Home joy for crisis families

TWO families forced to seek shelter at the Hobart Showground have found homes and will move to new accommodation next week.

A third family, including six children, may also soon be able to move into a home nearby.

Michael Reid, his wife Kathy and two adult sons from Cairns appeared on the front page of the Mercury this week as victims of Hobart’s housing crisis.

The family set up camp at the showgrounds after being unable to find a place to rent. Next week the family will move to a two-bedroom unit in Launceston, after the landlord dropped by to meet them and offer the accommodation.

A separate family — a woman and her two daughters — will move into a three bedroom home nearby next week.

Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania chief executive Scott Gadd said a friend had donated furniture, the landlord had agreed to buy a washing machine, and likely new Liberal MP Sue Hickey had agreed to clean the home over the weekend. They are still searching for a third bed to complete the home.

Mr Gadd said a third home owned by the society was expected to become vacant soon and could house the third family.

He said although some families and couples would remain at the Showground he was pleased the three “priority” cases had found homes.

Mr Gadd said it was important to keep up momentum, particularly with the housing summit scheduled for next week.