Social services staff left in limbo due to housing crisis

As median house prices in two of the Pilbara’s largest towns continue to skyrocket, the WA Council of Social Service has revealed vital service workers are struggling to find accommodation in the regions. A survey, recently conducted by WACOSS into non-profits and non-government organisations, found social services staff were desperate to find affordable rentals and properties, leading some to homelessness. It found the average cost to rent as a social-service worker in the Pilbara was $500-$600 a week, with many forced to resign because of the cost of living. The survey comes after the Real Estate Institute of WA published its latest statistics, revealing the median sale price in Port Hedland had skyrocketed by 17.4 per cent to $270,000 in the December 2020 quarter compared with the previous year. In Karratha, the median house price for the December quarter is $470,000, an increase of 17.5 per cent compared with its December 2019 value. The median rent had also increased in the two towns, jumping $55 to $550 a week in Port Hedland and by $50 to $700 a week in Karratha. WACOSS Pilbara manager Celeste Stephens said the survey hoped to highlight the issue and find long-term solutions to maintain the industry’s work in rural communities. “We know that the services that the social service provides are really critical for those living across the Pilbara and if we don’t have those services, then the broader community is a loss,” she said. “What we have been hearing is that the sector is really struggling to attain housing in general, and actual properties as well as affordable rentals. “The survey will be looking at understanding the problem and how to address the problem into the future.” Crawford Realty South Hedland sales consultant Erika Maylam said it was “incredible” to experience the market turnaround. “Port Hedland’s property market growth is always strongly associated with the rental market,” she said. “This move (is an incentive for) those tenants who are aware of this market rise to move into the sales market and secure a more permanent and often affordable housing solution.” REIWA president Damian Collins said regional sales markets were showing strong signs of recovery, with mining sectors such as Port Hedland and Karratha leading the way. “This is in part due to the commitment by mining companies to keep their workers in WA as they continue to navigate the COVID-19 travel restrictions,” he said. Mr Collins said there was a decrease in rental stock across regional WA that could be attributed to higher demand and subdued investor activity.