The Rockliff Liberal Government is continuing to invest in increased accommodation facilities for our young people, helping them reach independence and lead productive lives.
The Government developed the Affordable Housing Action Plan 2019-2023 to help deliver more supported youth accommodation facilities that include integrated education and employment options and develop young people's independent living skills.
''The opening today of the $9.2 million expansion of the Thyne House Youth2Independence facility in Launceston is concrete evidence of that Plan being delivered, Minister Barnett said.
''The addition of an extra 20 residential units will boost Thyne House to 50 units with additional car parking and commercial floor space designed for a social enterprise.
''Tasmanian builder Vos Construction & Joinery Pty Ltd has done a tremendous job architecturally designing the extension to retain all the heritage-listed components of the historic buildings to protect this important piece of Launceston's history.
''The facility currently offers 30 residential units. In addition to providing extra units, the upgrade will also deliver a more functional reception area, living areas, laundries, storage areas and an additional overnight staff unit.
''The new self-contained one-bedroom units will provide more accommodation for young people in Northern Tasmania who are experiencing, or are at risk of experiencing homelessness,'' Minister Barnett said.
The facility is managed by Anglicare Tasmania, which takes a holistic approach to meeting the needs of young people and focuses on empowering them, so they can build better lives for themselves, and achieve genuine independence.
Thyne House is one of three Y2I facilities already successfully providing services to young Tasmanians, along with Trinity Hill in Hobart, and Eveline House in Devonport.
Construction of new 25-unit Y2I facility in Burnie, near TasTAFE, has already started and this will provide 25 independent single-bedroom units, staff accommodation, and communal and associated facilities.
Meanwhile, work is well advanced on a second 26-unit Y2I facility in Hobart. The $17 million project will provide 26 units and a range of amenities next to the TasTAFE campus in Campbell St.
The Tasmanian Government recognises the housing challenges facing Tasmanians and is responding with a historic 10-year, $1.5 billion housing package – the largest housing investment in the State's history.
We committed to building 1,500 social and affordale homes and units by June 2023, and we are well on track with 735 completed as at December 31, 2022.
This is an unprecedented level of funding which will deliver 10,000 new affordable homes and over the next decade to meet the diverse housing needs of Tasmanians, including youth, the elderly, those living with a disability, men, women and families.
If you require housing support or are at risk of homelessness, Housing Connect is best placed to provide assistance appropriate to each individual's circumstances and advise on what assistance could be available for them in their situation. Housing Connect can be contacted on 1800 800 588.
