New figures show Perth has become one of the most unaffordable cities for renters, second only to Adelaide, prompting Shelter WA to call on the next federal government to deliver more housing funding for the state.
CoreLogic data released today reveals Perth renters are paying an average of 33.2 per cent of their income on rent, above the 30 per cent threshold that defines housing stress.
CoreLogic's analysis also shows all WA federal electorates have faced significant increases in rent since the Covid-19 pandemic, with rents jumping between 50.3 per cent and 74.3 per cent over five years.
Federal electorate |
Median dwelling rent |
5 year change in rent |
% of income to pay rent |
Brand |
$631 |
67.1% |
35.8% |
Bullwinkel |
$679 |
61.3% |
34.2% |
Burt |
$657 |
71.2% |
34.6% |
Canning |
$617 |
65% |
36.8% |
Cowan |
$721 |
74.3% |
37.4% |
Curtin |
$912 |
52.3% |
32.5% |
Durack |
$618 |
65.7% |
32.6% |
Forrest |
$686 |
67.3% |
37.7% |
Fremantle |
$750 |
65.4% |
36.7% |
Hasluck |
$712 |
71.9% |
33.1% |
Moore |
$829 |
59.1% |
31.4% |
Oconnor |
$554 |
50.3% |
34.5% |
Pearce |
$696 |
69.3% |
32.3% |
Perth |
$731 |
66.8% |
29.6% |
Swan |
$708 |
71.5% |
35.8% |
Tangney |
$813 |
63.6% |
33.7% |
Source: CoreLogic
CEO of Shelter WA Kath Snell said: "These figures reinforce what Shelter WA and other advocates have been saying: leaders of the major parties must not forget renters in next week's federal election.
"Perth used to be Australia's most affordable capital city, but in just a few years we've watched as affordability has fallen off a cliff.
"Tens of thousands of West Australians are being priced out of safe, stable homes. We're seeing families facing unprecedented pressure caused by skyrocketing rents, years-long waitlists for social housing and unsafe living conditions.
"With an estimated 53,800 WA households experiencing homelessness, housing stress or living in overcrowded homes, it's clear we need immediate and substantial action.
"Current policy approaches aren't doing enough to address the underlying issues affecting housing affordability. The scale of the crisis requires bold government intervention to address the imbalance of supply and demand."
Shelter WA is calling on the next federal government to invest more funding for additional social and affordable homes and do more to protect renters. That includes quadrupling the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF), implementing national minimum rental standards, and introducing mandatory inclusionary zoning for new builds.
"The WA Government can't solve our state's housing crisis alone, we need the federal government to deliver bold and ambitious solutions as well," Ms Snell said.
"WA desperately needs more social and affordable housing, and better protections for renters — the federal government absolutely has a role to play in making this happen."
