Housing minister Troy Buswell said current figures showed there were 700 people on the Greater Bunbury waiting list with 180 of those being seniors.

Mayor Smith said the City has not been receiving its fair share of social housing.

“Homeswest are a big component of the affordability issue and their housing program really has to reflect the current demand and the ongoing growth of the region,” Mayor Smith said.

“Bunbury hasn’t been receiving its share.”

Mayor Smith said considering the amount of money raised for the government through developments at Dalyellup, Picton Waters and Glen Iris more should have been reinvested into public housing.

“They should really be using that money to focus on housing in Greater Bunbury,” he said.

“Homeswest have taken more out of Bunbury than they have put in.”

Mayor Smith said he wanted to see more social housing construction going on in Bunbury.

“The waiting lists should be going down not up,” he said.

However the Mayor said the problem has been created through a long period of neglect and did not attribute sole blame with the State Government.

Mr Buswell was in town to announce the State Government had purchased a 32 unit seniors’ accommodation complex.

“This purchase will go a long way to addressing the demand in Bunbury for housing for the over 55s age group,” Mr Buswell said.

“Seniors who are living in larger family homes in Bunbury will be offered accommodation in the new units, which will free up larger family-style homes for families on the public housing waiting list.

“This is part of our strategy to better utilise existing housing stock throughout the State, with the ultimate aim of reducing wait lists for public housing.”

The government has pledged to add 2600 homes to its Homeswest stock over the next two years.