Urgent action needed to address homelessness in Tasmania

Tasmanian Labor
  • Tasmania’s housing crisis more evident than ever
  • Desperate need for more affordable housing
  • Government needs to adopt Labor’s Housing Works policy
  • The Government needs to work harder to address the state’s housing crisis and help the 1,600 Tasmanians who are homeless on any given night.

    Shadow Minister for Housing Alison Standen said the state’s housing crisis was evident prior to COVID-19, but the impact of the pandemic has resulted in more Tasmanians seeking help.

    “This pandemic has left many Tasmanians in financial hardship and I am hearing from shelters across the state facing increased demand for their services. These shelters are at capacity and are having to turn people away every night,” Ms Standen said.

    “People are often sleeping in cars, couch surfing and relying on the kindness of friends and family for a roof over their heads – it’s no way to live.

    “With temperatures expected to plummet this week, this highlights the need for urgent action to flatten the curve of homelessness in Tasmania and get people off the streets and into secure housing.

    “Labor launched its Housing Works policy prior to the pandemic which would fast track the building of 490 more affordable homes and deliver 550 new jobs including 75 apprenticeships during the construction phase.

    “Housing Works also commits to supporting community housing providers to make these newly constructed homes available at a reduced, affordable rental price.

    “The Housing Works policy is an important part of Labor’s COVID-19 Recovery Package which formed the basis of Labor’s submission to the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council.

    “We know that housing ends homelessness and the government needs to adopt Labor’s policy and show its commitment to the growing number of Tasmanians facing homelessness.

    “We are also calling on the Housing Minister to adopt the 61 recommendations of the House of Assembly Select Committee on Housing Affordability.”

    Alison Standen

    Shadow Minister for Housing

    /Public Release. View in full here.