WESTERN Australia has a critical demand for 5,000 social homes each year, to reach the future estimated need for 85,000 homes by 2041.
Ahead of the fast approaching state election, Shelter WA is calling on all parties to commit to injecting these social housing numbers to WA housing stock, as those in need only climbs.
Just this week, a new report from Impact Economics, found three million Australians are now at risk of homelessness, with 83% of homelessness services reporting to being unable to answer calls from those in need at various times.
With WA alone seeing a 77% increase in people at risk of homelessness since 2016, after a 23.1% increase in rental stress since the 2021 census.
“The housing crisis in WA is at a breaking point. Without bold, urgent action, we will see many more Western Australians without a safe, decent, affordable place to call home,” said Kath Snell, CEO at Shelter WA.
“WA faces a critical shortage of homes that are affordable. With more than 20,000 households on the social housing waitlist, plus more and more people priced out of the private rental market this is leaving every electorate desperately short of supply to meet demand. No matter where you’re living and voting, we need hundreds of additional social and affordable homes in every state electorate.”
Analysis from Shelter WA reveals Mandurah as the state electorate most in need for more social and affordable housing, requiring 188 additional homes annually.
While Armadale, Butler and Mirrabooka each need 150 additional social and affordable homes every year, with Bunbury, Dawesville and Kimberley requiring at least 100 each.
Shelter WA is also urging the government reach these goals through building, converting or buying social and affordable housing.
As well as requiring all new multi-residential private developments in metro areas include 10% social and affordable homes at a minimum.
While also making half of all housing built on government land social and affordable stock.
“Setting evidence-based targets for social and affordable housing is a crucial step towards making homes available to those in need, in the areas we need, right across WA,” added Snell.
“Setting these targets will hopefully help to boost greater commitment and unlock more innovative approaches to the delivery of social and affordable housing in WA.”
Shelter WA is also proposing the government establish a WA Affordable Rental Housing Scheme to incentivise and deliver new affordable rental supply.
This on top of a WA Housing Future Fund to see a portion of the state’s surplus permanently invested in social and affordable housing.
The peak body’s election priorities also cover relieving cost of living stressors for vulnerable people through measures such as rent stabilisation and standards for all rentals homes.
With a recent AHURI report, finding renting and lifelong renters are on the rise in all capital cities and across almost all age brackets.
Ending homelessness was also listed, through measures including conversions of vacant buildings for supported accommodation, abolish no grounds evictions, expand the by name list and expand successful services like Youth Foyers and the supportive landlord program
In addition to boosting capacity for homelessness and community housing sectors; closing the gap for housing through the introduction of a WA First Nations housing peak body, expedite and expand the completion of First Nations short-stay accommodation and introduce a statewide specialist First Nations tenancy support program; and making all new homes accessible through national standards.
“We’re calling on all parties to commit to a social and affordable housing target of at least 5,000 homes every year. It must be underpinned by substantial investment that matches the reality of need in our neighbourhoods,” said Snell.
“By committing to evidence-based targets and policies, the government can create a future where every Western Australian has access to safe and affordable housing. Our communities can’t afford to wait. The status quo isn’t keeping pace with the crisis we’re in.”
