A new report showing Hobart rents are more expensive than Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth underlines the crisis facing renters across Tasmania and the need for urgent action.
PropTrack's latest Market Insight shows renters in Hobart are paying a median rent of $500 a week - 6.4 per cent more than the same time last year - or $26,000 a year.
Those renting a house pay even more - $540 a week - a rise of 8 per cent on last year.
The situation isn't much better in regional Tasmania, with median rents rising 11.1 per cent in the past year, to $400 a week.
To make matter worse, rental vacancy rates remain too low, Master Builders have forecast a prolonged slump in new housing starts and Tasmanians earn the lowest incomes in Australia, increasing the pain for the average renter.
These figures highlight the stress thousands of Tasmanians are under just to keep a roof over their heads.
All Tasmanians deserve the basic human right of a place to call home but, under this government far too many are missing out and too many others are facing homelessness as costs continue to rise.
When it comes to housing, the Liberal government continues to talk the talk but has shown no ability to walk the walk, failing to deliver their promised increased housing stock or any cost-of-living relief for Tasmanians.
The Housing Minister Guy Barnett needs to spend less time on photo opportunities and more time delivering what he and his predecessors have been promising for years.
Ella Haddad MP
Shadow Housing Minister
