Shelter Tas is the peak body for housing and homelessness in Tasmania, representing all Tasmania’s funded specialist homelessness services and community housing providers.
“With our community facing cost of living pressures, and escalating housing costs, and over 40,000 households managing the stress of high rents in the tight and competitive private rental market, we welcome the State Government’s continued investment in affordable housing in today’s Budget. Investment in social and affordable housing is the foundation for building our community,” Shelter Tas CEO, Pattie Chugg said.
“Our state’s nation-leading investment in social housing delivered by community housing providers assists many Tasmanians with the homes they need, and together with the Government we recognise that there is more to be done. There is still a need to boost that essential supply, and deliver a Housing First approach.
“This year, we have seen increasing demand for affordable homes, with the waiting list for social housing pass 4,400 applications, and 46 people a day being turned away from homelessness services. There is every sign that housing stress and homelessness are continuing to increase across Tasmania.
“The $1.5 Billion package to build and acquire 10,000 homes by 2032 reflects the Shelter Tas budget ask for 1,000 homes per year. Shelter Tas hopes this important announcement will contribute substantially to boosting the supply of social housing from the current level of 6.2% to 10% of all dwellings, to ensure all Tasmanians have the safe and affordable home they need.
“It is positive to see the increase in both capital and recurrent funding, with an increase in the capital funding to $538 million, which is $142 million more than allocated in last years budget. We are pleased to see the investment in bricks and mortar is accompanied by the essential dollars for running these services, to cover staffing and the costs of supporting vulnerable clients to achieve independence.
“Our submission to this year’s State Budget Process emphasised that in 2022, with accelerating cost of living pressures and an affordable housing crisis, it is vital to ensure investment in social and affordable housing products, as well as targeted strategies for specific population groups that are vulnerable,” Ms Chugg said.
The Shelter Tas Budget Submission is available at https://sheltertas.org.au/shelter-tas-submission-to-the-state-government-budget-process-2022-23/
“Funding for the Safe Spaces in Hobart ($3.06M), Launceston ($1.9M) and Burnie ($1.9M) totalling $6.9M across the state is very welcome, but provides operational funding for only one year. We would like to see an ongoing commitment to these services because the need for this essential safety net will not disappear in one year’s time,” Ms Chugg said.
“In the North West, we are pleased to see $2.5 million operational funding for the new 8 unit Devonport Men’s Shelter. The Youth to Independence centres in Burnie and Hobart will receive $3.2M over two years.
“There is $16 million committed for the establishment of supported accommodation facilities for older Tasmanians in the North and North West. This fills a much-needed gap identified by our members, and will build on the success of the Wintringham aged care model in the South, providing homes for the increasing numbers of older Tasmanians experiencing homelessness.
“Women and women with children are some of the hardest hit by housing hardship, and it is time for a dedicated women’s housing strategy to address their specific needs. Shelter Tas has called for this strategy in our Budget Submission, and we hope that the Hon Guy Barnett MP, Minister for Housing will initiate the development of a Women’s Housing Strategy.
“More women than men seek assistance from specialist homelessness services, and family violence is the number one reason that women and their children ask for help. We know that one women’s shelter is turning away 8 out of 10 women seeking assistance, which means that women who may be survivors of family violence are forced to couch surf, live in their cars, or make do in hostels or short-term hotel rooms. More women live in poverty, and older women are the fastest growing group of people facing the risk of homelessness and presenting to our member services.
“It is important to identify funding opportunities in the Budget. The obvious and yet untapped source is the stamp duty (conveyancing duty) that comes from the increasing value in Tasmania’s housing market, which last year was a windfall of $48.5M more than expected in last year’s Budget, and this year will be $49.9M more than budgeted. The additional stamp duty income can be dedicated to much needed social housing and homelessness services, to build safe, inclusive thriving communities across the state. Every house and every dollar counts when so many people are missing out,” Ms Chugg said.
Of concern in this year’s budget is the low indexation rate of only 2.5%, substantially lower than inflation, and this will impose significant challenges to services over the coming year.
“The housing policies of the new Federal Labor Government elected this week pave the way for new partnerships and efficiencies with the state government in the year ahead. Shelter Tas anticipates opportunities for new social housing supply and home ownership products that will complement the existing programs in Tasmania. We encourage both levels of government to work closely with the community housing providers who will continue to be front and centre of the expansion of affordable rental housing in our state,” Ms Chugg said.
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For more information and comment, contact:
Pattie Chugg
Shelter Tas CEO
E: ceo@sheltertas.org.au
M: 0419 536 100
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