Entire suburbs across Western Australia have been left without a single long-term rental property as Airbnb and other short term accommodation continues to dominate the housing market, according to research by Shelter WA.

The organisation’s new report titled Death By 10,000 Cuts,  found that there was almost three un-hosted Airbnbs, compared to every one long-term rental available across the state, with regional areas recording ratios as high as 201 short-stay listings to zero rentals.

The report analysed 88 localities between March and September of 2025 and found more than 10,400 un-hosted Airbnb listings compared to roughly 3,700 private rentals.

In the outer suburbs of Perth, Mundaring had around 31 Airbnb listings with no long term rentals available at all being the worst in the metro area.

A similar story in Bassendean, with 11 short term stays, compared to zero long term rental properties.

Regional areas were hit the hardest with places like Gingin, Dandaragan and Nannup were locations where in some cases hundreds of Airbnb listings exist and no rental options.

Shelter WA CEO Kath Snell said the findings exposed the impact that short-stay accommodation was having on the states housing crisis.

“These findings expose the short-term rental market’s toll on WA’s severe rental crisis,” Ms Snell said.

“While people desperately search for a place to live, more than 10,000 properties are being used for holidays and short stays instead of safe, long-term homes.”

The report also found that smaller, affordable homes are disappearing off the market rapidly, with more than half of all available Airbnb unhosted homes being one or two-bedroom properties.

At the same time, emergency relief organisations say more Western Australians are struggling to afford everyday essentials as living costs continue to rise.

New figures from St Vincent de Paul Society show that demand for emergency relief has skyrocketed, with the organisation recording an 18 per cent rise in calls in the first four months of this year.

Vinnies WA CEO Ann Curran said the cost-of-living crisis was pushing more households to breaking point.

“We are hearing from more people who never would have imagined they would need to ask for help; from working families, single parents, people juggling rent, bills and groceries, and many who are simply one payslip away from crisis” Ms Curran said.

Rockingham was recorded to have the largest demand for relief in the metro area, with areas like Armadale, Midland, Kwinana and Joondalup also included.

Ms Curran said many households were being forced into impossible financial decisions as winter approached.

“Heading into winter, many people are forced to make difficult decisions, and often this means choosing between heating their homes, putting food on the table or paying their rent,” Ms Curran said.

For immediate homelessness assistance in Western Australia, call Entrypoint Perth at 1800 124 684 or Crisis Care at 1800 199 008.