24 March 2018

Roger Jaensch,
Minister for Human Services, Housing and Planning,

Next steps in response to Tasmania’s housing shortage

The Tasmanian Government will provide almost $500,000 for immediate emergency accommodation options in the Greater Hobart area, for Tasmanians in greatest need.

This is one of the next steps we are taking to provide the immediate relief that was promised by the Government and stakeholders following the Tasmanian Housing Summit earlier this month.

The funding will go towards providing a mix of cabins, hotel and motel-style accommodation, with the emphasis on providing safety and warmth to those in greatest need over the coming winter period.

As part of this funding, $150,000 will be provided through the Housing Connect partners to support these clients in a range of emergency accommodation options, and help transition them into permanent affordable housing options.

All tenants will be referred through Housing Connect and would need to be eligible for such assistance.

Further, from April to June 30, 127 brand new accommodation options will be progressively available, including 78 two-bedroom units statewide, a nine-unit facility for youth at risk at Moonah, a 25 unit youth accommodation facility in Devonport and 15 units for the Hobart Women’s Shelter.

This announcement today builds on work of the Government and 34 peak bodies and stakeholders who attended the Housing Summit earlier this month, which broadly endorsed several solutions.

The first meeting of the new Cabinet this week endorsed the Housing Summit Communique and its actions, including:

• The release of 239 hectares of Government-owned land, an estimated 2,000 land parcels, with fast-track legislation to accelerate zoning changes and the supply of affordable housing.  Legislation will be introduced in the first session of Parliament;
• Land Tax rebate to incentivise property owners to list up to 500 existing properties for rental.  This program is now open by application to www.sro.tas.gov.au; and
• Housing Tasmania Stock Match – this voluntary, incentivised program to better match tenants and properties has now begun, and Housing Tasmania is beginning to personally contact tenants.

Other housing incentive programs committed at the State Election are also open now by application to www.sro.tas.gov.au. Legislation to give effect to these programs will be introduced in the first session of Parliament and include:

• A 50 per cent stamp duty holiday for first home buyers for homes up to $400,000;
• A three-year land tax holiday on all new-built housing available for long-term rental; and
• A 50 per cent stamp duty discount for seniors downsizing.

We will soon begin an advertising campaign to let Tasmanians know when all programs are available, to ensure maximum take-up.

In addition, the Government will soon commence consultation on the Action Plan for the Government’s $125 million Affordable Housing Strategy (Stage II) with key stakeholders, so we can get more houses underway immediately following the Budget.

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