Roger Jaensch,Minister for Housing
The Tasmanian Government is delivering on our commitment to reduce homelessness and housing stress across Tasmania with the completion of 10 two-bedroom accommodation pods at the Hobart Women’s Shelter.
The pods are on track to be operational next week and will provide a valuable increase to the number of crisis accommodation units available for women and their children who are homeless or escaping domestic violence.
The 10 new pods, together with 18 new single units at Bethlehem House and seven established units for families, are part of the Government’s $5 million Winter Package to extend existing shelters, announced last year.
It will ensure our most vulnerable have access to safe and secure accommodation in their time of need, with support services and assistance to help them secure long-term accommodation.
The pods will also complement other initiatives to alleviate homelessness and housing stress across the state, including our recent $4.3 million investment to provide additional homelessness support through expanded 24-hour Safe Spaces in Hobart, Launceston and Burnie, as well as uncapped emergency accommodation brokerage and support services.
This extends on homelessness supports included in our Affordable Housing Action Plan 2019-2023 and our recently announced $3.1 billion infrastructure and construction blitz that will result in the delivery of 1000 additional social houses over the next three years.
In addition, the expansion of our successful HomeShare program will also add to available housing stock across the state, while supporting jobs and helping Tasmanians in need into their own home.
