The government bodies charged with fixing homelessness in WA are instead feeding the problem by forcing people to live on the street or in temporary backpacker accommodation, shadow homelessness minister Tony Krsticevic says.

Mr Krsticevic said the McGowan government had sold or got rid of more than 1050 social houses and reduced spending by more than $140 million in new housing since coming into power, putting more pressure on people living rough and those at risk of becoming homeless.

The state government has sold more than 1050 social houses that could have homed people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Credit:PA

“They’ve also cut the state contribution to homelessness support services since 2017/18 by over $14 million,” he said.

“That’s why we’ve now got this situation with homelessness being so out of control and homeless people having to be in backpacker lodges and other short term accommodation. But more importantly they’re out on the streets because they’ve actually got nowhere to go.”