Housing relief but need is ‘desperate’

THE head of a leading housing provider has warned that additional supply is desperately needed to solve Tasmania’s homelessness problem, telling federal Housing Minister Julie Collins that “we can’t do the same as we’ve been doing before” and expect different results.

Housing Choices Australia managing director Michael Lennon was in Hobart on Friday to officially launch the not-for-profit provider’s new social housing project on Marys Hope Rd at Rosetta, which boasts 26 two-bedroom

units and has housed residents since October.

The development is managed in partnership with the Social Services Department and was jointly funded by Housing Choices Tasmania and the federal government.

Being face-to-face with the federal Minister, who was also on hand to launch the development, Mr Lennon took the opportunity to urge Ms Collins – who is the Member for Franklin – to collaborate further with the community sector on projects of this kind.

“We’ve got a progressively bigger number of people renting and, of course, for people looking for public or social

housing, that number has been static or in proportionate decline now for 15 years,” he said.

“So clearly, Minister, we can’t do the same as we’ve been doing before.”

Mr Lennon lauded the Albanese government’s $10bn Housing Australia Future Fund, which will deliver 30,000 social and affordable homes across the country, and said it was crucial that a national plan was being developed to address the housing problem.

“In the interim, while those arrangements are (put) in place, Minister, we are desperate to work with you to deliver relief and supply in whatever way we can,” he said.

Cameron Ferrier, a resident of the Marys Hope Rd project, said the accommodation had “everything” he and his family required.

“It’s made a huge difference, not only mentally, but in all areas for my family,” he said.

“I can’t say in words how much it’s helped us, to be honest.”

Ms Collins said it was vitally important for all three tiers of government to “work together” to address housing shortages.

“Obviously being a Tasmanian

resident, I’m really cognisant of just how big an issue housing affordability is here in Tasmania and here in Hobart, particularly when it comes to the cost of purchasing a home, but also people are telling me how difficult it is to be able to rent a home,” she said.

“And to talk to some of the residents here today, who in the past have been renters, about just how difficult that rental market is, I think, really brings home how important what we’re trying to do with our national plan and our Housing Australia Future Fund really is.”