Western Australia is facing a worsening housing crisis, with over 210,000 households now finding housing unaffordable, reflecting a staggering 91% increase since 2022.

The crisis has been exacerbated by an influx of 119,000 new residents since 2023, significantly increasing housing demand beyond available supply.

Key factors contributing to this crisis include rapid population growth, sluggish housing supply, rising rents, and construction delays, with no immediate relief in sight.

Currently, Perth is short 7,700 rental homes needed to accommodate the growing population, which has driven median weekly rents up to $740, marking a 76% increase since 2020.

According to a recent report, only 39% of renters and 48% of mortgage holders in Western Australia consider their housing affordable, highlighting the severity of the situation.

The report outlines over 30 recommendations aimed at improving housing affordability, including expanded rental assistance and enhanced homelessness services.

Chronic underinvestment in social housing and persistent shortages have strained support services, revealing significant failures within WA's housing system.

The Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute has noted a 330% increase in priority social housing cases since 2018, with 6,300 families currently in urgent need.

Homelessness has increased by 8% since 2016, with women making up two-thirds of those seeking assistance, and the social housing waitlist has grown to 20,700.

Experts warn that rental relief may take 12 to 18 months to materialize, with costs unlikely to stabilize until 2026, further complicating the crisis.

Alan Duncan, co-author of the report, emphasizes that the housing system's breakdown is failing to meet the needs of ordinary West Australians, despite efforts to increase supply.

Duncan calls for coordinated and urgent action to prevent long-term consequences and ensure secure, affordable housing for future generations.