Tasmanian Labor welcomes the government’s inclusion of social housing in its COVID infrastructure package but says much more is needed to really turn around the state’s housing crisis.
Shadow Housing Minister Alison Standen said a comprehensive, long-term plan is crucial to finding an effective solution.
“It is pleasing to see the government answering the calls from the housing sector to include social housing as essential infrastructure,” Ms Standen said.
“This will attract greater investment as well as providing the basis for a decent and equitable society.
“But, while the government’s promise to build 1,000 new social housing homes is welcome, it is simply not enough to satisfy demand, which researchers currently estimate is 11,100 new homes.
“We also question the government’s capacity to deliver based on its woeful track record.
“The Liberals have built just 585 new social housing homes in six years – not even a quarter of the 2,400 homes promised over eight years – and there’s been a net decline of around 600 homes since they took office.
“This is not a record that inspires confidence and I urge the Housing Minister to develop a long-term, comprehensive plan to come up with an effective solution, rather than the government’s current piecemeal approach.
The Housing Minister has been given a blueprint to address the housing crisis, in the form of the 61 recommendations in of the .
“Roger Jaensch must revise the and , in light of those recommendations, the Commonwealth debt waiver and the current pandemic.
“And, the government must also take a broader approach to the issue. There has been nothing new in the way of supported accommodation to address homelessness, nothing to addressing housing maintenance, and there is a desperate need for more disability housing.
“The government has made a start. But they must see it through to delivery and they must take a comprehensive approach to the problem so those in need get the help they need.”
Alison Standen MP
Shadow Housing Minister
