Data finally released by the Gutwein Government today shows the public housing waiting list has blown out by more than 220 as families continue to receive no help from failed Housing Minister Roger Jaensch.
Shadow Housing Minister Alison Standen said 3,594 families were now languishing on the waiting list in the September 2020 quarter - an increase of 221 from the previous June reporting period.
Ms Standen said the average waiting time for Tasmanians requiring a roof over their heads still stood at beyond a year at almost 64 weeks in a massive fail by the Gutwein Government and Minister Jaensch.
"Asking families to couch surf, to stay with relatives or friends or to pitch a tent for beyond a year is cruel and uncaring and is a sweeping indictment on a government that has proven - yet again - that it just does not care about Tasmania's most vulnerable," Ms Standen said.
"When the Liberals assumed government more than six years ago, the housing wait list was at a record low of 20 weeks and Mr Jaensch and his colleagues have abandoned families in real and often desperate need.
"This is a Minister and a government that has completely failed in the central responsibility of housing Tasmanians.
"This Minister only recently admitted he has delivered a net increase of only five new social housing properties over the past year and he has no plan for meaningful and lasting reform of a housing system in crisis.
"Rental affordability continues to decline and despite mounting calls to regulate the short stay accommodation sector, this hands-off government refuses to intervene to relieve housing stress."
Alison Standen MP
Shadow Housing Minister
