Media Release – Shelter WA releases budget submission as new data shows homelessness at record high

The WA government must invest its substantial budget surplus and GST windfall into fixing the housing crisis as new data shows homelessness hitting an all-time high, said Shelter WA.

The By-Name List, which tracks homelessness in Perth, Geraldton, Bunbury, Mandurah and Rockingham, counted a record 1,889 people experiencing homelessness in February 2024, up from 1,373 two years ago.

A total of 1,029 were sleeping rough, exceeding last month’s record of 947, up from 655 two years ago.

In Perth, the crisis is so bad that only 39% of the 1,355 people experiencing homelessness, including 689 rough sleepers, have a case manager and only 18 could be permanently housed in February.

“WA’s housing crisis is breaking all the wrong records, but we have an incredible opportunity to solve it with this budget,” said Shelter WA CEO Kath Snell.

“After five years of large surpluses and a GST windfall, the government must centre this year’s budget on housing and homelessness.”

With rents soaring, homelessness surging and the housing shortage worsening, Shelter WA’s budget submission, released today, is calling for immediate action to ensure everyone has a safe and affordable place to call home.

Shelter WA’s recommendations include:

• • Establishing an affordable rental housing scheme
  • Boosting funding for homelessness services so they can meet demand
  • Rolling out rapid accommodation options to end rough sleeping
  • Improving the energy efficiency of social housing to deliver cost-of-living relief
  • Helping community housing organisations to serve more people

Shelter WA is also calling for funding to extend the by-name list to other regions of the state.

Across WA there were 9,729 people experiencing homelessness during the 2021 census, including a record number of 2,315 rough sleeping, but the by-name list only covers five areas. David Pearson, Executive Officer of the WA Alliance to End Homelessness, which runs the by-name list, said:

“Having a roof over your head is a basic human need and thousands of people across our prosperous state are living in their cars, tents or couch surfing because they cannot find a place to call home.

“The number of people sleeping rough is as shocking as it is heartbreaking.

“But we know we can solve this. We’re seeing great results in communities like Geraldton and Mandurah, where a dedicated outreach, housing and collaboration has reduced the rough sleeping numbers in recent months. I’ve also seen first hand how cities like Glasgow have managed to effectively end rough sleeping through dedicated effort.

“Homelessness is solvable, but it takes leadership and continued investment, we need funding for additional full time staff to expand the Advance to Zero framework across more WA communities to help us demonstrate this”.

Ms Snell said a record number of WA households are experiencing housing stress, homelessness and living in overcrowded conditions.

“Essential workers like nurses, school teachers and construction workers can only afford to rent  one per cent of rentals and are paying up to 70 per cent of their income on rent,” she said.

“The number of desperate people turning up at homelessness services has exploded, forcing overwhelmed staff to decide who to help and who to turn away.

“Now is the time to use our incredibly strong budget position to invest in the prosperity of all West Australians.

“We have the means and the know-how to solve this crisis, to the benefit of everyone who is proud to call WA home.

“The government’s target to end rough sleeping by 2025 is achievable – but only if we urgently  invest more in rapid accommodation solutions and homelessness services.

“We strongly welcome the Cook government’s important announcements so far – including a $50m community housing fund for the regions, a $24m rent relief program and funding for 15  homelessness services – and believe we can work together to build on this momentum with our necessary and achievable recommendations.”

See below for summary of budget recommendations.

Shelter WA’s Pre-Budget Submission and all related media releases is available here.