Shelter WA

Shelter WA Shelter WA believes that everyone has a right to a place to call home.

Shelter WA believes that everyone has a right to a place to call home.

- Shelter WA is the peak body in Western Australia that advocates for social and affordable housing and ending homelessness.

- We understand issues through research and consultation.

- We enable our members, sector and partners to build capacity through training, resources, events and projects.

- We lead system reform throu

gh advocacy, collaboration and representation.

- We work with our members and others, to provide a strong voice and lead the development of an effective housing system. Shelter WA brings together a strong coalition committed to diverse and affordable housing choice for all, with a particular focus on housing for people on very low to moderate incomes and groups that experience housing insecurity. Shelter WA undertakes research, engagement, policy development and strong advocacy to drive solutions to build an effective housing system and alleviate housing-related poverty.

“If just 20% of unhosted Airbnbs were returned to the rental market, WA would double its current rental supply.”After 3 ...
05/06/2026

“If just 20% of unhosted Airbnbs were returned to the rental market, WA would double its current rental supply.”

After 3 weeks of releasing data from our report Death By 10000 Cuts, Shelter WA is calling for urgent action to rebalance housing in this state.

Our report outlines 7 key reforms, including:
1️⃣ Enforce the rules already in place
2️⃣ Support councils to restrict STRA where needed
3️⃣ Moratorium on new STRA listings in low vacancy areas
4️⃣ Sustainable Licensing Scheme to reduce STRA numbers over time
5️⃣ Levy on unhosted STRAs to fund affordable housing
6️⃣ Higher tax rates for STRA investment properties
7️⃣ A WA Affordable Rental Housing Scheme to guarantee long term supply

These are practical, proven interventions being used across Australia and globally. WA can act - and must.

the full list of recommendations and read the full report: https://www.shelterwa.org.au/our-work/short-term-rental-accommodation-report-death-by-10000-cuts/

Today we’re celebrating Yvonne Atkinson, Business Manager, and Maddy Farooq, Finance Officer 🎂Wishing you both a wonderf...
05/06/2026

Today we’re celebrating Yvonne Atkinson, Business Manager, and Maddy Farooq, Finance Officer 🎂

Wishing you both a wonderful day filled with happiness, and a fantastic year ahead. Thank you for all the incredible work you do and the positivity you bring to the team every day!
🎈🎁✨

What happens when earning more could potentially put your housing at risk? Join Shelter WA and AHURI for the launch of T...
04/06/2026

What happens when earning more could potentially put your housing at risk?

Join Shelter WA and AHURI for the launch of The eligibility trap: income eligibility limits, work disincentives and social housing in Western Australia - a new research report exploring how current policy settings are holding people back.

This timely study examines how income eligibility limits (IELs) can unintentionally create barriers to employment, discourage workforce participation, and impact housing security for social housing tenants and applicants across WA. Drawing on policy analysis, modelling and lived experience, the findings paint a powerful picture of how these settings are experienced on the ground and where reform is needed.

At this free online webinar, you’ll hear from Shelter WA and AHURI’s Nicola Brackertz as they unpack the research findings, share practical policy recommendations, and explore what this means for the future of social housing in Western Australia.

📅 Tuesday, 30 June
🕚 11:00am – 12:00pm (AWST)
💻 Online | Free

This session is ideal for policymakers, housing providers, community services, and anyone interested in improving housing outcomes in WA.

👉 Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/report-launch-the-eligibility-trap-income-eligibility-limits-in-wa

This research was made possible with funding from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation and Anglicare WA. We also extend our thanks to the lived experience panel for their valuable contributions to this project.

“Multiple listings by single owners are the rule — not the exception.”There’s a common belief that Airbnbs are mostly ru...
03/06/2026

“Multiple listings by single owners are the rule — not the exception.”

There’s a common belief that Airbnbs are mostly run by “locals” or “mum and dad hosts” renting out a spare room.

Our findings show the opposite.
WA’s short‑stay market is dominated by investors and commercial operators:
- 56% of hosts list 2 or more unhosted Airbnbs
- 26% list 2–10 properties
- 12% run 51–155 properties each
- And just 12 owners/entities control 10% of ALL unhosted Airbnbs statewide

Homes that should be available for first‑home buyers or long‑term renters are instead being marketed directly to investors as short‑stay assets - during the worst housing emergency on record.

This isn’t casual hosting - it’s a commercial property industry operating without commercial regulations.

Read the full report: https://www.shelterwa.org.au/our-work/short-term-rental-accommodation-report-death-by-10000-cuts/

Happy Birthday Kaya!Today we’re celebrating Kaya Ottaway our Policy Intern 🎂Wishing you a fantastic day and a year ahead...
03/06/2026

Happy Birthday Kaya!

Today we’re celebrating Kaya Ottaway our Policy Intern 🎂

Wishing you a fantastic day and a year ahead filled with success, growth, and great opportunities. Thanks for the contribution and positivity you bring to the team!
🎈✨

Yesterday marked the beginning of the Makuru season. As each new season begins we spend time researching the season and...
02/06/2026

Yesterday marked the beginning of the Makuru season. As each new season begins we spend time researching the season and its meaning. We were particularly inspired by the following we found at https://www.ecu.edu.au/centres/kurongkurl-katitjin/cultural-leadership/nyoongar-six-seasons/makuru

"The Noongar Season ‘Makuru’ is represented by the colour dark blue as it symbolises rain and cold weather.

Makuru sees the coldest and wettest time of the year in the South West. Traditionally, this was a good time of the year to move back inland from the coast as the winds turned to the west and south bringing the cold weather, rains and occasionally snow on the peaks of the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges.

As the waterways and catchments started to fill, people were able to move about their country with ease and their food sources changed from the sea, estuarine and lake foods to those of the land, in particular the grazing animals such as the kangaroo.

As well as a food source, animals provided people with many other things. For example, the 'yongar' or kangaroo, not only provided meat but also 'bookas' (animal skin cloaks that were used as the nights became much cooler). Nothing was left. Even the bones and sinews were used in the manufacturing of bookas and for affixing barbs to hunting tools such as spears.

Makuru is also a time for a lot of animals to be pairing up in preparation for breeding in the coming season. If you look carefully, you might see pairs of 'wardongs' (ravens) flying together.

Upon the lakes and rivers of the South West, you'll also start to see a large influx of the Black Swan or 'Mali' as they too prepare to nest and breed."

In this season we particularly think of those experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity and how they may be navigating the challenges of the cold and wet months before us.

WA Day takes place on the first Monday in June each year and in 2026 that's today, June 1.It’s a day to celebrate all We...
01/06/2026

WA Day takes place on the first Monday in June each year and in 2026 that's today, June 1.

It’s a day to celebrate all Western Australians, recognising our Aboriginal history, early European settlers and the many from all over the world who have made, and continue to make, Western Australia their home.

It’s a day for each of us to reflect and celebrate all the great things about our people, our lifestyle, our culture and our potential.

“One‑ and two‑bedroom homes account for 52% of all unhosted Airbnbs.”These are the homes most needed by single people, o...
01/06/2026

“One‑ and two‑bedroom homes account for 52% of all unhosted Airbnbs.”

These are the homes most needed by single people, older women and low‑income renters - yet they’re being pulled out of the rental market at scale.

Our report found:
- 5,445 one‑ and two‑bedroom homes are listed as Airbnbs
- Only 840 of these homes exist as private rentals
- That means almost 7 small Airbnbs for every 1 small rental
- One‑bedroom Airbnbs: 2,735 vs only 346 rentals
- Two‑bedroom Airbnbs: 2,720 vs only 494 rentals

These smaller dwellings are essential for affordability and diversity, and they’re disappearing into the short‑stay market faster than any other home type.

Read the full report: https://www.shelterwa.org.au/our-work/short-term-rental-accommodation-report-death-by-10000-cuts/

Yesterday we released the May edition of our e-newsletter, Inside Housing.In this edition you'll find🔸project updates 🔸...
29/05/2026

Yesterday we released the May edition of our e-newsletter, Inside Housing.

In this edition you'll find

🔸project updates
🔸Shelter WA news
🔸budget news from the State and Federal budgets
🔸sector news
🔸events and upcoming opportunities!

Access the latest edition at https://www.shelterwa.org.au/inside-housing-shelter-wa-e-news-may-2026/

“Airbnbs have cannibalised our last remaining affordable suburbs.”WA’s affordable rentals are disappearing... and fast.O...
28/05/2026

“Airbnbs have cannibalised our last remaining affordable suburbs.”

WA’s affordable rentals are disappearing... and fast.
Of 3,753 private rentals, only:
- 151 were under $400/week
- 381 were under $500/week
Across 90 suburbs, only 21 had any rentals in this range.

And the most shocking finding?
For every one rental under $400, there were between 2.5 and 291 Airbnbs.

Short‑stay accommodation is wiping out WA’s remaining affordable housing options, right where they’re needed most.

Read the full report: https://www.shelterwa.org.au/our-work/short-term-rental-accommodation-report-death-by-10000-cuts/

Address

Suite 2, Level 12, 256 Adelaide Terrace
Perth, WA
6000

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4pm
Tuesday 8am - 4pm
Wednesday 8am - 4pm
Thursday 8am - 4pm
Friday 8am - 4pm

Telephone

+61893256660

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