Launceston’s median house price is expected to jump $20,000 in the next three years, according to a national real estate outlook.
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The report, put out by QBE on Wednesday, shows the median is expected to increase by 7 per cent to $300,000 by June 2020.
It noted that house price growth had been 4.9 per cent each year since June 2017.
“Price rises in Launceston are likely to be modest given a weaker employment environment,” the report said.
Stronger economic and population growth in Hobart is expected to boost its median price to $470,000 in three years or 4 per cent each year.
The capital’s median house price rose 6.1 per cent last financial year to reach a median of $424,300.
Anglicare Social Action and Research Centre manager, Meg Webb, said homeowners had benefited well from government policies.
“What we are seeing is the product of taxation policy that has prioritised housing as a generator of wealth above the creation of affordable homes for everyone in the community,” she said.
Treasurer Peter Gutwein said the government’s Affordable Housing Strategy was set to triple the state’s stock by 2025 with 440 houses already offered in this term of government.
Ms Webb said this was not enough.
“We have close to 3000 people on Tasmania’s public and social housing waiting list who are struggling in a competitive private rental market,” she said.
“Low-income earners find it increasingly difficult to compete as Tasmania’s rent prices continue to rise and vacancy rates remain extremely low.”
Labor housing spokesman Josh Willie said the party would open up more land for housing and expand a grants program if it won government next election.