Housing response failing

POLICIES to address the issues of affordability and shortness of supply have not been enough to ease housing market pressures in Tasmania, a new report has found.

The December Housing Update, from the University of Tasmania’s Housing and Community Research Unit, said the median rent for a home in Hobart had risen 27 per cent in the past three years. The report noted recent research suggesting Tasmania needed 14,200 social housing dwellings over the next 20 years to meet housing need at the lower end of the market. Of those, 11,100 were required to respond to current need.

It also found the time lag between new housing approvals and building was growing, while new legislation governing short-stay accommodation is yet to have a significant effect. The report said there had been a significant increase in the supply of new homes, but they could not overcome the pressures created by population growth and the shortstay accommodation sector.

“There is a growing gap between housing costs and incomes across Australia, and the consequences are felt most acutely by households with low incomes,’’ the report read.

“The most recent research shows increased investment in social housing is the most costeffective solution to improving long-term housing outcomes for these households.”

Labor’s housing spokeswoman Alison Standen said the research showed it was an ongoing struggle for many just to put a roof over their heads.

Ms Standen accused the Government of sitting on its hands.

“Good quality housing is fundamental to the wellbeing of society. If we want to live in a fairer society where people feel valued, we have to make sure that housing meets people’s needs,’’ she said. “Tasmanians deserve better than the current cruel, lazy approach on display from the Liberals.”

But Housing Minister Roger Jaensch said Ms Standen’s claims were “ludicrous”.

“The Tasmanian Government currently provides over 12,500 social housing properties statewide,’’ he said.

“Our first Affordable Housing Action Plan, completed in June, assisted more than 1600 additional households, from homeless accommodation to social housing and affordable home ownership.”

Mr Jaensch said more than 1000 Tasmanian households had been allocated social housing over the past 12 months.