Perth Mother of Two Faces Homelessness as WA Housing Crisis Intensifies
A single mother from Perth's northern suburbs is confronting the terrifying prospect of living on the streets with her two young children within days, as Western Australia's housing crisis reaches a critical breaking point. Laura McCalmont, a resident of Mariginiup, has expressed deep fear and frustration, accusing the government of failing her family by leaving them with no viable housing options as their current accommodation is slated for demolition.
Desperate Living Conditions and Impending Eviction
For nearly two years, McCalmont and her children have endured substandard living conditions in a granny flat in Mariginiup. The family has been without gas or running hot water and has shared a single bedroom, a situation McCalmont describes as a last resort. "This is just what we've had to resort to," she told 7NEWS. "We're being forced to the streets." The property is due to be demolished and redeveloped into housing, giving the family just days to find alternative shelter.
Past Trauma and Current Struggles
McCalmont's current plight is compounded by a history of hardship. Four years ago, she escaped domestic violence to ensure her children's safety, only to now face homelessness again. "I left and I kept us safe so that I could keep my children. Now I'm homeless, my children are homeless, and that is not safe," she said. Despite being on the public housing priority list since 2024, the Department of Housing and Works has indicated that it is still processing applications from as far back as 2021, citing limited available properties.
Government Response and Opposition Criticism
Housing Minister John Carey stated that the government has offered McCalmont access to support services and encouraged her to continue engaging with them. However, McCalmont reports that she has been liaising with these services for over two years without any tangible results. She has been informed that emergency housing is at full capacity, with the best offer being a two-night hotel stay. "And then I don't know. I don't know. I do not know. I don't have a solution. I have a tent," she lamented.
Deputy opposition leader Libby Mettam criticized the government's handling of the crisis, noting that the overall increase in social housing stock has been less than 1 per cent since the current administration took office. McCalmont echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. "The time for action has passed. There needs to be a solution now," she asserted.
Broader Implications of the Housing Crisis
This case underscores the severe and growing housing shortage in Western Australia, affecting vulnerable families across the region. The delays in public housing allocations and the lack of emergency options highlight systemic failures that require immediate attention. As more individuals and families face similar struggles, the call for effective government intervention and increased housing supply becomes increasingly urgent.
