❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks data on public housing wait times, targets, and social housing stock increases. The response provides some historical data but avoids specific targets, citing COVID-related market changes and resource constraints.
AnsweredQoN 1729Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the WA Housing Strategy 2020-2030, and I ask: (a) does the Strategy identify targets or KPIs for the time applicants wait for a house on the public housing wait list; (b) if yes to (a), what are they; (c) does the Strategy identify targets or KPIs for the time applicants wait for a house on the priority public housing wait list, and if so what are they; (d) if yes to (c), what are they; (e) do any other State Government documents or commitments identify targets or KPIs for the time applicants wait for a house on the public housing wait list; (f) if yes to (e), what are they; (g) do any other State Government documents or commitments identify targets or KPIs for the time applicants wait for a house on the priority public housing wait list; (h) if yes to (g), what are they; (i) as of 30 June 2020, what was the median wait time (in weeks) for: (i) public housing wait list; and (ii) priority public housing wait list; (j) as of 30 June 2021, what was the median wait time (in weeks) for the: (i) public housing wait list; and (ii) priority public housing wait list; (k) as of 30 June 2022, what was the median wait time (in weeks) for the: (i) public housing wait list; and (ii) priority public housing wait list; (l) as of 30 June 2023, what was the median wait time (in weeks) for the: (i) public housing wait list; and (ii) priority public housing wait list; (m) as of 19 October 2023, how long had the five longest-waiting applicant(s) been on the wait lists for the: (i) public housing wait list; and (ii) priority public housing wait list; (n) does the 2020-2030 Strategy identify targets or KPIs for number of new homes added to the total social housing stock; (o) if yes to (n), what are they; (p) do any other State Government documents or commitments identify targets or KPIs for adding to the total social housing stock,; and (q) if yes to (p), what are they and what is the current level of progress?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
28 November 2023
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Housing
Response time
7 days
(a) – (h), (n) – (q)
The WA Housing Strategy 2020-2030 was drafted prior to the effects of COVID and is undergoing review in the changed market circumstances, given that there has been a significant change in the housing market.
(i) - (l)
The below data represents wait times for the public and priority housing wait lists.
The Department of Communities provides multiple pathways, including public rental housing, bond assistance loans, and other supports, to those unable to obtain housing through the private sector. It should be noted that the majority of applicants for public housing have access to some form of accommodation.
Waitlist numbers are dependent on several macroeconomic factors such as a tight private rental market. This 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.
Public Housing State-wide Average Wait Times - by Financial Year 2010 - 2023
Reporting Period
Wait Turn & Priority
Priority ONLY
Average in Weeks
Average in Weeks
2010-11
113
58
2011-12
131
62
2012-13
132
63
2013-14
146
67
2014-15
158
71
2015-16
153
59
2016-17
139
54
2017-18
113
37
2018-19
95
35
2019-20
94
34
2020-21
102
45
2021-22
116
60
2022-23
133
74
Public Housing State-wide Median Wait Times - as at 30 June 2015 - 2023
Reporting Period
Wait Turn & Priority
Priority ONLY
Median in Weeks
Median in Weeks
30 June 2015
125
48
30 June 2016
118
34
30 June 2017
93
29
30 June 2018
60
13
30 June 2019
45
17
30 June 2020
48
19
30 June 2021
58
28
30 June 2022
81
50
30 June 2023
105
66
(m) (i) and (ii)
This information is not reported as a matter of course and requires a significant amount of frontline resources, including a manual review of individual files.
The earliest registration date for an applicant on the public housing wait list state-wide was in January 2005 and is currently situated in private rental accommodation, having rejected multiple offers of public housing. They remain eligible for public housing and have changed their preference zone several times.
The earliest registration date for an applicant on the priority wait list state-wide was in May 2014. Despite a lack of engagement with the Department over some years, a discretionary decision has been made to retain the listing. They remain eligible for public housing and have changed their preference zone several times.
The WA Housing Strategy 2020-2030 was drafted prior to the effects of COVID and is undergoing review in the changed market circumstances, given that there has been a significant change in the housing market.
(i) - (l)
The below data represents wait times for the public and priority housing wait lists.
The Department of Communities provides multiple pathways, including public rental housing, bond assistance loans, and other supports, to those unable to obtain housing through the private sector. It should be noted that the majority of applicants for public housing have access to some form of accommodation.
Waitlist numbers are dependent on several macroeconomic factors such as a tight private rental market. This 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.
Public Housing State-wide Average Wait Times - by Financial Year 2010 - 2023
Reporting Period
Wait Turn & Priority
Priority ONLY
Average in Weeks
Average in Weeks
2010-11
113
58
2011-12
131
62
2012-13
132
63
2013-14
146
67
2014-15
158
71
2015-16
153
59
2016-17
139
54
2017-18
113
37
2018-19
95
35
2019-20
94
34
2020-21
102
45
2021-22
116
60
2022-23
133
74
Public Housing State-wide Median Wait Times - as at 30 June 2015 - 2023
Reporting Period
Wait Turn & Priority
Priority ONLY
Median in Weeks
Median in Weeks
30 June 2015
125
48
30 June 2016
118
34
30 June 2017
93
29
30 June 2018
60
13
30 June 2019
45
17
30 June 2020
48
19
30 June 2021
58
28
30 June 2022
81
50
30 June 2023
105
66
(m) (i) and (ii)
This information is not reported as a matter of course and requires a significant amount of frontline resources, including a manual review of individual files.
The earliest registration date for an applicant on the public housing wait list state-wide was in January 2005 and is currently situated in private rental accommodation, having rejected multiple offers of public housing. They remain eligible for public housing and have changed their preference zone several times.
The earliest registration date for an applicant on the priority wait list state-wide was in May 2014. Despite a lack of engagement with the Department over some years, a discretionary decision has been made to retain the listing. They remain eligible for public housing and have changed their preference zone several times.
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