Rent rises will hit vulnerable hardest
An Albany pensioner says Homeswest rent increases will hit those who can least afford it hardest.
After a State Government moratorium on Homeswest rent increases ended earlier this year, prices are set to increase in line with renter income.
Albany’s Angelika Pfeiffer has already been told by the Department of Housing that her rent will rise by $22.60 a fortnight from November 7.
Just weeks before she got news of the price hike, Ms Pfeiffer received a $19.50 pension increase from the Federal Government.
Ms Pfeiffer said it was unfair for Homeswest to effectively take away her pension increase.
“It’s an injustice, especially when you look at the rising prices of power, gas, phone bills, fuel and food,” she said.
“This is about the Federal Government generously wanting to improve our circumstances while the State Government grabs for cash.”
Department of Housing affordable housing strategy executive director Greg Cash said rents for public housing were set as a proportion of income (25 per cent in WA), to ensure rents were affordable for all tenants.
“In September 2009 the Federal Government granted single aged pensioners a $60 per fortnight increase in their pension,” Mr Cash said.
“At the request of the Federal Government, State governments agreed to exclude the pension increase from rent calculations for 12 months until September 2010.
“There was no commitment to extend this moratorium beyond that date.
“The Government of Western Australia extended the exemption for a further six months to 20 March, 2011.”
But Ms Pfeiffer said the increase meant she would now have to think twice about enjoying her favourite luxuries.
“My daughter is getting married in Sydney next April,” she said. “I haven’t seen her for four years so the wedding is an absolute must.
“But these are just the things which will make it more difficult to get over there.”
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