WA Rent Relief Program has helped keep 4,500 WA homes stable in challenging times with the ongoing rental crisis and rising cost-of-living pressures.
More than 4,500 West Australian households have been able to stay in their homes with help from the WA Rent Relief Program, which has now delivered $20 million in payments in just three years. The program supports people who have fallen behind on rent and are at risk of losing their home due to eviction. It provides a one-off payment of up to $5,000, paid directly to the landlord or property manager, to clear rental arrears and future rent. Future rent is paid through a co-contribution model and an agreement from the landlord not to proceed to termination once arrears are paid.
The program is delivered in partnership with Anglicare WA, Vinnies WA and the WA Government, and is designed to help ensure people can stay housed and rebuild a path towards financial stability. In May, the WA Government announced that they will be extending the program until 30 June, 2027.
Since the program began in December 2023, it has:
- Received 11,000 expressions of interest and referrals
- Provided rent relief payments for 4,557 households, totalling $20 million
- Paid an average of $4,397 per household
- Supported household stability for more than 3,500 children
Of the households that received rent relief:
- 58% were headed by women, with 35% being single parents with children
- The largest age group was aged between 36 to 45, followed by 26 to 35, then 46 to 55
- Close to 75% were from the Perth Metro region
Anglicare WA CEO Mark Glasson said the payments give people space to think.
"We hear the personal stories and testimonials of people saying it has absolutely changed their lives. The whole idea is to give people some free air, so they can think about their situation without that continual burden of the threat of losing their home," Mr Glasson said. "We recognise that the WA Government is working hard to address the problem from multiple angles, but it’s taken us a long time to get into this position, and we have a long way to go before things stabilise. We need to make sure we do everything we can to keep people where they are, including keeping Rent Relief in place until the rental market vacancy rate balances between 2.5 per cent and 3.5 per cent.”
Vinnies WA CEO Ann Curran said the program works as an early intervention.
"Every day our teams work with people who are overwhelmed by the crushing combination of high living costs and low rental vacancies. By stepping in to clear arrears, this program removes the terrifying threat of eviction and provides the essential financial breathing room people desperately need to stabilise their lives."
Anglicare WA continues to advocate for renters through the Rental Affordability Snapshot and the Make Renting Fair Alliance.
Worried about your rent?
If you are behind on rent and at risk of losing your home, you may be eligible for the WA Rent Relief Program.
