WA Housing Strategy 2020-2030

Shelter WA congratulates the McGowan Government on the release of the WA Housing Strategy 2020-2030 with its focus on connecting households to a home.

To Be Commended

“How, where, why and for whom we create homes has profound implications for people, communities and our planet,” said Michelle Mackenzie, CEO of Shelter WA. “This strategy with its focus on a housing system that provides choice, supports equity and accessibility, maintains and grows the social housing safety net and is person-centered, place based and community focused is to be commended.”

“Housing is more than a roof over our heads. It is the foundation for individual health and well-being, and the springboard to opportunity,” said Michelle. We are pleased that the strategy uses the levers available to government to create more diverse, climate appropriate housing choice within liveable, inclusive and connected communities.

COVID-19 reinforced the importance of a home to stay healthy and well, exposing the cracks in the housing system in particular for people on low and low to moderate incomes.

“We are pleased the strategy has targets for social housing supply, but had hoped the targets would be more ambitious.” – Michelle Mackenzie, CEO of Shelter WA.”

Social Housing Supply

A strong and robust social housing safety net is critical if all West Australians are to have safe and secure place to call home. “We are pleased the strategy has targets for social housing supply, but had hoped the targets would be more ambitious, given the importance of a home and the savings to government through investment into the social housing system,” said Michelle. “The strategy’s target of a six per cent increase of social housing over the next ten years will only deliver around 260 new social homes each year. This will not deliver the social homes needed across our State.”

“Evidence shows the community housing sector is critical to creating a vibrant and agile social and affordable housing system. Our sector is ready to partner with government and industry to drive innovation and increase social and affordable housing supply, maximising Commonwealth investment opportunities and delivering positive outcomes for people who rent,” said Michelle.

“Housing is critical to ending homelessness.”

Housing Insecurity

“Housing is critical to ending homelessness,” said Michelle. “COVID-19 showed us a society that was comparing, compassionate and acutely aware of the impact of housing insecurity and homelessness on people’s health, mental health and economic and social security,” said Michelle.

“Shelter WA welcomes the launch of the WA Housing Strategy 2020-2030 and looks forward to working with government to develop a housing system that ensures nobody is left behind and that all people in Western Australia have housing that enables them to thrive.

Fast Facts

  • Over 9,000 people experience homelessness every day across WA.
  • Over 4,300 people access specialist homelessness services every day.
  • Over 14,000 are on the wait list for social housing.
  • Over 6,000 people who live in insecure housing are at risk of homelessness.
  • The Perth residential vacancy rate is around 1.3 per cent.
  • There is a shortfall of 39,200 social and 19,300 affordable homes across Western Australia to meet current need.

Read the WA Housing Strategy 2020-2030 here.

For media interviews with Michelle Mackenzie, CEO & Spokesperson of Shelter WA. Please contact Royceton Hardey via email here.

Royceton Hardey, Digital and Social Media Coordinator | Shelter WA | T: (08) 9325 6660.

About Shelter WA

Shelter WA brings together a strong coalition committed to diverse and affordable housing choice for all, with a particular focus on housing for people on very low to moderate incomes and groups that experience housing insecurity. Shelter WA undertakes research, engagement, policy development and strong advocacy to drive solutions to build an effective housing system and alleviate housing-related poverty. Our vision is that all people living in Western Australia have housing that enables them to thrive.