Labor, Greens urge caution on housing

The Liberals have promised to transfer between 300 and 500 social housing properties to the community sector, helping organisations leverage finance to build 150 new affordable dwellings.

But the opposition parties say the housing stock on the line belongs to the public, and are demanding to know what triggered the government's decision to relinquish the properties.

A string of questions on the hot-button topic dominated a fiery Question Time on Tuesday.

Labor human services spokeswoman Rebecca White said it appeared the Liberals had not undertaken any analysis or consultation before opting to give away $125 million worth of public assets.

"Here we have another mess emerging, transferring 500 public housing properties with no evidence to support it, and no idea about the value of these properties," she said.

Greens human services spokeswoman Cassy O'Connor said no assurances had been given that the properties would remain affordable housing in the long-term, and not be clawed back by the banks if a provider went bust.

"I think Tasmanians have a right to know what are the arguments for giving away such a sizeable portfolio of Housing Tasmania homes and what benefits it will deliver," she said.

"These houses don't belong to the Minister for Human Services, they don't belong to the Liberals in government, they belong to the people of Tasmania."

Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma said the Liberals had long promised to investigate transferring affordable housing titles to the private and community sectors, and would have strict guidelines in place during the pilot program.

"Strong protections and arrangements will be put in place to protect the value of the assets transferred," she said.

"In the unlikely event of a provider going out of business, the housing assets will be returned to government or be given to another viable community provider to manage."