Families in Perth’s south east are being priced out of suburbs that were once considered affordable, as new figures show rent increases of more than 150 percent in areas such as Armadale, Southern River and Thornlie.
A recent report by Make Renting Fair WA found that some of the steepest rent increases in the state have occurred in Perth’s south east, where median rents have jumped from under $300 per week in 2021 to well above $600.
Make Renting Fair WA spokesperson Alice Pennycott said the scale of the increases was reshaping entire communities.
“The report shows that some of the steepest rent increases in the state have occurred in Perth’s south east,” she said. “These electorates were traditionally among Perth’s most affordable areas, but now they’ve crossed well into the $600 plus range.”
“Rents in these areas are ju7mping up to 152 percent more per week, with renters now facing prices that were once associated with areas with much higher incomes. These rents are reshaping communities and pricing out families and essential workers.”
Ms Pennycott said as renters are pushed further out of the city, demand shifts into suburbs that were once seen as affordable, driving prices up even faster.
“The steepest increases have occurred in areas that were traditionally considered the most affordable,” she said. As renter are being priced further out of the city, they look to more affordable suburbs, while landlords see these suburbs as growth areas.
“Without rent caps, there’s nothing to prevent landlords from dramatically increasing rents beyond what people can afford. Families aren’t being priced out of individual homes but entire communities.”
Community support services say the impact is already being felt on the ground.
Mission Australia Regional Leader Elise Jorgensen told the Examiner that the demand for emergency relief in the region had risen sharply.
“We are continuing to see an alarming increase in people reaching out to our Emergency Relief program,” she said. “Recent funding cuts mean our ability to help those people has been drastically impacted.
“Rising rents and costs of living is pushing people into homelessness. People should never have to choose between paying rent or eating.”
Ms Jorgensen said Mission Australia recently assisted an 81-year-old woman whose rent kept increasing.
“We recently helped an 81-year-old woman with her bills, rent and medical costs as her rent continued to increase,” she said. “In the end, she had to move house and was only days away from homelessness, until we were able to find her a rental in another area.
“We need urgent action from our leaders to create more social and affordable housing and rental options.”
Many rentals see the pressure very stressful, for instance, Debby York, who lives with disability, said she was struggling to find an affordable place to live after her landlord decided to sell.
“How do they expect someone on a disability pension to be able to afford the current rent price for a two-bedroom unit,” she said.
“I am house-hunting as the owner is selling in the very near future.”
“I am not able to share accommodation due to medical reasons. It’s a very stressful time and I feel for all the others out there in the same situation.”
Ms Pennycott sad Make Renting Fair WA was hearing similar stories from renters across the state.
“We’re hearing similar stories from renters, with many saying they’ve been forced to leave a rental due to price increases,” she said. “Some report their rent almost tripling in just a few years, while others say they skip meals or take extra work just to get by.
“Service providers are also reporting more renters are presenting for food relief, emergency assistance and homelessness services.”
She said urgent reform was needed to prevent further harm.
“This is a critical situation affecting thousands of people across WA,” Ms Pennyco0tt said. “When families are spending the majority of their income just to keep a roof over their heads, they have less money for everything else and are being forced to make impossible choices.
“Without urgent reform, we will continue to see rising homelessness, worsening household debt and long-term damage to our communities.”
Southern River MLA Terry Healy said the State Government was investing heavily in the housing supply and tenant support.
According to him, the Cook Government is rolling out a $5.8 billion housing investment and has added more than 3800 social homes since 2021.
Locally, Mr Healy said the State Government had worked with the Federal Government to secure a builder for a new 65 apartment complex near Kelmscott Train Station, including 14 social homes and 51 affordable rentals.
He said the Rental Relief Program had also been extended and had helped more than 3700 households avoid eviction.
Mr Healy added that he is proud to be part of “a government that has introduced stronger rights and protections for Western Australian tenants that resulted in fewer rent increases, allowed pets and minor modifications in most rentals as well as a new process for resolving disputes about bond release without the need to go to the Magistrates Court.”
According to him, “Recommendations for a second phase of reforms are expected to be finalised for consideration soon.”
