Social Housing Priority Waitlist Continues to Grow

Media Release | 19 November 2025
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David Bolt
Shadow Minister for Housing and Homelessness
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Startling new figures show the priority waitlist for social housing in Western Australia is
growing, not decreasing, despite Housing Minister John Carey claiming he’s ‘pulling
every lever’.

Figures obtained by Shadow Housing Minister David Bolt reveal the number of
applications on the priority waitlist at the end of September was 7755, an increase of
1640 applications in the past 12 months.

In six years, that number has exploded from 1660 (September 2019).
Mr Bolt said the Cook Labor Government was failing dismally when it came to housing
the State’s most vulnerable.

“It is extremely concerning the waitlist for priority tenants, our most vulnerable, has
soared 367 per cent in six years,” he said.

“This situation is putting the already stretched community services sector under even
more pressure to provide support where the Government should be.

“After years of bulldozing and sell-offs, Labor’s record on rebuilding social housing
remains weak. Currently, social housing makes up just 3.7 per cent of the state’s total
housing stock, well below industry targets, the national average and the Government’s
own goal of 6 per cent net increase.

“As a result, not only has the number of applicants soared, but the average wait time on
the priority waitlist has reached a whopping 92 weeks, with many waiting in excess of
three years.”

These figures come on top of a Parliamentary question that shows that 50 complaints a
day are being made to the Housing Authority’s Disruptive Behaviour Complaints line.
Mr Bolt said answers to Opposition questions in Parliament showed 18,366 complaints
were recorded for the 12 months to August this year, a 50% increase from three years
ago.

He said confidence in the public housing sector for tenants and communities was
crucial to the success of this important service.

Mr Bolt said the figures showed the Government was failing to provide enough wrap
around support for some tenants and the communities they reside in.

During the same period, more than 8050 investigations into Disruptive Tenants were
recorded with a peak of 833 in January this year.

“The Department’s own website states every tenant is expected to be a good neighbour,
so it’s important the community has faith in the complaints system to ensure fellow
residents and communities can live and work together in a safe environment and there
is trust in the system,” Mr Bolt said.

“The government needs to rebuild trust with the WA public and many of its own tenants
to prove it can provide safe housing that helps tenants and supports thriving
communities.”

MEDIA CONTACT: Graham Mason | 0419 194 792

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