The Department of Housing was processing applications for two and three bedroom houses from October 2003 in March this year.

The non-urgent waiting time for larger houses, seniors and singles was four years or more.

Last week it was revealed there were 700 people on the Homeswest waiting list in Bunbury.

Shadow housing minister Mark McGowan said there has been huge growth in the Homeswest waiting list since the government took office.

"Bunbury will feel it more than most places," he said.

"It is a growing city."

Mr McGowan said the government’s decision to abandon the shared equity scheme did not help.

"There are no alternative options," he said.

"We had alternative options for people to own their own houses.

"(The shared equity scheme) was designed to get people out of public housing and into their own home ... they have abolished that and it has made the situation worse."

Bunbury MLA John Castrilli was openly critical of the opposition’s commitment to social housing when Labor was in power and said it was still a priority for him.

"I have spoken to Troy Buswell about the waiting list for public housing, which is growing due to the complex social and economic factors facing the whole of WA," he said.

"He has put a range of measures in place aimed at providing more stock, freeing up existing homes and using assets better, including reviewing people’s eligibility for public housing.

"The issue of public housing is still very important to me."

Mr Castrilli said Mr Buswell had set up a taskforce to address social housing strategies.

"I look forward to hearing the outcomes," he said.