As we enter National Homelessness Week 2022, the Tasmanian Government acknowledges those who are doing it tough and face uncertainty over where they will sleep tonight.
Homelessness Week asks all of us - government, businesses, support and accommodation services and the community - to recognise the need to take action to eliminate homelessness.
The theme of this year’s Homelessness Week is ‘To end homelessness we need a plan’.
And the Tasmanian Government’s plan comes in the form of our $1.5 billion housing package to deliver 10,000 new social and affordable homes for Tasmanians in need over the next 10 years.
Homelessness can affect anyone – our friends, family, or colleagues – due to changes in circumstances or life events, such as family breakdown, mental illness, trauma, or our young people moving to adult independence.
Housing is a basic human need and is crucial to our community’s health, well-being and financial stability.
Demand is at unprecedented levels, and Tasmanians who have never previously been at risk of housing stress or homelessness are now seeking help.
Every Tasmanian deserves a roof over their head, and we have a comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness and housing stress across the state.
We recognise that there are Tasmanians who are doing it tough and need our support right now.
That is why we invest over $36 million a year on wraparound services to ensure those who need help now are getting the help they need.
This includes funding for 17 Specialist Homelessness Services, including Housing Connect Front Door and Support, as well as crisis shelters and supported accommodation.
In addition, $6.9 million has been allocated specifically for our Safe Spaces and connected support services.
This funding delivers 99 spaces each night, in addition to the almost 14,000 households already living in social housing across the state.
Safe Spaces is an innovative and vital integrated response for people sleeping rough and it makes a real difference every day to addressing homelessness with Safe Spaces located in Launceston, Hobart and Burnie.
By 30 June 2023, we will have helped about 5000 Tasmanian households out of housing stress or homelessness.
This will be in addition to other new and existing initiatives aimed at reducing house prices and putting downward pressure on rents, including land tax and stamp duty reforms, accelerating land supply, and expanding private rental initiatives.
If you are at risk of homelessness, please contact Housing Connect, 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 800 588.
More Media Releases from Guy Barnett
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