❓ Hon Steve Martin asked about the number of public housing waitlist applications including children under 18, and the total number of children on the waitlist, for specific months. The Minister provided the requested data for applications with children but stated the second question was unclear.
AnsweredQoN 1316Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to the public housing waitlist and I ask, for the following months, how many applications on the public housing waitlist included a child or children under the age of 18: (a) November 2021; (b) December 2021; (c) January 2022; (d) February 2022; (e) March 2022; (f) April 2022; (g) May 2022; (h) June 2022; (i) July 2022; (j) August 2022; (k) September 2022; (l) October 2022; (m) November 2022; (n) December 2022; (o) January 2023; and (p) February 2023? (2) For the months in (1), how many individuals under the age of 18 were on the public housing waitlist?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
9 May 2023
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Housing
Response time
6 days
(1)
The Department of Communities provides multiple pathways, including public rental housing, to those unable to obtain adequate and appropriate housing through the private sector. It should be noted that most applicants have a roof over their head while they wait to be housed.
A tight private rental market will reflect an increase in the number of applications for social housing. Many people who may be otherwise housed, may seek the safety net of public housing when there is significant pressure in the private rental market. Rental vacancy rates have tightened across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly impacting the housing market. The State Government continues to accelerate social housing delivery through a diverse range of reforms including the modular build, timber frame, and spot purchasing programs.
Where children are involved, Communities provides additional supports for applicants on the public housing waitlist. Where it is deemed appropriate, Communities has processes which ensure that Child Protection and Family Support officers are engaged where it is deemed appropriate to ensure the welfare of any children who may be on a public waitlist application. Children who appear on an application may not be residing with the applicant and may be otherwise appropriately housed with other family members or guardians.
As at 28 February 2023, there were 5,922 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,745 people.
As at 31 January 2023, there were 5,899 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,698 people.
As at 31 December 2022, there were 5,990 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,784 people.
As at 30 November 2022, there were 5,981 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,835 people.
As at 31 October 2022, there were 5,888 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,722 people.
As at 30 September 2022, there were 5,823 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,574 people.
As at 31 August 2022, there were 5,787 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,494 people.
As at 31 July 2022, there were 5,770 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,487 people.
As at 30 June 2022, there were 5,752 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,461 people.
As at 31 May 2022, there were 5,715 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,372 people.
As at 30 April 2022, there were 5,669 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,260 people.
As at 31 March 2022, there were 5,626 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,173 people.
As at 28 February 2022, there were 5,553 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,077 people.
As at 31 January 2022, there were 5,428 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 10,832 people.
As at 31 December 2021, there were 5,388 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 10,781 people.
As at 30 November 2021, there were 5,331 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 10,706 people.
(2)
It is unclear what the Honourable member is asking. If the Honourable Member has a more specific question, the Minister will endeavour to provide an answer. Data is captured at a point in time and the Department of Communities is unable to provide a cumulative figure.
The Department of Communities provides multiple pathways, including public rental housing, to those unable to obtain adequate and appropriate housing through the private sector. It should be noted that most applicants have a roof over their head while they wait to be housed.
A tight private rental market will reflect an increase in the number of applications for social housing. Many people who may be otherwise housed, may seek the safety net of public housing when there is significant pressure in the private rental market. Rental vacancy rates have tightened across the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly impacting the housing market. The State Government continues to accelerate social housing delivery through a diverse range of reforms including the modular build, timber frame, and spot purchasing programs.
Where children are involved, Communities provides additional supports for applicants on the public housing waitlist. Where it is deemed appropriate, Communities has processes which ensure that Child Protection and Family Support officers are engaged where it is deemed appropriate to ensure the welfare of any children who may be on a public waitlist application. Children who appear on an application may not be residing with the applicant and may be otherwise appropriately housed with other family members or guardians.
As at 28 February 2023, there were 5,922 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,745 people.
As at 31 January 2023, there were 5,899 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,698 people.
As at 31 December 2022, there were 5,990 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,784 people.
As at 30 November 2022, there were 5,981 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,835 people.
As at 31 October 2022, there were 5,888 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,722 people.
As at 30 September 2022, there were 5,823 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,574 people.
As at 31 August 2022, there were 5,787 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,494 people.
As at 31 July 2022, there were 5,770 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,487 people.
As at 30 June 2022, there were 5,752 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,461 people.
As at 31 May 2022, there were 5,715 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,372 people.
As at 30 April 2022, there were 5,669 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,260 people.
As at 31 March 2022, there were 5,626 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,173 people.
As at 28 February 2022, there were 5,553 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 11,077 people.
As at 31 January 2022, there were 5,428 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 10,832 people.
As at 31 December 2021, there were 5,388 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 10,781 people.
As at 30 November 2021, there were 5,331 applications with at least one child householder on the public housing wait list, representing 10,706 people.
(2)
It is unclear what the Honourable member is asking. If the Honourable Member has a more specific question, the Minister will endeavour to provide an answer. Data is captured at a point in time and the Department of Communities is unable to provide a cumulative figure.
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