The organisation said this year’s submissions were “more important than ever”, with Tasmania experiencing a “chronic shortage” of affordable and social housing, which has serious implications for people affected by insecure housing and homelessness.

In fact, it said the situation has major implications for the Tasmanian community as a whole.

The submissions include 11 solutions to address the key issues across the social housing and homelessness sector. They suggest a range of measures, including increasing targets for Tasmania’s affordable housing strategy and retiring the state’s public housing debt, using those funds to build public and community housing.

One of the submissions is to reduce the risk of homelessness for young people, including 13 to 15-year-olds, who fall through the net of support.

On Sunday, Opposition Leader Rebecca White will announce a Labor pledge of $6 million for two youth crisis accommodation shelters – one in the North and one in the North-West.

The shelters will be designed to specifically house 13 to 16-year-olds, giving them a safe place for six weeks while they attempt to reconnect with their families or access other services.

Ms White said the shelters will stop vulnerable teens from slipping through the gaps. Human services support can cover such young teens for welfare payments, but they may not be eligible for other key support systems such as Housing Connect.

The state government is in the process of establishing a $1.4 million Youth at Risk Centre in the state’s South, which will accommodate up to nine young people aged between 12 and 15 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Crisis accommodation has been a significant issue for a long time in the state’s North and North-West, and there are a number of tiers to it, which often get muddled. For example, there are certain services available to older teens and young parents at risk that younger teens, aged 13 to 15 don’t qualify for.

Protecting youth at risk is an issue that needs serious attention – and action. 

The spotlight needs to remain pointed at this issue until some more significant and meaningful work is done.