Rental Housing in WA: Ten ideas to address the rental crisis
Western Australia is experiencing a critical shortage of affordable rental supply, and persistent low vacancy rates have been contributing to inflated rents over the last three years – creating a highly competitive and unaffordable market, especially for households on low incomes.
This report outlines ten “shovel-ready” short- and medium-term solutions to address the rental crisis identified through Shelter WA’s “Rental Roundtable”, held on Tuesday, 3 May 2022, and subsequent stakeholder engagement across the community sector, private industry and academia.
Solutions have been identified with strong consensus and traction for rapid implementation (within twelve months), including consideration of where current initiatives or investment could be expanded, to ease the rental crisis and increase the supply of affordable rental housing to put forward to the WA Government. Roundtable participants included representatives from WA Government departments, industry bodies, developers and community housing organisations (CHOs).
The ten top ideas generated have been grouped into three themes:
Unlock New Supply
- Establish a WA Housing Future Fund.
- Spot purchase homes for community housing.
- Spot purchase pre-sale apartments for community housing.
- Improve collaboration with community housing.
- Streamline procurement for social and affordable housing.
- Establish a housing program for regional key workers.
Unlock Existing Supply
- Introduce an affordable rental incentive scheme.
- Monitor short-stay accommodation; enable local responses.
- Audit an ancillary program initiative.
Support Private Tenants
- Introduce a private rental assistance program.
Read the Rental Housing in WA: Ten ideas to address the rental crisis report.
