The housing crisis in Tasmania is impacting many vulnerable Tasmanians, however new data acquired from the Government shows just how exposed some people are.
It is revealed that there are currently more than 500 women on the Housing Register who have experienced family violence.
523 or 11.6 per cent of the 4,504 applicants languishing on the waiting list are women who have identified family violence as a factor in their need for social housing.
It is unacceptable that some of the most vulnerable members of our community are left waiting in insecure housing, couch surfing, sleeping rough or in some cases, returning to the homes of their perpetrators. These are lives at risk.
The Liberal Government is now left playing catch-up in a sector that they have ignored for 8 years, and these are the real consequences of this level of neglect.
Community groups and organisations have been left struggling to provide the support to women seeking safe housing while fleeing domestic violence. It is beyond time the Liberal Government started to do the heavy lifting.
Tasmanians deserve a Government with foresight, compassion and the ability to deliver on the basic needs of our community.
Jeremy Rockliff and Guy Barnett need to get their priorities right, deliver on their promise to build more homes, and provide safe and secure housing for those who desperately need it.
Michelle O'Byrne MP
Shadow Minister for Women
