Society to help deliver WA rent relief program

St Vincent de Paul Society WA has welcomed the Western Australian Government’s announcement of a $24.4 million Rental Relief Grant program to help state residents at risk of homelessness as they struggle to afford soaring rent prices.

The program was announced on Wednesday at Vinnies head office in Canning Vale by Premier Roger Cook, Commerce Minister Sue Ellery and Housing Minister John Carey.

It is expected that up to 4,500 households will be assisted by the WA Rental Relief program to be co-designed and delivered by Vinnies WA, Anglicare WA and partner agencies.

Premier Roger Cook said his Government was committed to delivering cost-of-living relief and supporting Western Australians who are doing it tough.

‘The WA Rent Relief Program will help to keep a roof over the head of families that have hit hard times, helping them to get back on their feet,’ he said.

SVDP WA CEO Susan Rooney, who has been at the forefront of advocating for a rent relief program alongside other organisations, said the announcement was welcome news for vulnerable West Australians.

‘Across the board, through our Emergency Assistance and Support program and our Financial Counselling services, we are seeing an increase in demand for our services, including 350 calls a day for emergency assistance from across WA,’ Ms Rooney said.

‘The Rent Relief program is an important addition to the measures we have to address cost-of-living pressures for West Australian families.’

The program is expected to start in the coming months and run until June 2025. 

Read the Summer 2023 edition of The Record