Question On Notice No. 900 asked in the Legislative Council on 1 September 2022 by Hon Dr Brad Pettitt
Question Directed to the: Leader of the House representing the Minister for Housing
Parliament: 41 Session: 1
Question
(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?
Answered on 11 October 2022
(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.