Polling finds overwhelming support for a budget boost to end homelessness

Independent polling has found housing and rent affordability and homelessness are among the leading issues that Perth citizens would like to see the State Government focus its budget on.

Shelter WA CEO Michelle Mackenzie said findings from polling, released to coincide with Homelessness Week 2021, show that housing, rental affordability and homelessness are in the top three issues that the community would like to see the state government focus on.

“What came through strongly in the poll is the overwhelming community support for government to invest into initiatives to address the social and affordable housing shortage and to end homelessness,” Ms Mackenzie said.

The results from the Homelessness, Housing and Rental Affordability Community Perceptions poll found:

  • 77 per cent of the community feel that the current housing conditions in WA are a serious social issue.
  • Over half ranked housing and rental affordability and homelessness in the top five issues they’d like to see the state government focus on it its upcoming budget – placing it behind only the public health system and the cost of living.
  • Over eight in ten would support an investment of $1 billion each year for the next four years to providing accommodation for people experiencing homelessness (82% support), providing housing for families on the social housing waiting list (81% support) and building more affordable rental homes (80%).

The experience of homelessness and adverse impacts of the housing shortage are mainstream and widespread.

“We were surprised by another key finding from the poll that showed a large number of people surveyed had been impacted by homelessness, which shows just how widespread the housing shortage is,” Ms Mackenzie said.

The polling found 8 per cent had personally experienced homelessness and another 18 per cent had a friend or family member who has experienced homelessness.

Another 14 per cent had personally had a rent increase or eviction notice and another 35 per cent have had a friend or family member receive a rent increase or eviction notice.

“This polling reinforces polling undertaken in February this year which found overwhelming support for initiatives to end homelessness and increase rental and social housing,” Ms Mackenzie said.

The February poll looked at voting intentions and found 87 per cent of voters would support initiatives that reduce the incidence of homelessness and 81 per cent support the increase the amount of affordable rental housing in WA. This figure jumped to 90 per cent if these measures create new jobs or stimulated the WA economy.

“The community understands the importance of a place to call home and COVID-19 has shown that housing is critical to keep everybody health and well. Polling shows the community understands that with increased investment in social and affordable housing we can address the housing shortage, unlock economic and social opportunity and set us all up for a bright housing future,” Ms Mackenzie said.

The theme for Homelessness Week 2021 is housing solutions to end homelessness. “WA has a first-class strategy to end homelessness, and new government initiatives in partnership with the community sector are making a significant difference to the lives of many people. With ongoing collaboration, we can build on these initiatives and accelerate and increase the rate of investment,” said Ms Mackenzie.

Homelessness is a complex issue, but with strong stewardship, leadership and resolve from government, in partnership with the community sector and people with lived experience of housing insecurity and homelessness, we can deliver the housing and services needed across Western Australia to end homelessness,” Ms Mackenzie concluded.

Community Perceptions Poll Findings

  • Over half of those surveyed ranked housing and rental affordability and homelessness in the top five issues they’d like to see the state government focus on it its upcoming budget, behind only the public health system and the cost of living.
  • One in five people ranked housing affordability and homelessness as their number one issue for the government to spend more of its budget upon.
  • Strategies that would reduce homelessness and make rental and social housing more accessible have broad support.
  • There is strong support for the government to invest $1billion each year into housing initiatives that would solve the housing shortage.
  • 82 per cent would support an investment of $1 billion each year for the next four years to providing accommodation for people experiencing homelessness (82%), providing housing for families on the social housing waiting list (81%) and building more affordable rental homes (80%).
  • At least four in five would support initiatives that end homelessness (83%) and increase the amount of affordable rental housing in WA (80%).
  • Over seven in ten people polled support increasing the amount of social housing in WA (73%) and making the rental market fairer (71%).
  • 77 per cent of the community feel that the current housing conditions in WA are a serious social issue.
  • Over half the community impacted personally by homelessness or rental affordability issues.
  • Eight per cent had personally experienced homelessness and another 18% had a friend or family member who has experienced homelessness.
  • 14 per cent had personally had a rent increase or eviction notice and another 35% have had a friend or family member receive a rent increase or eviction notice.

Polling Details

The polling was conducted in June 2021 by Painted Dog Research group operating in line with the international standard for market, opinion and Social Research (ISO 20252). The sample size is n=630 with a survey error of 3.96% at the 95% level of confidence. All survey participants were over 18 years of age and include residents from the Perth metropolitan area in all upper house electorates.

Fast Facts:

  • It is estimated over 9,000 people experience homelessness in WA (ABS 2016).
  • The By-Name list reported 977 people experiencing homeless, including 513 rough sleepers in the Perth, Fremantle and surrounding areas as at June 2021. (By-Name List: June 2021).
  • Approximately 17,000 households are on the social housing waitlist, including 3220 priority applicants as at May 2021. (Dept of Communities).
  • The waitlist has increased by 563 new applicants, including 274 priority applicants, between 31 March 2021, the ending of the rental moratorium, and 31 May 2021. (Dept of Communities).
  • In 2019, there was a shortfall of 39,200 social and 19,400 affordable homes across WA to meet demand (UNSW City Futures).
  • The Perth rental vacancy rate as at June 2021 was 1.2%. In Broome it was 0.6%, Albany 0.8% and Bunbury 0.6%. Typically, a vacancy rate between 2.5 and 3.5 per cent represents a balanced market. (REIWA).

Shelter WA Media Contact: Chantal Caruso 0447 201 377.