Building more affordable homes is a key priority for the Tasmanian Liberal Government so we welcome today's announcement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of an immediate $2 billion funding boost to increase social housing in Australia.
We know that increasing supply is the only long-term solution to demand pressures, which is why we are responding with the biggest housing plan in the state's history - $1.5 billion over 10 years to build 10,000 social and affordable homes.
"I attended National Cabinet on Friday and all state and territory leaders agreed with the Prime Minister that increasing supply was an imperative," Premier Rockliff said.
Guy Barnett, Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing said he would be working with Homes Tasmania to ensure additional funding that flows to Tasmania delivers homes for those most in need.
"We established Homes Tasmania to be agile and innovative in looking at new housing options, opening up land quicker and specifically addressing the housing needs of Tasmanians, including youth, the elderly, those living with a disability, men, women and families.
"Our top three priorities are supply, supply and supply and this funding will help Homes Tasmania deliver that," Minister Barnett said.
The Social Housing Accelerator funding in addition to the National Housing Accord which has a range of immediate actions to deliver a pipeline of housing supply to increase affordability.
"Tasmania is already well progressed on actions under the Housing Accord in areas such as land release and rezoning for social and affordable housing, working with local governments to increase land supply and our construction industry to build energy efficient homes," Premier Rockliff said.
We are also delivering a range of other measures designed to build more houses and make it easier for all Tasmanians to get into the market by:
- Our shared equity program, MyHome
- Ancillary Dwellings Grants Program
- Private Rental Incentives Scheme and Affordable Rental Initiative trial.
- Headworks Holiday Program
- First Home Owners Grant Extension
- First Home Buyer and Pensioner Duty Concession
The Tasmanian Liberal Government has a plan to build a stronger economy and a safe and caring community. Additional Commonwealth funding announced today will assist us to deliver what is the most ambitious social and affordable housing plan in the nation.
