❓ Mr. Zempilas questions the WA government on its definition and measurement of "affordable housing," seeking clarity on its application, changes since 2017, and delivery statistics. The government provides a broad definition and outlines various support programs.
AnsweredQoN 1459Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the Government’s frequent references to increasing the supply of “affordable housing” in Western Australia, and to recent REIWA data showing the median sale price of a house in Greater Perth is about $820,000, and I ask: (a) what definition of “affordable housing” does the Government currently use in Western Australia for home ownership and rental housing; (b) for each definition, how is “affordable” measured; (c) has the Government’s definition or definitions of “affordable housing” changed at any time since 2017; (d) if yes, why; (e) in reporting progress against the WA Housing Strategy 2020–2030 targets, what precise definition or definitions of “affordable housing” are used to measure that target; (f) for each of the past five financial years, how many dwellings have been delivered that meet the Government’s own definition of “affordable housing” in: (i) the Perth metropolitan region; and (ii) each region of Western Australia; and (g) Based on the Government’s current definition of “affordable housing” for home ownership, what is the maximum “affordable” purchase price for a dwelling in: (i) the Perth metropolitan region; and (ii) each region in Western Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
17 February 2026
Responded by
Minister for Housing and Works
Response time
3 days
I thank the Member for some notice of the question.
a) – b) There is no single definition of affordable housing, it is dependent on application and program.
Housing is broadly considered affordable when it costs no more than 30 per cent of a low-to-moderate income household’s gross income.
For specific national programs where rent must be no more than 30 per cent of assessable income plus eligible rent assistance, housing is offered at 74.9 per cent or less of market rent to eligible households.
c) No
d-e) Not applicable
f-g) The State Government has a significant social housing target. The State Government also supports housing affordability across Western Australia through a range of products including Keystart; DevelopmentWA land releases; lending activities under the Bond Assistance Loan Scheme; and New Build-to-Rent Community Housing Developments and other funded supports.
a) – b) There is no single definition of affordable housing, it is dependent on application and program.
Housing is broadly considered affordable when it costs no more than 30 per cent of a low-to-moderate income household’s gross income.
For specific national programs where rent must be no more than 30 per cent of assessable income plus eligible rent assistance, housing is offered at 74.9 per cent or less of market rent to eligible households.
c) No
d-e) Not applicable
f-g) The State Government has a significant social housing target. The State Government also supports housing affordability across Western Australia through a range of products including Keystart; DevelopmentWA land releases; lending activities under the Bond Assistance Loan Scheme; and New Build-to-Rent Community Housing Developments and other funded supports.
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