Roger Jaensch,Minister for Housing
Today I am pleased to present the Hodgman Liberal Government's Affordable Housing Action Plan 2019-2023, our multi-faceted approach to tackle housing stress and homelessness around the state.
Our new Affordable Housing Action Plan represents Stage Two of Tasmania's Affordable Housing Strategy, and builds upon the work we are doing to increase the supply of houses across the spectrum.
We are investing an additional $125 million for this Plan, bringing the Hodgman Government's investment to almost $200 million over eight years, the largest state government investment into affordable housing in Tasmania's history.
This Plan is about meeting the immediate demand for social and affordable housing. That's why the supply of new homes, delivered through a range of initiatives, remains our focus.
Our new Plan builds on Action Plan One (2015 – 2019) and will deliver an extra 1500 new affordable homes to Tasmanians, creating an estimated 900 jobs in the building and construction industry and boosting our economy.
We have consulted widely in the development of the Plan and incorporated key themes that were discussed at the Housing Summit and Roundtables held in each region.
Over the next four years, the Plan will deliver –
NEW SUPPLY
- More land – supply around 380 new lots for new affordable homes.
- More social housing – 607 new homes, in areas of high demand.
- More homeless accommodation – 88 more units for those in crisis.
- Better planning – to make it easier to build new homes and increase supply.
IMPROVED ACCESS
- More people in home ownership – 287 low income households helped to buy their own homes.
- Supporting people into private rental – 200 tenancies to assist low income households.
- New support for vulnerable – 418 people or families into supported accommodation.
RESPONSIVE SERVICES
- Responsive services – Connecting clients to support services and finding safe and secure accommodation for Tasmanians most in need.
- Better data – The Government will undertake work with UTAS, in consultation with peak housing bodies to update and adjust its projections for housing demand and supply necessary across the spectrum, so that we can ensure key movements are identified early and the investment being delivered under Action Plan 2 is well targeted and responsive.
We are confident that our Strategy, supported by the two Action Plans, combined with the $30 million housing investment under the City Deal, nation-leading building approvals in the private market, and new tourism hotel construction will ease the pressures for Tasmanians currently experiencing housing stress.
Tasmania's Affordable Housing Action Plan 2019-2023 can be found here: www.communities.tas.gov.au/housing/tasmanian_affordable_housing_strategy
