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Housing affordability and public housing
shortages
Sadly WA is in the grip of
a severe housing affordability crisis and house prices in Bunbury have
forced many out of the market.
However it is not only
first homebuyers that have been hit by this crisis but also renters
who are struggling to keep up with soaring rental costs.
As a result more pressure
has been placed on public housing numbers.
The rising costs are
forcing more people onto the Homeswest waiting list yet the Carpenter
Government failed to cope with the increases. In fact, during their
time in government, Homeswest stock numbers declined instead of
increased.
In August, 2005 John met
with the then Minister for Housing to request the Homeswest building
program in Bunbury be doubled.
That request was
successful however there is still an extreme need for more public
housing in Bunbury and John is looking forward to seeing increases in
coming years through the efforts of the new Minister Housing and
Works.
On a Federal level - John
has also requested an increase in Centrelink’s rent assistance subsidy
from the Federal Government to ease the pressure on pensioners and
others receiving social security. He believes the increase should
reflect the rise in rents rather than the CPI.
Relevant media releases:
Relevant Parliamentary debates and Questions
on Notice:
2 November 2008 |
