MLC urges action over high rent

A new study shows housing affordability in the region is getting worse and the State Government must act to tackle the issue, according to South West MLC Adele Farina.

Ms Farina said the recent annual report released by Anglicare, called Rental Affordability Snapshot, found housing in Bunbury to be seriously unaffordable.

Housing Minister Bill Marmion said the results reflected ongoing pressure on low-income families for affordable housing.

Ms Farina said the median weekly rent had dropped in Perth, but in the South West region it had increased, growing from $350 to $360 a week. She said this showed the State Government was failing to address housing affordability.

“Across the south of WA average rental prices went down this year by three per cent, but in the South West region it increased by three per cent, that’s a six per cent differential, that is a clear indication greater investment in affordable housing is needed in the South West, ” she said.

“The report shows the housing mix available in the South West doesn’t meet housing needs, with less than one per cent of available rental properties being suitable and affordable for single people in the region, a distinction which includes single parents, single pensioners and single people earning the minimum wage.

“It is unacceptable that a single person working full-time in the South West is unable to afford to rent a suitable home.”

Mr Marmion said the rent increases quoted were based on Census data from 2006 and 2011, a time of high population growth, and consequently an increased demand for housing.

“This is why the Liberal-National Government is implementing the Opening Doors to Affordable Housing Strategy, now almost three years into its 10-year program — which has delivered 12,000 of its 20,000 target, ” he said.