The second shocking report in under a week has again underlined the need for urgent government action to provide some relief to Tasmania's renters.
The Domain Rental Report has found Hobart remains in the grip of a rental crisis, with other areas around the state also facing severe rental pressure.
The report shows rents remain at record highs, up 9.1 per cent for the year - although the increase is much higher in some regions, including 18.8 per cent in Devonport, 19 per cent in South Launceston and an astonishing 25 per cent in Queenstown.
Over the past five years, rents have increased by a massive 60 per cent in Brighton, 66.7 per cent in Queenstown and 67.5 per cent in Rokeby.
The report says tenants have faced "multiple years of rising rents and ruthless conditions to find a home", after almost a decade of inaction and complacency from the State Government.
The lack of affordable housing is pushing more and more Tasmanians to the financial brink, with thousands facing homelessness as costs continue to rise - a shocking situation in a week when parts of the state are bracing for severe weather and potential flooding.
All Tasmanians deserve the basic human right of a place to call home but this government is more concerned about building an unnecessary $750 million stadium than building the homes that are desperately needed.
After years of failing to get the basics right on housing, this government needs to act now to ease the rental crisis in Tasmania.
Ella Haddad MP
Shadow Minister for Housing
