Spotlight on the housing crisis

SINGLE mother Alanah Fewkes is one of more than 3400 Tasmanians on the waiting list for public housing.

She’s spent almost two years on the list and has applied unsuccessfully for more than 50 private rental properties.

The 26-year-old mum-ofthree is one face of the housing crisis that’s gripping Tasmania.

In a special four-part series from today, the Mercury is exploring the issue of housing availability in the state as part of our Give Them Shelter campaign.

THE first of 27 specially designed social housing units in Hobart for people with a disability will open today.

Sliding doors, extrastrength walls and strengthened ceiling beams, in case hoists are needed in future, are included in the new homes, which are set to be completed mid-next year.

The first home has been finished less than 12 months after the Federal Government committed to a $6 million package to build the specialised homes under the Hobart City Deal last year.

A wider $30 million affordable housing package was announced at the same time to help ease Hobart’s housing crisis.

The first home will open in Glenorchy and is set to be used as urgent, short-term accommodation for Tasmanians with a disability in need of social housing.

The remaining homes will mostly be long-term accommodation.

Assistant Minister for Community Housing and Homelessness

Luke Howarth will be in Hobart to unveil the first home today.

“These units will help alleviate pressure on the local housing system and provide more Tasmanians with access to affordable and secure accommodation,” he said.

It would also help enable more people with disability to live an independent life in a home that meets their needs, Mr Howarth said.

Senator Eric Abetz said assisting those in need was “critical to the long-term liveability of Hobart”.

Urban Infrastructure Minister Alan Tudge said the priority was to ensure access to housing for those most in need.

“Tasmanians also need a diverse range of housing options and we are working towards delivering that,” he said.

Funding agreements are also in place with CatholicCare Tasmania, Community Housing Limited and Housing Choices Tasmania to deliver more than 100 affordable homes in the Greater Hobart region as part of the 10-year City Deal between the federal and state governments and councils.