Not one room available in WA for those on JobSeeker, youth allowance or disability pension
Western Australia's affordable housing crisis has hit a grim new low, with a new analysis of rentals in the state suggesting anyone on JobSeeker, youth allowance or the disability pension was totally locked out of every single private rental in the state.
Anglicare WA's Rental Affordability Snapshot, released on Wednesday, looked at the 3523 private rentals available on March 15 and 16 and found the median rental cost was up 5 per cent from last year to $680 per week.
Of these houses, there were none affordable for people living with government income support – including single rooms.
There were four affordable listings for a couple with two children with income support, but only one for single parents.
West Australians on aged pensions only had seven properties in their price range.
For single West Australians on the minimum wage, there were only 14 affordable rentals and 42 that were affordable for a single parent with two children.
Anglicare considers a property 'affordable' if it requires less than 30 per cent of a household income.
Paying more than that is considered as being in household stress, and spending more than 50 per cent of a household's income on housing is considered severe housing stress.
The snapshot found the lower-priced rentals were mostly for single rooms in share houses, but even those were pricey, ranging from $200 to $450 per week.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
Editorial: There are simply not enough people to do all the jobs WA's economy needs to fill
It's a staggering list — 62 professions in WA have been experiencing a skills shortage for at least the past four years. The Jobs and Skills Australia figures reflect what businesses for some time have been saying — and what many West Australians have been experiencing: there are simply not enough people to do all the jobs our economy needs doing. WA's underemployment rate — a measure of people who are working but would like more hours — has consistently been among the lowest of all States for several years, despite us having the strongest population growth for the past two years. Premier Roger Cook has rightly been concerned. Having written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese outlining 10 key priorities for WA, he's urged his Federal counterparts to excuse WA from broad-brush national rules clamping down on international migration, particularly affecting students. Though critics of migration like to blame it for myriad issues, the simple fact of the matter is WA has not experienced the same problems as Eastern States. International education is a $3.6 billion contributor to the State's economy, but some providers are on their knees, with enrolments plunging after visa fees surged. The result for ordinary West Australians? Fewer people doing the jobs we need done, particularly in the hospitality sector, but fewer people studying in WA and potentially staying, adding to the State's rich culture and making valuable contributions. Aged care is another critical sector facing worker shortages, and with an ageing population, demand is set to keep climbing. Australia — particularly WA — does not have enough people working to service its population. As StudyWest chief executive Derryn Belford has told The Sunday Times: 'If we didn't have international students there are whole sectors that would have no workers.' Western Australia desperately needs the Federal Government to exempt it from blanket national rules restricting international student numbers — and more support on migration caps. It's a blatant impediment to our economy, restricting employers and in turn a handbrake on consumers. Yes, the State is experiencing a housing shortage. But it's not been caused by international students. The State Government has pushed the construction of dedicated student housing, particularly in the CBD, and these go some way to help. And for skilled workers, many companies have shown ingenious solutions to accommodating staff — particularly in regional areas. Construction alone expects to need up to 10,000 more workers every year. If our borders are not opened, where are they to come from? Housing Industry Association WA executive director Michael McGowan expects about three-quarters of the new workforce would need to come through apprenticeships. The rest need to be skilled migrants who can start immediately. By carving our State out of a blunt national rule, the Government would prove it actually 'gets' WA and allow our State to keep moving forward.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- News.com.au
'Disheartening': post-pandemic housing market leaving buyers in the lurch
When partners Brayden Condon and Rebecca Treby started looking for their first home in December last year, they didn't foresee all the road blocks they'd find in today's market. 'The last couple of months, I would say have been slightly disheartening,' Mr Condon said. 'I've had friends before who have looked for two or three months to find their home. I don't think that's gonna be us.' Mr Condon's search is at a time when Queensland households need to earn nearly $100,000 more a year to afford a place, compared to pre-pandemic levels. Research conduced by Canstar showed the annual income needed for a median-priced house in Greater Brisbane went up by $99,234 from March 2020, going from $72,628 to $171,862. Across Australia, this increase was only beaten out by Sydney's rising house rates. Mr Condon, 33, said he had several friends jumping into the housing market when he was younger, while the window for buying was a little less narrow. 'I would have loved to get into the market 10 years ago,' he said. 'I don't see it being something that somebody in their early 20s would be able to do now.' While Mr Condon and Ms Treby said they were secure in their finances, Mr Condon said reasonably priced homes were becoming rare in 2025's competitive market. 'The fact that we're looking at homes that are three bedroom, 1 bathroom in Wynnum West at the $1.2m – $1.3m mark? That sort of price point five years ago was unfathomable in that area,' he said. 'We've gotta be reaching a point where it can't go any further, because the affordability of it is just not going to be there.' Place Wynnum Manly agent Karen Chappell said she was often floored to see how much people were prepared to pay when racing to get a house in 2025. 'I think it is shocking,' she said. 'I'm someone who's been around the block several times … [I'm] seeing properties that I would have sold 6 years ago that I'm selling now, that have sometimes doubled or even tripled in price.' Ms Chappell added that despite financial troubles, the lowering interest rates had added some positivity back into the market. 'It's given us some hope,' she said. 'We've seen a lot of happier face going around open homes recently … they're going, 'We can go back to our property journey.'' Despite adversity, Mr Condon said he and his partner's finances were in order, and would keep at it until he and Ms Treby found their first home. 'I'm optimistic,' he said. 'I'm pretty confident that we'll be able to buy something.'
West Australian
4 days ago
- West Australian
New wardrobe service opens in Karratha for locals doing it tough
A permanent wardrobe service has launched in Karratha, providing free new clothing to people experiencing hardship. Through Anglicare WA's Thread Together initiative, the service allows people to choose clothes that suit their needs and personal style, helping restore a sense of dignity and confidence during challenging times. The initiative is part of a broader rollout across the North West, with mobile wardrobes due to launch in Port Hedland, Broome, and Kununurra. Funded by a $20,000 Horizon Power Community Partnership grant, the program has also received support from Horizon Power volunteers, who assisted with transport and assembly of the wardrobe. Anglicare WA chief executive Mark Glasson said while the service had been growing in demand and delivery in Perth, the partnership would allow it to expand into the Pilbara and Kimberley, supporting more West Australians doing it tough. 'More people than ever before are going without suitable clothes, prescription medicines and other essential items, as they have no income left after paying for accommodation, bills and food,' he said. 'An increasing number of women and children have also needed the support of services like Thread Together to start over after escaping family and domestic violence. 'The housing crisis and cost-of-living continues to affect people right across the State, but we know these issues are exacerbated in WA's regions, particularly in the Pilbara and Kimberley. 'People in need deserve the dignity and choice of new clothing, without judgment.' Referrals for the program can be made through a range of local community and social services, including Anglicare WA and headspace.
