Western Australia’s affordable housing crisis has hit a grim new low, with a new analysis of rentals in the state suggesting anyone on JobSeeker, youth allowance or the disability pension was totally locked out of every single private rental in the state.

The latest Rental Affordability Snapshot from Anglicare WA reveals the alarming extent of the affordable housing crisis in Western Australia. The report indicates that the median rental cost for private rentals has surged by 5% to $680 per week, leaving those reliant on government income support — including individuals on JobSeeker and the disability pension — completely locked out of the housing market. Significant findings include the fact that there were no affordable rentals available for anyone on government assistance, and only a minimal number of listings for families reliant on social benefits. Particularly concerning is the case study of Kristy, a single mother facing daunting rent increases and uncertainty about her family's housing stability. The Anglicare chief executive underscores that while the supply of rentals is slightly increasing, it pales in comparison to the demand, highlighting the urgent need for government intervention. Calls for policy reforms, specifically targeting capital gains and negative gearing, illustrate the complex interplay between housing as a human right and an investment vehicle for wealth generation. The stark disparities in rental prices across federal electorates further emphasize the crisis, with the wealthiest suburbs witnessing exorbitantly high rents. Overall, the snapshot paints a grim picture of the housing situation in WA, underscoring the need for systemic changes to safeguard the most vulnerable populations.