The Rockliff Liberal Government is helping more Tasmanians in need of housing services as we work towards ending homelessness in partnership with Homes Tasmania and our community housing partners.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's Specialist Homelessness Services Annual Report 2022-23, shows the State's specialist homelessness services are helping more Tasmanians in need.
Minister for Housing and Construction, Nic Street was positive saying that this is the result of the Rockliff Liberal Government's long-term plan of increasing supply in action.
"I am pleased to announce that the latest data in the AIHW's report shows our Government's long-term housing plan is making a difference and helping more Tasmanians in need," Minister Street said.
"The report shows that the State's specialist homelessness services agencies supported almost 2,300 Tasmanians in 2022-23.
"On an average day, 340 people were able to access crisis accommodation in 2022‑23, up nearly 10 per cent on the previous year, reflecting the increasing number of crisis accommodation units available.
"The report also shows that fewer Tasmanians needed to access specialist homelessness services during 2022-23, and the number of support periods also fell.
"Every Tasmanian deserves a roof over their head, the Rockliff Liberal Government is taking action to ensure this occurs."
During the past 12 months the Rockliff Liberal Government has delivered a range of new crisis and transitional accommodation facilities for Tasmanians in need, including:
- 15 more units at the Launceston Women's Shelter, more than doubling their capacity to help women in need;
- the 50-bed Bethlehem House for homeless men in Hobart;
- a 23-unit crisis and transitional accommodation facility for young people in Burnie; and
- an eight-bed shelter for homeless men with or without children in Devonport has just been completed.
Minister Street said that the Government's sustained focus on increasing housing supply has seen a significant boost to the supply of social housing around the State, with more than 650 new long-term homes delivered in the past year.
"More supply is on its way, with 826 dwellings in Homes Tasmania's pipeline of works, which includes new social housing, supported accommodation and homeless accommodation projects as at the October housing dashboard," he said.
"Our Government is committed to tackling homelessness and ensuring we can deliver safe, appropriate and affordable housing for all Tasmanians."
We encourage anyone who is homeless or is at risk of homelessness to contact Housing Connect on 1800 800 588.
