The Hodgman Liberal Government’s Affordable Housing Strategy backed by an Action Plan that will deliver more than 900 new homes over four years has been almost universally welcomed across the community.
Peak housing body Shelter Tasmania responded to the launch yesterday, saying “Tasmania takes the lead in affordable housing”, while the Property Council labelled the strategy “an important step forward for all Tasmanians”.*
This is not surprising given our Action Plan will not only help about 1600 vulnerable households into housing, but create up to 550 full-time equivalent jobs in our building sector and increase economic activity by $235 million.
The Labor Opposition, however, who in government actually cut housing stock by 1071 homes and who took no plan to the election for housing or homelessness, have typically offered nothing but sniping.
Labor has deliberately misrepresented the facts around the annual estimated need for affordable housing, knowing full well that it is the market that meets the majority of demand.
The Government’s Action Plan is about meeting the gaps that the market cannot service, including social housing, crisis accommodation, and home ownership for households who otherwise cannot get finance.
The more than 900 new homes we will provide over the next four years, and the support we will provide to assist about 1600 vulnerable households into housing, is a clear commitment on the part of the Government to doing our part.
And that’s why our Strategy and Action Plan have been welcomed by stakeholders.
* Shelter Tasmania Media Release, 23-09-2015; Property Council Media Release, 23-09-2015