Hon Tim Clifford questions the Minister for Commerce regarding the end of the eviction and rent rise moratorium and the government's plan to address potential housing affordability issues. The Minister responds by outlining existing government housing initiatives.

AnsweredQoN 1344Legislative Council
Asked
25 November 2020
Portfolio
Commerce

QuestionView source ↗

HOUSING — RENTAL
ACCOMMODATION
1344. Hon TIM CLIFFORD to the minister representing the
Minister for Commerce:
I refer to an article in The West
Australian of 2 November 2020, which is headed ''REIWA expects 20
per cent Perth rental increase from March when COVID-19 emergency ban ends''.
(1) Will the
minister confirm that the moratorium on evictions and rent rises will not be
extended beyond March 2021?
(2) Given the
record low vacancy rate and projected rental hike of 20 per cent come March,
what will the McGowan government do to secure immediate housing options to be
delivered this financial year for those who have been priced out of the market?

AnswerView source ↗

I thank the member for the question.
The following information has been provided by the Minister for Commerce.
(1) The Minister
for Commerce noted in his appearance at the Legislative Assembly estimates
committee hearings on 22 October 2020 that the emergency period will not be
extended unless there is a calamitous second wave that absolutely disrupts the Western
Australian economy.
(2) The McGowan
government provides a range of policy responses to address movements in the
broader housing market. These include the investments in social and affordable
housing made through the $394 million
Metronet social and affordable housing package, the $151 million housing and
homelessness investment package and the $319 million social housing
economic recovery package. In addition to these investments, the Department of
Communities provides a range of services, including rental assistance and bond
loans to those in housing need and who may not specifically require a publicly
owned house.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more