❓ WA parliamentary question regarding social housing stock levels, including demolitions, constructions, and net change since 2017. The answer includes figures and criticises the previous government's handling of social housing.
AnsweredQoN 1480Legislative Council
Asked
14 April 2026
Member
Portfolio
Planning and Lands; Housing and Works; Health Infrastructure
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to WA social housing stock levels, and I ask:(a) how many social housing dwellings have been demolished since 2017;(b) how many have been constructed; and(c) what is the net change in social housing stock?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
14 May 2026
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Planning and Lands; Housing and Works; Health Infrastructure
Response time
6 days
a) Social housing may be removed from stock for a number of reasons. The State Government remains committed to increasing and maintaining the supply of social housing across Western Australia and has seen historical low disposals and sales, many of which were to tenants to support them in their journey into home ownership.
Homes may be considered for redevelopment or demolished for a number of reasons including, urban and regional renewal to help revitalise communities; natural hazards such as fire or flooding; intentional or accidental damage, resulting in the property no longer being fit for purpose and or when they are no longer viable to repair.
The State Government inherited significantly ageing and inappropriate public housing stock that had not been maintained or refurbished and was in poor condition, due to the mismanagement of the previous Liberal–National Government.
Under the former Liberal–National government, many hundreds of social homes that counted towards their social housing numbers lay vacant and derelict with no plans to redevelop them, including over 160 uninhabitable apartments in Brownlie Towers alone.
There has been significant work undertaken under this State Government to prioritise the redevelopment of large-scale projects that were neglected for years including North Beach, Subiaco East, Bentley and Stirling Towers.
From 1 July 2017 to 31 March 2026 – 1,527 social housing dwellings were demolished where they were beyond repair, damaged by fire or redeveloped.
b) Since 1 July 2021 to May 2026 – over 4,062 social and affordable homes have been added.
c) As at 31 March 2026, there are 45,520 social housing properties statewide. This is a nearly 4% net increase.
Homes may be considered for redevelopment or demolished for a number of reasons including, urban and regional renewal to help revitalise communities; natural hazards such as fire or flooding; intentional or accidental damage, resulting in the property no longer being fit for purpose and or when they are no longer viable to repair.
The State Government inherited significantly ageing and inappropriate public housing stock that had not been maintained or refurbished and was in poor condition, due to the mismanagement of the previous Liberal–National Government.
Under the former Liberal–National government, many hundreds of social homes that counted towards their social housing numbers lay vacant and derelict with no plans to redevelop them, including over 160 uninhabitable apartments in Brownlie Towers alone.
There has been significant work undertaken under this State Government to prioritise the redevelopment of large-scale projects that were neglected for years including North Beach, Subiaco East, Bentley and Stirling Towers.
From 1 July 2017 to 31 March 2026 – 1,527 social housing dwellings were demolished where they were beyond repair, damaged by fire or redeveloped.
b) Since 1 July 2021 to May 2026 – over 4,062 social and affordable homes have been added.
c) As at 31 March 2026, there are 45,520 social housing properties statewide. This is a nearly 4% net increase.
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