The State Government continues to turn its back on Tasmanians living in housing stress, despite a further decline in housing affordability.
New figures from the Real Estate Institute of Australia show rental affordability in Tasmania is the worst in the nation, with Tasmanians spending around one-third of their income on rent, and that cost jumping almost two per cent since December 2018.
Shadow Housing Minister Alison Standen said while the government promised 2,400 new affordable homes over eight years, it has delivered just 585 at the six year mark.
“Taking into account asset sales and other stock losses, social housing stock has actually declined by 598 homes between June 2014 and June 2019,” Ms Standen said.
“It’s hard to see how they can deliver on any promise on housing, when they’ve failed so dismally to deliver a net increase of even one house in the past six years.
Roger Jaensch today confirmed the Liberals have no plan to help ease Tasmania’s housing crisis, other than to steal ideas from the Parliamentary Inquiry which he didn’t support.
“Labor is taking a proactive approach to addressing rental affordability, including calling for a pause on short-stay accommodation in areas of rental stress and releasing our landmark Housing Works policy, which will fast track the building of 490 homes to be offered at reduced market rent.
“Labor’s Free TAFE policy will get young Tasmanians into jobs where they’re needed most, particularly in the building and construction sector.
“Labor has a plan to get Tasmanians off waiting lists and into homes. Until the Liberal Party takes this issue seriously and develops a real plan to tackle housing affordability, Tasmanians will continue to suffer.”
Alison Standen MP
Shadow Housing Minster
