DELIVERING THE MOST AMBITIOUS SOCIAL AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING PLAN IN TASMANIAN HISTORY

GUY BARNETT MP, Minister for Housing

The Rockliff Liberal Government is committed to providing safe and secure accommodation for all Tasmanians which is why the 2023-24 Budget is funding the most ambitious social and affordable housing plan in Tasmanian history.

Our $1.5 billion plan will deliver 10,000 new affordable homes and units by 2032 to meet the diverse housing needs of Tasmanians, including youth, the elderly, those living with a disability, men, women and families.

We also set an ambitious target to deliver 1500 social and affordable homes by June 2023 and we are tracking well with 914 of these homes completed as at the end of April 2023.

“The Government’s social and affordable housing package is being delivered by our new authority, Homes Tasmania which is designed to be innovative and agile to build homes faster to help Tasmanians in need.  Its ability to borrow ensures it can deliver the homes Tasmanians need quickly, efficiently and at best value for the Tasmanian taxpayer,’’ Minister Barnett said.

“To help ensure a pipeline of skilled Tasmanians to help build new homes, the Government is providing funding of $4 million over six years for Build Up Tassie, a free work readiness program for anyone aged between 16-24 looking to enter the construction industry.

“The Rockliff Liberal Government is building a strong, safe and secure future for Tasmanians which is under-pinned by a broader plan to make it easier for Tasmanians to find secure accommodation.

“This includes the MyHome Program which gives more low-income Tasmanians and first home buyers the opportunity to buy their own home and has received funding for a further two years.’’

The Government’s broader plan also includes investing $3 million for the coming year into the residential land release rebate to continue to unlock new land supply into the market; extending the First Home Owners Grant; increasing housing supply with our expanded ancillary dwelling incentive program for rentals; putting downward pressure on rent prices by reducing land tax; and increasing the threshold for stamp duty concessions for Tasmanians buying their first home and for pensioners downsizing.

The Tasmanian Liberal Government understands that rental affordability is a key challenge and this is why we are responding with solutions that help eligible Tasmanian households find rental properties at more affordable rates.

Our Private Rental Incentive Program is one way we are doing this and it has already helped over 500 eligible households into a private rental at a more affordable rent. In recognition of its success, we are providing additional support with the 2023-24 Budget expanding the program for more Tasmanians in need.

With an additional $1.5 million in this Budget, Homes Tasmania will trial the innovative new Affordable Rentals Initiative where private rentals will be secured at market rate and provided to eligible low-income Tasmanians at a reduced rent. This allows Homes Tasmania to work with the private sector to provide affordable rentals to eligible households and ease the cost-of-living to those who need it most.

We know that increasing housing supply, both public and private, is the best solution to the housing affordability challenge. This is acknowledged in the recent Commsec Report which also shows Tasmania leads the nation on dwellings starts with a 17.8 per cent increase over the decade average. The Rockliff Liberal Government’s plan is being delivered and is working.

“We know that some vulnerable Tasmanians need help right now which is why we are investing more than $38 million on wrap-around services to ensure those who need help are getting the services they need,’’ Minister Barnett said.

“This includes funding of $15.58 million for Housing Connect Front Door and support, $18.01 million for short term homeless accommodation (crisis and transitional) and $2.64 million for longer term supported accommodation.

“The success of Safe Spaces, which started in Hobart in 2019 and then expanded to Launceston and Burnie, is reflected in the 2023-24 Budget with long-term annual funding of $7 million per year to support the Safe Spaces program to continue until 2025-26 which will help provide confidence to the service providers and the community.

“Tasmania has more supported accommodation `foyer’ facilities for youth than anywhere else in Australia and the 2023-24 Budget commits $5.89 million to expand our Youth2Independence (Y2I) program for young people who will benefit from living in smaller, home-like environments.

“These investments include a new 26-bed Y2I facility in Hobart, a new 25-bed facility in Burnie, a 20-bed expansion of the Launceston facility, 23 crisis and transitional units for at-risk youth in Burnie and a new eight-bed youth at-risk centre in Launceston,’’ Minister Barnett said.