ShelterWA urges Government to fork out to make 20,000 affordable rentals available to ease homeless crisis

The WA homeless crisis has got even more depressing with record numbers sleeping rough, prompting calls for a $2 billion scheme to add 20,000 affordable rentals to the property system.

ShelterWA wants the State Government to to focus its Budget and GST windfall on fixing homeless crisis.

Its Budget submission released on Wednesday suggests three option for an affordable housing scheme, including a package worth $476 million to $1.9 billion over 10 years to add 20,000 affordable homes to the market.

Modelling based on a National Rental Affordability Scheme, which is due to expire in three and a half years, shows a State-based version would provide homes at only 80 per cent market rate.

Under the ShelterWA proposal, landlords at affordable properties — including developers and community housing providers — would get top-up rent from the State Government.

The charity is also suggesting a $25 million annual payment or a $1.7 billion package for similar schemes. This cost would also maintain the dwellings currently in Federal Government NRAS scheme.

ShelterWA chief executive Kath Snell said the crisis had become so overwhelming that in Perth, only four in 10 people were getting any kind of assistance.

And of those, only 18 were permanently housed in February.

The By-Name List, which tracks five areas — Perth, Geraldton, Bunbury, Mandurah and Rockingham — counted a record 1889 people experiencing homelessness in February 2024, up from 1373 two years ago.

The list, compiled by a group called Advance to Zero, found the total number of rough sleepers in these areas has passed the 1000 mark for the first time, with a total of 1029 people sleeping on the streets, exceeding last month’s record of 947 and up from 655 two years ago.

The list tracks only five areas, with the 2021 Census showing 9729 people experienced homelessness across the entire State, including a record number of 2315 rough sleepers.

“WA’s housing crisis is breaking all the wrong records but we have an incredible opportunity to solve it with this Budget,” Ms Snell said.

“After five years of large surpluses and a GST windfall, the Government must centre this year’s Budget on housing and homelessness.”

ShelterWA’s first priority is for $6 million to be spent over four years to build the capacity of community housing, as well as the transfer of 2000 Government homes to community housing providers.

David Pearson, executive officer of the WA Alliance to End Homelessness, said it was a shocking and heartbreaking state of affairs for a wealthy State like WA.

“Having a roof over your head is a basic human need and thousands of people across our prosperous state are living in their cars, tents or couch surfing because they cannot find a place to call home,” he said.

“The number of people sleeping rough is as shocking as it is heartbreaking.

“But we know we can solve this. We’re seeing great results in communities like Geraldton and Mandurah, where a dedicated outreach, housing and collaboration has reduced the rough sleeping numbers in recent months.

“I’ve also seen first hand how cities like Glasgow have managed to effectively end rough sleeping through dedicated effort.

“Homelessness is solvable, but it takes leadership and continued investment, we need funding for additional full time staff to expand the Advance to Zero framework across more WA communities to help us demonstrate this”.

Ms Snell said a record number of WA households are experiencing housing stress, homelessness and living in overcrowded conditions.

“Essential workers like nurses, school teachers and construction workers can only afford to rent one per cent of rentals and are paying up to 70 per cent of their income on rent,” she said.

“The number of desperate people turning up at homelessness services has exploded, forcing overwhelmed staff to decide who to help and who to turn away.

“Now is the time to use our incredibly strong budget position to invest in the prosperity of all West Australians.

“We have the means and the know-how to solve this crisis, to the benefit of everyone who is proud to call WA home.

“The government’s target to end rough sleeping by 2025 is achievable - but only if we urgently invest more in rapid accommodation solutions and homelessness services.”