Short-stay regulation needed immediately to tackle growing housing crisis

Tasmanian Labor

A statewide pause on new permits for whole dwellings to be used for short-stay accommodation is urgently needed to help address Tasmania’s growing housing crisis.

Shadow Housing Minister Ella Haddad said with rental stress already out of control across the state, the reopening of Tasmania’s borders next week will only exacerbate the crisis as the demand for tourist accommodation increases.

“Labor has been calling for regulation of the short-stay accommodation sector to help with Tasmania’s housing crisis for some time, but the government stubbornly rules it out,” Ms Haddad said.

“More than 4,500 Tasmanian families are already on the social housing waiting list, with the average wait time for those most in need blowing out to 78 weeks.

“Meanwhile, the latest figures from the Rental Affordability Index (RAI) show declining affordability in Tasmania’s regional areas for the fifth year in a row, while Hobart has retained its title as the least affordable capital city in which to rent.

“And, today’s Residential Property Price data from the ABS shows Hobart again had the highest annual increase of any of the capital cities, with prices up a massive 25 per cent.

“We are hearing from young people and renters who are losing hope and we’re hearing from parents worried for their children, while the Liberals continue to promise thousands of social housing properties, whilst failing to deliver more than a few hundred.

“This government continues to let down Tasmanians, whether they are looking to buy, rent or need a place in social housing.

“The Liberals need to look beyond politics and traditional solutions and find innovative solutions to this growing crisis – and they could start by introducing effective regulation of the short-stay accommodation sector.”

Ella Haddad MP

Shadow Housing Minister

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