Perth’s priority housing queue hits all-time high as government struggles to build its way out of rent squeeze

The priority list at the top of the State’s queue for public housing has exceeded 8000 for the first time, as the Cook Government struggles to build its way out of a rent squeeze. New figures tabled in Parliament show that the public housing wait list was 23,237 in February, lower than the peak in 2010, but up from 21,480 a year ago. The number of priority applicants, classified as urgent and including rough sleepers and victims of family violence, has surged 18 per cent since February 2025 to reach a record high of 8,023. Shelter WA chief executive Kath Snell said more housing is being built, but it’s not keeping up with the growing number of people unable to afford rent hikes. “Shelter WA members providing homelessness services and community housing are seeing unprecedented levels of need that they simply cannot meet,” she said. “The evidence shows we need a commitment to deliver an additional 5,000 social and affordable homes each year. “We are looking forward to the next State Budget for an even greater investment in solving the housing emergency we are experiencing in WA.” Greens MP Tim Clifford called it the worst housing crisis in generations. “When the Cook Labor government came into power in 2017 there were only 1,500 priority applications,” he said. “Today there are more than 8,000, (it’s) an increase of more than 500%”. The Government announced a major land release in Perth’s north on Wednesday, that will make room for 4,100 homes in Yanchep and Eglington — but not until 2028. Developments by Peet and Satterley will include 300 social homes. The developers wouldn’t weigh in on whether the families that move in will amplify the need for a new hospital in Yanchep. “Any amenity is always good to assist in what we do,” Peet state manager Paul Morgan said. “You maybe should ask that question of others”. Housing and Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey wouldn’t commit to a timeline for a Yanchep hospital, but said Joondalup hospital is being expanded. “I rely on the advice of my of the of the agency,” he said. “We have a massive health infrastructure program, we’ve got to deliver those projects. But you have seen investment in this corridor in health. It’s not like we’ve ignored it.” A new Yanchep East Primary School is due to open in 2028 and Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said Metronet’s new stations at Alkimos, Eglinton and Yanchep have made the area liveable. “Since October 24 to February 26 there’s been a 50% increase in the usage of our train stations,” she said. “What these train stations allow is a bring forward of these developments. It’s a connection to affordable and efficient public transport.” On site works at Eglington are due to start later this year, with sales to open for both sites early next year. Nigel Satterley vowed the ocean view will be affordable. “Early days, we now have a world different situation, but it would be our plan to have homes around just over $500,000 which is nearly half the median price,” he said. “There’ll be a range (of designs). And I would say at that price point, very liveable, two and three bedroom homes.”