❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the income threshold for public housing eligibility, its last increase, and potential future adjustments in light of cost-of-living increases. The answer highlights the government's broader affordable housing strategy.
AnsweredQoN 958Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PUBLIC HOUSING — INCOME ELIGIBILITY
958. Hon SAMANTHA ROWE to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Housing:
I refer to the income threshold for
public housing eligibility.
(1) When was the income threshold
last increased?
(2) Does the
minister believe the current threshold is restricting those in severe housing
stress from applying for public housing?
(3) Does the minister intend to
increase the threshold in the near future?
(4) Is the
minister currently considering indexation options for some eligibility
thresholds to ensure that they are reflective of cost-of-living increases?
958. Hon SAMANTHA ROWE to the
parliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Housing:
I refer to the income threshold for
public housing eligibility.
(1) When was the income threshold
last increased?
(2) Does the
minister believe the current threshold is restricting those in severe housing
stress from applying for public housing?
(3) Does the minister intend to
increase the threshold in the near future?
(4) Is the
minister currently considering indexation options for some eligibility
thresholds to ensure that they are reflective of cost-of-living increases?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice
of the question.
(1) It was last increased in 2006.
(2) Anyone receiving a statutory
payment is eligible to apply.
(3) The affordable housing strategy
flags the need to strengthen the social housing system.
(4) The Housing
Authority continually monitors eligibility criteria to determine the
appropriateness of eligibility limits including for both income and assets.
Importantly, public housing eligibility should not be viewed in isolation of
the Liberal–National government's commitment under the
affordable housing strategy to increase the range of housing options for low to
moderate-income earners. The strategy has been delivering homes for people
right across the housing continuum—public and community housing for
people on very low incomes, discounted private rentals and/or bond assistance
for people on low incomes, and home loans and shared equity options for people
on low to moderate incomes who cannot obtain mainstream home loans. In
recognition of the Liberal–National government meeting its target under
the state affordable housing strategy of 20 000 additional affordable homes by
2020, the government has raised its minimum target to 30 000 affordable homes by
2020. To date, nearly 24 000 homes have been delivered under the strategy. This
has a much greater impact than adjusting eligibility criteria.
of the question.
(1) It was last increased in 2006.
(2) Anyone receiving a statutory
payment is eligible to apply.
(3) The affordable housing strategy
flags the need to strengthen the social housing system.
(4) The Housing
Authority continually monitors eligibility criteria to determine the
appropriateness of eligibility limits including for both income and assets.
Importantly, public housing eligibility should not be viewed in isolation of
the Liberal–National government's commitment under the
affordable housing strategy to increase the range of housing options for low to
moderate-income earners. The strategy has been delivering homes for people
right across the housing continuum—public and community housing for
people on very low incomes, discounted private rentals and/or bond assistance
for people on low incomes, and home loans and shared equity options for people
on low to moderate incomes who cannot obtain mainstream home loans. In
recognition of the Liberal–National government meeting its target under
the state affordable housing strategy of 20 000 additional affordable homes by
2020, the government has raised its minimum target to 30 000 affordable homes by
2020. To date, nearly 24 000 homes have been delivered under the strategy. This
has a much greater impact than adjusting eligibility criteria.
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