Shelter WA has released a new research report, The Eligibility Trap: Income Eligibility Limits, Work Disincentives and Social Housing in Western Australia, funded by Anglicare WA and developed with input from people with lived experience of social housing.
The research examines how income eligibility limits can affect tenants' decisions about employment and whether the current system unintentionally discourages workforce participation.
Key Findings
A central finding of the report is that some people seeking to improve their financial situation can face an impossible choice: employment opportunity or risk losing access to affordable housing.
The research suggests that, for some tenants, earning only a modest increase in income may place them above the eligibility threshold for social housing. While their income increases, the cost of moving into the private rental market may leave them financially worse off.
The report argues that, in these circumstances, the burden of the current system falls on individuals who are trying to improve their circumstances rather than encouraging sustainable employment.
Looking Ahead
The report contributes to ongoing discussions about how social housing policy can better support employment while maintaining housing security for those who need it most.
Read the full research report: The Eligibility Trap: Income Eligibility Limits, Work Disincentives and Social Housing in Western Australia.
