The number of Tasmanian women on the Housing Register living with disability has nearly doubled in the past five years, impeding their full access to the NDIS and increasing their risk of domestic violence.
In response to questions on notice from Labor, the Housing Minister Guy Barnett says the number of women applicants living with disability has jumped from 494 in 2017-18 to 867 at the end of September this year.
Without housing, these women face limited access to their full NDIS services, including physiotherapy and occupational therapy in the home, making them even more vulnerable than they already are.
Not only that but, out of 4,504 housing applicants in total, 523 or 11.6 per cent have experienced family violence.
The housing crisis is impacting so many vulnerable Tasmanians but instead of receiving the urgent help they need, they are being left at risk, waiting in insecure housing, couch surfing, sleeping rough or, in some cases, returning to the homes of their perpetrators.
The Liberals have ignored this sector for eight years and are now playing catch-up on delivering basic support for Tasmanians in need.
The Premier and his Housing Minister need to start getting their priorities right, deliver on their promise to build more homes, and provide safe and secure housing for Tasmanians who desperately need it.
Michelle O'Byrne MP
Shadow Minister for Women and the Prevention of Family Violence
