WA govt attempts to break housing cycle

A program that aims to help people get out of of the public housing cycle is being trialled.

The Assisted Rental Pathways Pilot will support up to 200 social housing tenants and wait list applicants by placing them in private rental properties for up to four years.

Tenants receive a decreasing rental subsidy and access to support services to help them become financially independent.

Housing Minister Brendon Grylls said the trial was fully subscribed, and took advantage of the current rental market conditions.

Centrecare, The Salvation Army, Outcare and Multicultural Services WA will partner with the Housing Authority to deliver the program, and provide tenants with employment and training services, goal setting, and financial skills.

"Their role will include sourcing suitable rental properties, providing ongoing monitoring and support for participants, as well as undertaking data collection and reporting for Housing's evaluation process," Mr Grylls said.

Properties will be sourced across Perth, Bunbury and Albany, with landlords also benefiting from the program through guaranteed rent for tenancies which could be for up to four years.

At the end of last year there were 17,997 applications on the public housing waiting list, 1955 of which were priority listed.