Guy Barnett,Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing
All Tasmanians deserve a roof over their head and that’s why the Tasmanian Liberal Government is delivering the most ambitious and comprehensive social and affordable housing program in the State’s history.
While our economy and housing markets are strong, we also know that many Tasmanians are still doing it very tough and there is more work to do.
While some people have attempted to misrepresent our Budget commitments, the 2022-23 Budget and Forward Estimates provide $538 million into social and affordable housing and homelessness initiatives, with $204 million this year alone.
This is almost 36 per cent of our ambitious $1.5 billion budget in the next four years.
We will build 1,169 homes this year, meeting our target of 1,500 by June 2023 and rising to a total of 10,000 new homes by 2032 as part of our 10-year $1.5 billion housing package.
We’re investing more than ever before to build social and affordable housing to deliver our target of 1,500 by June 2023.
Safe Spaces is an innovative and vital integrated response for people sleeping rough and it makes a real difference every day to addressing homelessness.
Our 2022-23 State Budget includes $6.85 million to continue to provide Safe Spaces – $3.06 million for Hobart, $1.9 million for Launceston and $1.9 million for Burnie.
However a key message we have heard from those working closely with our homeless every day has been the growing need for support now, especially during winter.
Today the Tasmanian Liberal Government can announce an expansion of our Safe Spaces in Launceston, Hobart and Burnie to provide a further 22 spaces statewide during this winter.
This will ensure that the specialist services provided at these Safe Spaces continue for those most in need and can be expanded to a wider range of people, and will include:
- $71,000 to provide an additional 11 beds per night for the Launceston Safe Space program;
- $54,000 to provide an additional increase of five beds per night for the Hobart Safe Space program to accommodate up to 40 people each night; and
- $20,000 to provide an additional six beds per night for the Burnie Safe Space program.
We are also progressing with our plans to convene a special Ministerial Reference Group bringing together community groups and stakeholders to identify any gaps that exist in our housing and homelessness response and work on collaborative solutions.
The challenges being experienced in Tasmania and indeed across the country are complex and require collective responses.
We want to listen and understand and today I have written to 17 peak bodies, community housing providers and many who provide wrap around services to our most vulnerable to invite them to meet with the Premier, myself and my Parliamentary Secretary, Lara Alexander, on 11 July 2022.
This meeting will be the first on our journey to collaborate on the challenges, with the goal of ensuring all Tasmanians have the opportunity to have a roof over their head and to have safe and secure accommodation.
The Reference Group will include representatives from TasCOSS, Shelter Tasmania, LGAT, Colony 47, Anglicare, Mission Australia Housing, Centre Care Evolve Housing/Catholic Care, Community Housing Limited, Housing Choices Tasmania, Vinnies, Salvos, Hobart City Mission, Launceston City Mission, Housing Industry Association, Master Builders’ Association of Tasmania, Real Estate Institute of Tasmania and the Property Council of Tasmania.
It will advise on solutions with an outcome focus, with the collaboration vital as we establish our new Housing Authority, which is due to commence in October 2022.
The new Housing Authority will be tasked with building and acquiring homes, as well as partnering with the not-for-profit sector to ensure we leave no stone unturned to deliver the stock of houses and meet the growing demand to provide housing and homelessness services for those Tasmanians who most need them.
Legislation to establish the Authority is currently being drafted and will be released for public consultation shortly.
The Tasmanian Government believes that by working together, we can provide more housing opportunities and support services that meet Tasmania’s needs and create a stronger future for all Tasmanians.
