WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding the number of public housing applicants who died while on the waitlist, their average wait time, and the longest wait time experienced. The answer provides data on withdrawn applications and average/longest wait times, but includes caveats about applicants already housed.

AnsweredQoN 446Legislative Council
Asked
19 August 2025
Portfolio
Housing and Works

QuestionView source ↗

(1) How many applicants have passed away while on the public housing waitlist during the 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 financial years? (2) In reference to (1), for those people who passed away, what was the average wait time before they passed? (3) In reference to (1), what was the longest wait time for anyone who passed while on the list?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
14 October 2025
Responded by
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Housing and Works
Response time
9 days
(1)  Total number of applications withdrawn under category:
2022-23           104
2023-24           103
2024-25           102
(2)  These numbers include people that have received multiple offers of accommodation and although adequately housed remain eligible for public housing.
Many people who are already housed in other accommodation may seek the security of public housing when there is significant pressure in the private rental market.
2022/23           177 weeks
2023/24           152 weeks
2024/25           147 weeks
(3)  These numbers include people that have received multiple offers of accommodation and although adequately housed remain eligible for public housing.
Many people who are already housed in other accommodation may seek the security of public housing when there is significant pressure in the private rental market.
2022/23           11 years
2023/24           11 years
2024/25           12 years

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