The Opposition has slammed the WA Housing Minister for being a handbrake on social housing as more and more Western Australians are seeking housing assistance.
It follows an announcement by Minister Carey seeking tenders to demolish a dilapidated social housing block in North Beach which has taken five years.
“The Opposition started asking questions last week about why this project hadn’t progressed so it’s interesting tenders to demolish this site have been announced today,” Liberal WA leader Libby Mettam said.
“While any action on social housing is welcomed, it’s extraordinary that this project has been sitting idle for so long while the McGowan Government is stuck on go-slow when it comes to addressing the housing crisis across the State.
“There have been lots of talks about this site but very little action with concept designs supposed to be released in August 2018.
“It is understandably frustrating for neighbours who participated in the so-called extensive engagement five years ago to fix this critical infrastructure but have been left waiting for any real action.
“At a time when so many desperate families and individuals are seeking housing, why has this project been left to languish for so long?”
Shadow Housing Minister Steve Martin said there are at least 300 less social housing properties now than in 2017, yet there appears to be no urgency to improve and increase housing stock.
“The latest figures also show more than 1,800 social housing properties homes across the state are currently sitting empty due to the government’s inability to address the maintenance backlog or expedite new projects,” Mr Martin said.
“Labor has had six years to develop social housing but has failed and is now scrambling to make up lost ground when the building market is overheated.
“Given we have over 33,000 people on the social housing waitlist with 9,000 desperate Western Australians on the priority waitlist it is inexcusable to see the Government stall on this project.
“Meanwhile, the Premier thinks the housing crisis is a sign of a strong economy. It’s an absolute insult to those waiting years on the social housing waitlist while this government sits on its laurels.”
