The Liberal Government is committed to reducing homelessness and increasing affordable housing options.

I am very pleased to announce that Tasmania has secured $2.7m in Commonwealth Government funding to tackle homelessness by signing on to the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness (NPAH) for 2014-15.

Cabinet yesterday signed off on Tasmania's funding package, which has been accepted by the Commonwealth Government. Securing this additional funding is a fantastic result given that the former Labor-Green Commonwealth Government had made no provision to continue NPAH past 30 June 2014.

The $2.7m in new funding through NPAH will support a number of important initiatives including five supported accommodation facilities around the state, continuation of intensive tenancy support services for clients, and support for the Housing Connect Information System. 

The funding will also support a new program to provide a tenancy guarantee over and above the standard bond to private landlords willing to lease dwellings to households who would otherwise have difficulty accessing the private rental market.

This program will specifically target families where homelessness is placing children at risk of being removed from their parents and placed into child protection. 

Tackling homelessness and increasing affordable housing is a key priority for the Liberal Government.

In the first 100 days of Government we have overhauled the HomeShare scheme to make it easier for low to middle income earners to buy their own home. We've also started work on a State Affordable Housing Plan which will provide a clear framework for the next decade around home ownership, affordable rental, public and community housing, and crisis accommodation.

The Liberal Government is committed to delivering improved housing options for Tasmanians.