Sustainable Housing for Artists and Creatives

SHAC’s intention is to establish a housing co-operative to create an inspiring mixed residential and work-space development that makes affordable housing, workshop and office options available to artists on the basis of a creative and sustainable, self managing community. There is no doubt that that a large part of Fremantle’s unique identity and heritage rests on the presence of living and working artists within the city. And has long history (at least over 30 years) of providing space for artists studios; Praxis; Nexus; FotoFreo; Gallerys; etc. Fremantle’s vibrant culture is highly valued by its community and often cited as one of it’s strongest selling points for visitors. Paradoxically, Fremantle is at risk of being a victim of its own success as the artists responsible for this production can no longer afford to live and/or work here! The past five years of rapidly rising property prices and the simultaneous crisis of rental affordability and availability are impacting enormously on Fremantle’s cultural diversity. Given that artists’ average wages puts them firmly in the low to moderate income category, this has also resulted in an unprecedented exodus of Fremantle’s cultural capital in the form of artists and other creatives re-locating to more affordable living situations.