A report from Watson & Associates on housing needs for Perth County has shown an ugly reality for affordability.
County council was presented with study findings during Thursdays meeting which looked into current and future housing needs and help develop housing policies to accommodate residential uses across the county.
Erik Karvinen with Watsons & Associates says over the last 5 years, housing prices and rental rates have increased a rate which is out of reach for locals.
“Housing prices and rental rates have increased at a much faster rate than the average household income and this has eroded housing affordability across the county. Over the 2016-2021 period average dwelling prices in the county increased 59 per cent.” said Karvinen.
In the last 5 years, 68 per cent of housing development activity was seen in North Perth with 18 per cent in Perth East, 12 per cent in West Perth and 2 per cent in Perth South.
Recommendations by Watsons includes to introduce regulatory incentives, financial incentives and focus on higher density development.