HOUSING
— NATIONAL RENTAL AFFORDABILITY SCHEME
1009. Hon WILSON TUCKER to the Leader of the House
representing the Minister for Housing:
I note the impending end of the
national rental affordability scheme and the recent announcement by the federal
housing minister that commonwealth rent assistance payments will not be
increased to meet the soaring cost of rent.
I further note the record low vacancy rate, with reports that Perth housing
stock is at its lowest level in 12 years.
(1) Does the minister agree that Western
Australia is facing a rental crisis?
(2) With a market tipped in favour of landlords, what
assistance can the government offer to vulnerable renters?
The PRESIDENT: Before I give
the call to the Leader of the House, I would like to point out that part (1) of
that question seeks an opinion and therefore it contravenes the standing
orders, but I will ask the Leader of the House whether she is able to respond.
Hon SUE
ELLERY replied:
Thank you, President; indeed, I can.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(2) The
McGowan government remains committed to increasing social housing supply and
has invested a record $2.4 billion over four years to improve the quality and
accessibility of social housing and homelessness
services in Western Australia. This is on top of several other programs,
including the housing diversity pipeline and targeted land releases to
boost affordable housing supply. Since the start of the last financial year,
743 new homes have been delivered with over 900 homes under contract or
construction. This continued investment will deliver 3 300 social homes and
carry out refurbishment and maintenance work to many thousands more. The
McGowan government continues to invest and provide affordable housing
opportunities through a range of measures, including Keystart home loans, which
are unique to Western Australia, and allowing low-income households to get into
their own homes by providing a low barrier
pathway to affordable home ownership. Bond assistance loans are available from
the Department of Communities to overcome the up-front cost of renting in the
private market. If individuals who are currently on the NRAS need assistance,
the Department of Communities will assess their needs on a case-by-case basis
and provide them with information on their housing options and the appropriate
support services. This may be the provision of social housing, which is an
affordable rental option for those on low incomes.