WA set for housing shortage

WESTERN Australia may be about 72,500 homes short by 2020 according to a report from Australia's biggest building industry association, the HIA.

The Housing Industry Association's 'Housing to 2020' report examines current and future levels of housing demand and associated requirements for new homes.

HIA WA executive director John Dastlik said WA's aggregate housing shortage currently stands at 17,400 dwellings.

''This shortage is set to worsen without a clear plan from the WA Government to ensure well-located, affordable land is made continually available,'' he said.

''Furthermore, planning restrictions, higher taxation on new housing relative to existing dwellings, labour shortages, and onerous regulation on new housing all add to the problem and constrain growth in new home construction.

''WA's population is expected to reach 4.3 million by 2056, with most people residing in Perth.

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