❓ Mrs. Maynard asks about the WA Rent Relief Program's impact. The Minister responds with program details, positive outcomes, and community reception.
AnsweredQoN 86Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
WA Rent Relief Program
86. Mrs Michelle Maynard to the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's hugely successful WA Rent
Relief Program.
(1) Can the minister update the house on how this
program is delivering millions of dollars in cost-of-living support for WA
families?
(2) Can the minister advise the house how the
program is being received by the Western Australian community?
86. Mrs Michelle Maynard to the Minister for Commerce:
I refer to the Cook Labor government's hugely successful WA Rent
Relief Program.
(1) Can the minister update the house on how this
program is delivering millions of dollars in cost-of-living support for WA
families?
(2) Can the minister advise the house how the
program is being received by the Western Australian community?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. I
thank the member for Swan Hills for the question and her strong advocacy for
families in her electorate. Congratulations on an outstanding inaugural speech.
Can I also congratulate all new members on both sides of the chamber who have
done their inaugural speech. We have a few more to go that we look forward to
hearing when we come back in a couple of weeks.
In regard to this very important
question from the member for Swan Hills, this is a very powerful example of the
Cook Labor government's delivery of targeted, meaningful cost-of-living support.
This is the WA Rent Relief Program, which is a $24.4 million initiative that
was launched in November 2023. It has been a lifeline for families experiencing
rental distress and the risk of eviction. It provides up to $5,000 per
household to help cover rental arrears and stabilise tenancies. But the strength
of this program lies in not just financial relief or assistance, but also a
very strong partnership with Anglicare WA and Vinnies WA, who also help with
counselling, financial counselling and tenancy support, helping to build
long-term housing security.
I am pleased to inform the
member for Swan Hills and also the house that the program has now passed a
major milestone. Over $11 million in rent relief grants have been delivered,
helping more than 2,480 households. That is an average of $4,285 per household
and more than 1,000 children have been able to remain safely with their
families. That is absolutely outstanding. Of the recipients, 35% live in the
Perth metropolitan area and the balance, 25%, are in the regional areas of
Western Australia. The program also supports a significant number of single
parent families, in which 65% of recipients are women, and over half of them
are single mothers. Among male recipients, one in five are single fathers. The
response from the community has been incredibly positive. An independent evaluation
by the Centre for Social Impact at the University of Western Australia found
that 85% of tenants remain in their home for six months after receiving support,
and that is absolutely fantastic. Those who move on were able to find new, more
affordable housing. Beyond just keeping people in their homes, the program is
improving mental health, reducing stress and anxiety and giving people back a
sense of stability and control in their lives. This is an effective,
compassionate government that looks after people. We are providing practical
actions, real outcomes and programs that meet people
where they need to be met. The Western Australian Rent Relief Program is
another clear demonstration of the Cook Labor government's commitment to easing
cost-of-living pressures and backing in Western Australians when they need it
most. Thank you.
Visitors
The Speaker : Before I
give the call to the member for Central Wheatbelt, I would like to welcome and
acknowledge the former member for Nedlands, Hon Bill Marmion in the Speaker's gallery
there. Welcome back, Bill. It is great to see you.
thank the member for Swan Hills for the question and her strong advocacy for
families in her electorate. Congratulations on an outstanding inaugural speech.
Can I also congratulate all new members on both sides of the chamber who have
done their inaugural speech. We have a few more to go that we look forward to
hearing when we come back in a couple of weeks.
In regard to this very important
question from the member for Swan Hills, this is a very powerful example of the
Cook Labor government's delivery of targeted, meaningful cost-of-living support.
This is the WA Rent Relief Program, which is a $24.4 million initiative that
was launched in November 2023. It has been a lifeline for families experiencing
rental distress and the risk of eviction. It provides up to $5,000 per
household to help cover rental arrears and stabilise tenancies. But the strength
of this program lies in not just financial relief or assistance, but also a
very strong partnership with Anglicare WA and Vinnies WA, who also help with
counselling, financial counselling and tenancy support, helping to build
long-term housing security.
I am pleased to inform the
member for Swan Hills and also the house that the program has now passed a
major milestone. Over $11 million in rent relief grants have been delivered,
helping more than 2,480 households. That is an average of $4,285 per household
and more than 1,000 children have been able to remain safely with their
families. That is absolutely outstanding. Of the recipients, 35% live in the
Perth metropolitan area and the balance, 25%, are in the regional areas of
Western Australia. The program also supports a significant number of single
parent families, in which 65% of recipients are women, and over half of them
are single mothers. Among male recipients, one in five are single fathers. The
response from the community has been incredibly positive. An independent evaluation
by the Centre for Social Impact at the University of Western Australia found
that 85% of tenants remain in their home for six months after receiving support,
and that is absolutely fantastic. Those who move on were able to find new, more
affordable housing. Beyond just keeping people in their homes, the program is
improving mental health, reducing stress and anxiety and giving people back a
sense of stability and control in their lives. This is an effective,
compassionate government that looks after people. We are providing practical
actions, real outcomes and programs that meet people
where they need to be met. The Western Australian Rent Relief Program is
another clear demonstration of the Cook Labor government's commitment to easing
cost-of-living pressures and backing in Western Australians when they need it
most. Thank you.
Visitors
The Speaker : Before I
give the call to the member for Central Wheatbelt, I would like to welcome and
acknowledge the former member for Nedlands, Hon Bill Marmion in the Speaker's gallery
there. Welcome back, Bill. It is great to see you.
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