HOUSING stress, mental health concerns and the cost of healthcare have been identified as the top issues affecting residents in the electorate of Hasluck, according to a new report by the Salvation Army.

The findings are part of the organisation’s 2025 social justice stocktake, which surveyed nearly 16,000 people nationwide to understand the biggest challenges facing local communities.

In Hasluck, 83 per cent of participants said housing affordability and homelessness were the most urgent social justice issues in their area.

The most recent modelling cited in the report, produced with 2021 ABS data, showed the electorate has an unmet housing need of 2900 dwellings, with limited supply and rising costs pushing more people into financial strain.

“Not having a safe and secure home makes every part of life more difficult,” the report said.

Mental health followed as the next highest concern, with 46.5 per cent of people in Hasluck identifying it as an issue for the community and themselves.

The report said many residents are struggling to access timely mental health care and that conditions were often linked with broader financial and social hardship.

Healthcare access was identified as a key challenge by 35.8 per cent of those surveyed.

Just 44.8 per cent of GP clinics in Hasluck bulk bill, and out-of-pocket costs in the electorate average $41.39 per appointment, according to Cleanbill data cited in the report.

“The best possible clinical care will be less effective if a person is living in their car or unsafe in their home,” it stated.
Other major concerns included financial hardship reported as concerning 55.7 per cent of respondents, alcohol and drug use at 41.5 per cent, and family violence 35.8 per cent.

The report said rising cost of living has been on the minds of Hasluck residents and young people are experiencing higher rates of poverty when compared to the rest of the state, according to a 2024 report commissioned by social services provider UnitingCare Australia.

“Though the overall child poverty rate in Western Australia is 16.4 per cent, it is much higher in some areas, for example the area of Maddington, Orange Grove, Martin in Hasluck, where the child poverty rate is 26.6 per cent,” the report said.

“Roughly 6040 people living in Hasluck are reliant on JobSeeker or Youth Allowance.
“The rates of both of these payments are demonstrably too low and have the unintended consequence of trapping people in poverty.”

The report also said 8.1 per cent of people in Guildford were experiencing unemployment in March 2024.

While the report acknowledged the complexity of the issues raised, it said residents were looking for meaningful change.

“Remove the dole bludger, welfare cheat (accusations) out of the conversations and look at implementing a living wage,” the report said.

“This will help more people lead meaningful lives.

“Instead of demonising people, support them and build capacity, not tear them down.”