The West Australian

Rents in Perth are soaring faster than any Australian capital city, forcing some households on $160,000 annual salaries to find alternative shelter by sleeping in cars.

New data revealed advertised rents in Perth have risen 19 per cent in the past year and 4 per cent in the past three months – the highest of the capital cities.

Shelter WA, which analysed the latest SQM Research Weekly Rents Index data, found parts of regional WA were also experiencing the largest rent rises in the country.

Urban Development Institute of Australia CEO Tanya Steinbeck said state and federal governments played a “critical role” in working to fix the chronic housing shortage.

“WA needs to ensure it is front of the pack when seeking to secure funding support through the National Housing Infrastructure Facility and in 2024, the Housing Australia Future Fund,” she said.

To read the article in full, including further comments from UDIA WA CEO Tanya Steinbeck, click here.