Housing waitlist: John Carey blames tight rental market for more than 100 deaths while waiting for housing

John Carey has blamed growing demand due to a tight rental market for figures showing more than 100 people died while waiting years for public housing. Figures revealed in Parliament this week confirmed 102 applicants passed away and were removed from the waitlist in 2024-25, after waiting an average of 147 weeks. In answers tabled in the Legislative Council, the Government confirmed at least one person died after waiting 12 years. The Housing Minister insisted record investment in housing and homelessness is making a difference. “Our Government has invested a record $5.8 billion,” Mr Carey said. “We have added more than 3500 social homes in this time and are thinking outside the box to deliver more housing, including the recent purchase of Fraser Suites. “It is important to note that waitlist numbers include people that have received multiple offers of accommodation and, although adequately housed, remain eligible for public housing. “Rental markets are under pressure across the nation and many people who are already housed in other accommodation seek the security of public housing”. It’s the third straight year, more than 100 applicant deaths were recorded. Greens MP Tim Clifford said it’s more proof social housing needs to be urgently fast-tracked. “Behind every one of these statistics is a human being,” he said. “The Housing Minister can talk about his record as loudly and as often as he likes, but that doesn’t change the fact that under his Government’s watch we’ve seen hundreds of Western Australians lose their lives while waiting for the most basic human right: shelter.”