❓ WA Parliamentary Question on Notice regarding public and community housing stock, vacancy rates, and re-letting times as of June 30, 2022. The answer provides data on housing numbers and vacancy durations, highlighting challenges in re-letting due to maintenance and labour shortages.
AnsweredQoN 900Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
(1) How many public housing properties were there as of 30 June 2022? (2) How many community housing properties were there as of 30 June 2022? (3) Can you please provide a breakdown for (1) and (2) for each region in
Western Australia? (4) How many properties in (1) and (2) respectively are currently vacant? (5) How many of the vacant properties in (4) are able to be tenanted? (6) What is the average time that properties in (1) and (2) are vacant for;
and? (7) Can you please provide a breakdown of (6) by region?
Western Australia? (4) How many properties in (1) and (2) respectively are currently vacant? (5) How many of the vacant properties in (4) are able to be tenanted? (6) What is the average time that properties in (1) and (2) are vacant for;
and? (7) Can you please provide a breakdown of (6) by region?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
11 October 2022
Responded by
Leader of the House representing the Minister for Housing
Response time
4 days
(1-2) As at 30 June 2022, there were 43,115 social housing properties across the state, of which 35,694 were public housing and 7,421 were community housing.
(3)
Region
Public Housing stock as at 30 June 2022
Community Housing stock as at 30 June 2022
North Metro
11,810
2,303
South Metro
6,876
1,816
East Metro
6,506
1,125
Great Southern
1,125
330
Southwest
2,453
630
Goldfields
992
152
Midwest/Gascoyne
1,657
250
Pilbara
1,406
76
West Kimberley
1,228
175
Wheatbelt
1,020
458
East Kimberley
621
106
Grand Total
35,694
7,421
(4-5) Vacancy numbers are always a single point in time number that fluctuates for a range of reasons. Properties may be awaiting acceptance of offers from applicants, undergoing minor maintenance repairs or refurbishment prior to new occupants moving in, or undergoing major refurbishment as part of a redevelopment.
As has been advised in previous answers, vacancy information for Community Housing properties is unavailable as these properties are managed by external organisations.
As at 30 June 2022, there were 1,927 properties vacant. Of these, 1,505 are returning which includes properties that are vacant and are undergoing maintenance, repairs or refurbishment before being made available to an applicant on the waiting list. This also includes properties that have been spot purchased, which may require refurbishment to be brought up to clean, safe and working order.
Not-Returning properties include those that have reached their end of life and may have been damaged beyond repair or have been identified for demolition or redevelopment.
(6-7)
Public Housing State-wide Relets - For the last 12 months ended Date 30 June 2022
Region
Total Relets
Total Vacant
Average in Weeks
North Metro
827
14
South Metro
501
15
East Metro
492
14
Great Southern
127
19
Southwest
174
28
Goldfields
90
30
Midwest/Gascoyne
149
41
Pilbara
121
29
West Kimberley
110
18
Wheatbelt
88
16
East Kimberley
46
28
Grand Total
2,725
19
The average time includes properties requiring significant refurbishments before being re-tenanted. This includes where multiple trades are needed to complete the necessary works. Communities aims to relet vacated properties as soon as possible, while ensuring they are in clean, safe and working order.
Similar to the private construction market, maintenance and refurbishment works have been impacted by strong demand for skilled labour.
(3)
Region
Public Housing stock as at 30 June 2022
Community Housing stock as at 30 June 2022
North Metro
11,810
2,303
South Metro
6,876
1,816
East Metro
6,506
1,125
Great Southern
1,125
330
Southwest
2,453
630
Goldfields
992
152
Midwest/Gascoyne
1,657
250
Pilbara
1,406
76
West Kimberley
1,228
175
Wheatbelt
1,020
458
East Kimberley
621
106
Grand Total
35,694
7,421
(4-5) Vacancy numbers are always a single point in time number that fluctuates for a range of reasons. Properties may be awaiting acceptance of offers from applicants, undergoing minor maintenance repairs or refurbishment prior to new occupants moving in, or undergoing major refurbishment as part of a redevelopment.
As has been advised in previous answers, vacancy information for Community Housing properties is unavailable as these properties are managed by external organisations.
As at 30 June 2022, there were 1,927 properties vacant. Of these, 1,505 are returning which includes properties that are vacant and are undergoing maintenance, repairs or refurbishment before being made available to an applicant on the waiting list. This also includes properties that have been spot purchased, which may require refurbishment to be brought up to clean, safe and working order.
Not-Returning properties include those that have reached their end of life and may have been damaged beyond repair or have been identified for demolition or redevelopment.
(6-7)
Public Housing State-wide Relets - For the last 12 months ended Date 30 June 2022
Region
Total Relets
Total Vacant
Average in Weeks
North Metro
827
14
South Metro
501
15
East Metro
492
14
Great Southern
127
19
Southwest
174
28
Goldfields
90
30
Midwest/Gascoyne
149
41
Pilbara
121
29
West Kimberley
110
18
Wheatbelt
88
16
East Kimberley
46
28
Grand Total
2,725
19
The average time includes properties requiring significant refurbishments before being re-tenanted. This includes where multiple trades are needed to complete the necessary works. Communities aims to relet vacated properties as soon as possible, while ensuring they are in clean, safe and working order.
Similar to the private construction market, maintenance and refurbishment works have been impacted by strong demand for skilled labour.
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