Western Australia's social support and housing sectors are under examination, with recent developments highlighting the challenges faced by vulnerable residents and the services designed to assist them. A Perth mother is involved in an eviction dispute with a community housing provider, underscoring complexities within the social housing framework. Concurrently, a charity in south-east Perth is facing potential closure after a federal funding cut, impacting its ability to provide essential assistance amidst increasing demand due to rising living costs.
Individual Eviction Case and Social Housing System Challenges
Perth resident Nicola Torres is facing eviction from her Forrestfield community housing property, managed by Foundation Housing. A scheduled eviction by a bailiff did not occur as planned.
Foundation Housing CEO Chris Smith stated that in February 2025, the organization requested proof of Ms. Torres's income to confirm her eligibility for the property and discounted rent, asserting that this information was not provided.
Foundation Housing cited over $6,000 in arrears, property conditions, and a lack of engagement as reasons for the eviction proceedings. The organization stated that eviction is a last resort after internal efforts and tenant engagement. An alert regarding alleged abuse of staff by Ms. Torres was also indicated, which Foundation Housing states prevented staff from attending the property.
Ms. Torres disputes falling behind on rent and states she was not offered tenancy support. She also stated she does not recall a February request for income verification but provided the information at a later time.
While denying abusing staff, Ms. Torres acknowledged one instance of being upset by phone after a staff member allegedly missed a scheduled inspection for which she had taken unpaid leave. During this period, Ms. Torres reported experiencing mental ill-health and issues with email communication, which she suggested may have contributed to missed warnings about her tenancy. Ms. Torres disputes receiving tenancy support from Foundation Housing.
Social housing initiatives aim to provide stable housing for individuals and families who might otherwise be unable to afford market rates. While the system provides tens of thousands of homes annually in Western Australia, several hundred people are evicted each year.
Shelter WA, the peak body for housing and homelessness services in WA, advocates for increased state government funding for specialist tenant support services.
Shelter WA CEO Kath Snell emphasized the importance of such services to help tenants manage finances and other challenges, thereby reducing the risk of homelessness and eviction.
Housing Minister John Carey stated that the state government funds a range of support services that individuals can access, and it is the responsibility of the individual to engage with these services. Research suggests that engagement with support services can be complex for individuals facing multiple challenges, with many seeking help only in emergency situations. Ms. Torres and her children are expected to relocate.
Funding Cuts Impact Community Support Services Amid Cost-of-Living Crisis
Wattle House, a charity operated by Mission Australia in south-east Perth, faces potential closure after losing federal funding in October. The service provides food and financial assistance for rent, medicine, clothes, fuel, and other necessities.
Program manager Leanne Jayaseela reported a fourfold increase in demand for Wattle House's services over the past two years, amid a cost-of-living crisis. Ms. Jayaseela stated that staff are increasingly having to turn people away due to limited resources.
Eighty-one-year-old Elizabeth Wright, who had been relying on Wattle House for assistance after falling behind on rental payments and receiving an eviction notice, highlighted the service's impact.
"Wattle House was critical in preventing me from becoming homeless," stated Elizabeth Wright.
Single mother-of-six Nyabuony also utilized Wattle House after arriving in Western Australia without housing following an abusive relationship. She noted that assistance has become more sporadic since the funding loss. The service had previously helped her furnish her home, provided food and vouchers, and connected her with financial counselors and TAFE.
A Lotterywest grant is currently enabling Wattle House to operate at a limited capacity, but its future beyond mid-year is uncertain.
The WA Council of Social Services found that single-parent families in the region are facing a weekly shortfall of $90 for basic costs, while renting pensioners face a $70 shortfall. Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates that annual living costs for all household types increased by 2.3 to 4.2 percent last year, primarily driven by higher housing and food expenses. A Department of Social Services spokesperson confirmed that funding for emergency relief has increased nationally and that the south-east Perth region will receive support from other emergency relief providers.