New figures show Perth has become one of the most unaffordable cities for renters, second only to Adelaide, prompting Shelter WA to call on the next federal government to deliver more housing funding for the state.
CoreLogic data released last week reveals Perth renters are paying an average of 33.2 per cent of their income on rent, above the 30 per cent threshold that defines housing stress.
But in our local electorates, that number is even more severe, with households in Bullwinkel and Burt paying on average 34.2 and 34.6 percent respectively, and households in Canning paying an average of 36.8 percent of their income on rent.
CoreLogic’s analysis also shows these federal electorates have faced significant increases in rent since the pandemic, with rents jumping by 61.3 percent in Bullwinkel, 65 percent in Canning, and a shocking 71.2 percent in Burt.
“These figures reinforce what Shelter WA and other advocates have been saying: leaders of the major parties must not forget renters in next week’s federal election,” CEO of Shelter WA Kath Snell said.
“Perth used to be Australia’s most affordable capital city, but in just a few years we’ve watched as affordability has fallen off a cliff.
“Tens of thousands of West Australians are being priced out of safe, stable homes. We’re seeing families facing unprecedented pressure caused by skyrocketing rents, years-long waitlists for social housing and unsafe living conditions.
“With an estimated 53,800 WA households experiencing homelessness, housing stress or living in overcrowded homes, it’s clear we need immediate and substantial action.
“Current policy approaches aren’t doing enough to address the underlying issues affecting housing affordability. The scale of the crisis requires bold government intervention to address the imbalance of supply and demand.”
Shelter WA is calling on the next federal government to invest more funding for additional social and affordable homes and do more to protect renters. That includes quadrupling the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF), implementing national minimum rental standards, and introducing mandatory inclusionary zoning for new builds.
“The WA Government can’t solve our state’s housing crisis alone, we need the federal government to deliver bold and ambitious solutions as well,” Ms Snell said.
“WA desperately needs more social and affordable housing, and better protections for renters — the federal government absolutely has a role to play in making this happen.”
