❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding public housing waitlists, application numbers, and reasons for decline, answered with data on applications received and added to the waitlist from 2017-18 to 2022-23, and explanations of the assessment process and reasons for ineligibility.
AnsweredQoN 1790Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the public housing waitlist, and I ask: (a) for each of the following financial years, how many applications for public housing were submitted to the Department: (i) 2017-18; (ii) 2018-19; (iii) 2019-20; (iv) 2020-21; (v) 2021-22; and (vi) 2022-23; (b) for each of the years in (a), how many applications were approved or added to the waitlist; (c) for each of the years in (a), how many applications were declined or not added to the waitlist; (d) for what reasons might an application be declined or not added to the waitlist; and (e) for the year 2022-23, what were the top five reasons for applications being declined or not added, and how many applications were declined per each reason?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
27 February 2024
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food representing the Minister for Housing
Response time
2 days
(a-e)
The Department of Communities (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 while awaiting allocation.
Communities has introduced the Housing Options Assessment which is available to anyone seeking housing assistance. The Housing Options Assessment is not an application for public housing, therefore, at the time of completing the assessment, clients are not required to provide substantive evidence or supporting documentation in order to receive housing information.
Upon completion of their Housing Options Assessment, written advice is provided to the client regarding potential housing products or services they may be eligible for. Regardless of this information, a client may choose to apply for public housing by completing a public housing application form.
Once an individual submits their application form, it is then registered and assessed for eligibility by Communities. If eligible, the application is made active, and the customer is notified in writing of their listing date. If not eligible, the person is notified in writing of the decision and given information on the appeals process.
There are various reasons why a public housing application may not become active on the public housing wait list, following assessment. The most common occurrence is when applicants are found not to be eligible for public housing assistance due to not meeting the income threshold or already owning property, or have not proven their eligibility, the applicant is already on the wait list, the application is incomplete, a lack of supporting documentation or a change in an applicant’s circumstances, such as finding suitable housing. Some applicants may also withdraw their application voluntarily.
Public Housing State-wide Wait Turn Applications Received by Financial Year
Financial Year
Public Housing State-wide Wait Turn Applications Received by Financial Year
Public Housing State-wide Wait Turn Applications Added by Financial Year
2017-18
7,559
6,498
2018-19
7,645
6,595
2019-20
8,168
6,831
2020-21
8,806
7,303
2021-22
7,128
6,093
2022-23
7,381
6,543
2023-24 FYTD
3,397
3,186
* NB: The number of Wait Turn Applications includes Priority Applications.
The Department of Communities (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 while awaiting allocation.
Communities has introduced the Housing Options Assessment which is available to anyone seeking housing assistance. The Housing Options Assessment is not an application for public housing, therefore, at the time of completing the assessment, clients are not required to provide substantive evidence or supporting documentation in order to receive housing information.
Upon completion of their Housing Options Assessment, written advice is provided to the client regarding potential housing products or services they may be eligible for. Regardless of this information, a client may choose to apply for public housing by completing a public housing application form.
Once an individual submits their application form, it is then registered and assessed for eligibility by Communities. If eligible, the application is made active, and the customer is notified in writing of their listing date. If not eligible, the person is notified in writing of the decision and given information on the appeals process.
There are various reasons why a public housing application may not become active on the public housing wait list, following assessment. The most common occurrence is when applicants are found not to be eligible for public housing assistance due to not meeting the income threshold or already owning property, or have not proven their eligibility, the applicant is already on the wait list, the application is incomplete, a lack of supporting documentation or a change in an applicant’s circumstances, such as finding suitable housing. Some applicants may also withdraw their application voluntarily.
Public Housing State-wide Wait Turn Applications Received by Financial Year
Financial Year
Public Housing State-wide Wait Turn Applications Received by Financial Year
Public Housing State-wide Wait Turn Applications Added by Financial Year
2017-18
7,559
6,498
2018-19
7,645
6,595
2019-20
8,168
6,831
2020-21
8,806
7,303
2021-22
7,128
6,093
2022-23
7,381
6,543
2023-24 FYTD
3,397
3,186
* NB: The number of Wait Turn Applications includes Priority Applications.
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