Social housing: are income limits a poverty trap?

Anglicare WA has partnered on a project led by Shelter WA to understand the impact of social housing income eligibility limits and to identify fairer and better ways forward for our social housing system. The project includes comparing income limits in WA with others across Australia, surveys of social housing tenants to hear their experiences, and the development of recommendations for reform.

But what are income eligibility limits and why do they matter?

In WA, social housing is subject to income eligibility limits which set the maximum amount a person in social housing can earn before they’re considered ineligible. Social housing tenants who earn above this amount will be deemed no longer eligible and required to leave, placing them at risk of homelessness.

Initially established to ensure social housing was available to those most in need, these limits now pose major challenges to social housing tenants who are looking for work and to build a future life for themselves with financial freedom.

For years, social housing tenants have told us how these limits cause them to feel trapped between earning a livable wage and keeping their home. Many have shared how they limit their working hours or avoid returning to the workforce in order to retain their tenancies.

While other states, such as Victoria, have made major structural changes, WA has been left behind. A recent change announced in March 2026 lifted these limits by only $11 for a single-income household. WA’s income eligibility limits are now the lowest in the entire nation – with a single person limited to earning only $551 per week compared to $797 per week in Victoria.

With average waiting times for social housing now sitting at 140 weeks (77 on the priority waitlist), and a skyrocketing rental market putting more and more full-time workers into rental stress, social housing tenants feel the pressure of these limits.

This research project aims to provide direction and next steps that will reform our social housing system so that it is fairer, more equitable and sets tenants up to thrive.

Visit Shelter WA’s website     Learn about Anglicare WA’s housing priorities