ORIGINAL Bridgetown and Blackwood members from the state-wide Renters Alliance have sparked a rally on parliament in which thousands are expected to attend to fight for the rights of renters.
The Renters Alliance started several months ago in WA and has been swamped with emails and calls from distressed renters.
Renters Alliance spokesperson Lea Keean said thousands had expressed interest in the rally which was slated to rally State Parliament on August 15 from midday.
Two Bridgetown renters will be at the heart of the peaceful protest with Louise O'Shea and Jenny Kaeshagen among the event speakers.
"Rights for renters just don't exist; what's out there in terms of our rights is just a mirage," Ms O'Shea said. "If we don't pay the rent in any one week, we can well and truly be out on the street.
"Times are getting tougher and when families can't afford to pay for a trailer load of firewood for the cold winter ahead, well then I think it's time we start to rethink our moral compass."
The Donnybrook-Bridgetown Mail recently wrote about two Bridgetown families who couldn't afford firewood and for whom just about all of their income went on rent and food.
Ms Kaeshagen added it was high time the conversation about renters' rights began in earnest and that the conversation needs to involve realtors, investors and renters.
South West Blackwood-Stirling MLA Terry Redman said he readily acknowledged housing affordability, whether for renters or buyers, was the biggest living issue for most Australians.
"Pressure on the Perth rental market is clearly having a flow-on effect in country areas including the Warren Blackwood region," he said.
"This is why a major focus of the Royalties for Regions program is on stimulating regional economies to create more opportunities for both full and part-time employment."
Collie MLA Mick Murray said housing needs were the main concern of his constituents.
The Renters Alliance said anyone who would like to contact or join the group should email rentersalliance@humanrights alliance.org
