200 homes and 3,500 tenancies managed.
• 7A and 7B Carman Way wins the Urban Development Institute of WA’s Judge’s Award.
• Operations Department is announced as the Australasian winner of the AHI Excellence in Social Housing award.