WA Housing Wait Leaves Dying Woman on Streets

A First Nations woman in Perth, Andrea Woodley, has been battling a severe sepsis infection, triggered by infected blisters from sleeping rough. Her family fears for her life, emphasizing that without secure housing, her recovery is jeopardized.

Woodley, who has been on the priority public housing list since 2023, was discharged from hospital back to the streets. Her mother expressed deep concern that her daughter, who has five children, cannot manage her antibiotics or outpatient appointments in such conditions. The infection has spread to her heart and lungs, with doctors warning it could be fatal.

Advocates, including Dr. Betsy Buchanan, have highlighted that even with urgent medical documentation, the waiting list for public housing in Western Australia remains approximately two years. This stringent adherence to waiting times, without exceptions for critical medical needs, is a major concern for those advocating for vulnerable individuals.

The Western Australian Department of Housing and Works acknowledged the long waiting lists, stating that determining an exact timeframe for property availability is difficult. They confirmed Woodley was a tenant from 2008 to 2023 and that her transfer to Perth in late 2023 placed her on the waiting list for that location.

Recent policy changes in WA, such as banning "no ground" evictions, are seen as positive steps. However, the case of Woodley underscores the ongoing crisis of housing instability and its dire consequences, particularly for First Nations people facing complex health challenges.