Essential workers are locked out of rentals, but Labor says WA is ‘being bold’ in housing

3 hours ago 3

Housing Minister John Carey has defended his government’s efforts in boosting housing supply in the state as criticism heats up over missed home building targets while a new report paints a bleak picture for essential workers looking for rentals.

The latest Anglicare rental affordability report on essential workers shows early childhood educators and hospitality workers could only afford less than 1 per cent – or 16 – of rentals currently available in Perth.

The report also found higher-earning essential workers like ambulance officers, firefighters and school teachers could only access 2 per cent of available rentals.

Anglicare wants an annual 6 per cent housing target, but Carey said the construction market remained strained – particularly in medium and high-density housing, which are the types of homes best placed to address affordability.

“I need to make this point where the demand is in apartments ... of course, the market’s not producing it, we are, but with all medium to high density projects, it does take time,” he said.

Carey said his government was being bold, citing the recent purchase of the Fraser Suites Hotel for conversion to social and affordable housing.

“I was called a communist and attacked. I mean, we are really going outside the box, respectfully, to do big, bold things,” he said.

“It’s all about supply. We all know that, but there is a recognition of market failure in apartments for affordable rentals, and that’s why the state is really focused on that.”

The opposition raised a motion in parliament on Wednesday condemning the Cook government for the housing crisis after Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealed West Australians were waiting more than a year to get the keys to their homes.

The statistics showed WA fell about 3000 homes short of its National Housing Accord target of 25,940 houses to be built annually, however, that figure was up 25 per cent compared to previous years.

Housing completions had dropped by about 300 homes from the June quarter compared to March, which Carey blamed on winter.

Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas linked the state’s housing woes to the government’s pursuit of Metronet.

“Had they turned their attention to housing, we wouldn’t be in this critical housing supply shortage that we find ourselves in, and the state government has to wear it,” Zempilas said.

“They prioritised Metronet. They did it, and as a result, housing suffered, and now the entire state is wearing it.

“What is the point of having the most prosperous state in the country if we can’t provide the basics for our citizens and essential workers?”

Master Builders WA chief executive Matt Moran said the building and construction industry was ready to deliver, but government needed to hand them the tools to boost productivity.

“We appreciate the reforms already done and underway by the state government to boost housing supply, but we need more urgency if we are to build the homes our community so desperately needs,” he said.

“The skills shortage is the biggest issue we face. We need more boots on the ground and more skilled workers in our sector.”

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