It is June 2024 and a constant headline in the Australian media landscape is the housing crisis. Rents are sky-high and many people struggle to buy homes because of supply levels, interest rates and general affordability.
Housing was the topic of my Mum’s fourth letter to The Runcorn Weekly News, published on 24th November 1966, three months after our arrival in Perth, Western Australia. The article’s headline is very relevant today although the housing ‘system’ is different. In the 1960s and 70s, there was far more government investment in public and social housing. Mum also wrote about furniture and other home contents.
We spent our first few years in Perth renting in the beachside suburb of Cottesloe and my first school was Cottesloe Primary. I so wish Mum and Dad had purchased a home in the area but, according to Mum, prices were too expensive. Today, the median price for a house in Cottestloe is A$3.4 million (source: Realestate.com). Mum and Dad may have needed an extra few thousand than what they spent when they eventually did buy a home, but wow, think of that growth!!
Housing can be a problem
“The migration officer at the interview lets you know that there is no difficulty in obtaining rented accommodation. What they don’t tell you is that rents charged for a flat are high by comparison to English rents. A flat in a house costs around £6 10s; in a block they are £7 to £8 and furnished houses can be rented from £10 to £15 and over.
“Many prospective landlords require bonds, usually a payment of £10 to £50, and often they want to see tenancy references. It is fairly difficult to get accommodation if you have young children. Anyone really trying could get fixed up but it requires a lot of looking.
Different Terminology
“Housing language also differs: A house here is what we call in England a bungalow, homes with an upstairs are known as two-storey houses, a block of flats is a ‘multiplex’ and a semi-detached is a ‘duplex’. Each flat in a block is called a ‘home unit’.
State Housing Commission
“A house can be obtained for a deposit of £200 – £250 through a scheme controlled by the State Housing Commission. The waiting period varies depending on the area chosen for the home.
“When your turn comes you are then invited to go and choose the house design you like. These houses have two or three bedrooms and a bathroom with a shower. All new houses have a laundry, a small room with a stainless steel sink, space for a washing machine and a power point. The back door into the garden usually leads from this room.
“State houses can also be rented but the waiting period is longer and in cases of hardship the rents are assessed on income.
Buying privately
“Buying privately, asbestos and tin homes, or wooden ones can be bought for a £400 – £500 deposit but these tend to be older houses as brick and tile are extensively used now.
“Some housing companies have schemes for sponsoring migrants, who have £1,000 Sterling, to come out with the view of buying one of the companies’ houses. They provide a flat while you find employment and decide about a house.
“This is a good scheme as houses vary in style and price on all estates. Estates are well planned with plenty of space between houses. The roads are built first and one company lays the lawns and plants the shrubs and trees in the gardens and even puts curtains up in the windows. The houses are thus ready to move into without all the worry of having to do the outside.
House and land
“Another way to get a house is to buy the land first then choose the design of the house and the company you wish to build it. Providing the land is paid for the house can then be built at no further deposit. Anyone coming to Australia with a small capital would find that they could get well planned houses quite easily.
Furnishing your home
“Scandinavian made furniture is probably the best but is rather expensive. Some Australian furniture is good but this too tends to be expensive. Cheap modern styled furniture is available but it is poorly finished. Anyone with good English furniture is advised to bring it with them.
“Refrigerators are well designed, incorporating all the latest ideas, and can be bought in any size. A ten cubic fridge costs about £110 but bargaining goes on a lot and if you’re good at it you can usually get a few pounds knocked off big items.
“There is more trade in second-hand goods, a fair price being offered when you trade in your old goods for the latest models. This makes second-hand goods expensive and keeps up the price of new items.
Television and Radio
“Televisions still tend to be expensive but designs are modern. Although there are still quite a lot of the old type around, a popular size is 25 inch and these cost around £100.
“Televisions can also be rented from ten shillings a week. Television is fairly new here having just celebrated its seventh year. There are three channels, including two commercial, and programmes start at midday often with a feature film. Radio has seven stations mostly beating out popular music and advertisements.
Perth Life in 1966 – Check out the other articles in this series:
Letter 1 – Flight Across the World
Letter 2 – Cost of Living
Letter 3 – Employment
Letter 5 – Beaches