Perth police officer earns $111,000 yet cannot afford a home
A WA Police officer earning $111,000 can only borrow $600,000 while Perth homes cost around $1 million.
Sam Collins has worked for WA Police but cannot bridge the gap between what he can borrow and Perth's house prices. Sam Collins's base salary is $111,000, plus shift penalties and overtime, yet his borrowing capacity sits at more than $600,000 to $650,000 maximum.
Perth houses average around $1 million. Collins said he was locked out of the market and could only afford a small apartment in an undesirable area.
More than 60 per cent of essential workers renting in Perth are experiencing housing stress, and three-quarters worry they may never own a home. HOPE Housing, a nonprofit, is expanding into Perth to help essential workers co-invest in homes.
The organisation buys up to half the purchase price while the resident buys progressively over time.
- 111,000 dollars
- Collins base salary
- 600,000 to 650,000 dollars
- Borrowing capacity
- 1 million dollars
- Average Perth house price
- More than 60 per cent
- Essential workers in housing stress
Why it mattersEssential worker shortages threaten cities when police, nurses, and teachers cannot afford homes near their workplaces.
AustraliaPerth property prices are climbing faster than any other Australian capital, pricing out local workers. HOPE Housing is now accepting applicants in WA to help essential workers get onto the property ladder.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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