Defence Housing Australia (DHA) has signed agreements with three Western Australia (WA)-based companies to build 550 new homes in Rockingham, Perth.

The three companies are Parcel Property, Forma Homes and Plunkett Homes.

These deals will provide accommodation for defence personnel and their families near Fleet Base West and HMAS Stirling.

The agreements are a part of DHA's New Builds Volume Leasing Program, an initiative aimed at establishing long-term partnerships with the construction industry to construct new and quality properties in locations with a demand for additional housing for defence members.

The new homes are anticipated to be delivered in Wellard, Baldivis, and Mundijong areas, with additional properties in Kwinana, Lakelands, Port Kennedy, Waikiki, and Madora Bay.

Defence Housing Australia chair Dr Robert Lang said: “DHA is excited to have entered into these agreements with Parcel Property, Forma Homes and Plunkett Homes a first for DHA, which will enable us to scale our housing supply for defence members and provide long-term secure investments for buyers, with DHA as the tenant.

“The New Builds Volume Leasing Program will enable DHA to support the Australian Defence Force housing requirements where accommodation is needed most.”

The contracts follow a period of expressions of interest from the industry to identify participants capable of delivering new properties, whether through their own land, sourcing from the market, or a combination of both.

With further agreements in the pipeline, the initiative is set to provide hundreds more homes over the next five years.

The first batch of dwellings, located in Rockingham, is expected to be completed and ready for occupancy in the 2025-26 timeframe.