Eight new beds promised for Launceston’s Thyne House are unlikely to be delivered before March 2019.
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The expansion was announced in April 2017 by then Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma, to address youth homelessness, under the government’s $73.5 million Affordable Housing Action Plan.
According to the government’s latest quarterly housing report for January to March, the expansion’s planning approval has been rescheduled for late 2018, with building to commence between October and December.
The eight units are expected to be completed between January and March 2019.
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Last Wednesday, Housing Minister Roger Jaensch toured a new nine-unit facility for youth at risk at Moonah in the state’s South, as part of Youth Homelessness Matters Day.
He said the facility would complement Thyne House as well as a new 25-unit youth accommodation facility nearing completion in Devonport.
“Together, these sites are about a stronger response to youth homelessness by providing more accommodation and support for young people at risk,” he said.
“Youth homelessness is a complex problem, but the Hodgman Liberal government is committed to investing in crisis and supported accommodation to address unmet demand, particularly for young people.”
Opposition housing spokesman Josh Willie said the state’s housing crisis required urgent solutions.
“Tasmanians should not be surprised that the Hodgman government’s promises around homelessness and housing affordability ultimately do not deliver,” he said.
“Labor supports the affordable housing strategy, of course, but what has become abundantly clear in the housing crisis is that the Liberals have chronically under-spent on housing by $45 million, which has resulted in 500 fewer dwellings.
“As the new housing minister, the first priority for Roger Jaensch should have been to address the housing crisis, but he has so far proven to be a disappointing failure.
“The housing crisis requires attention and solutions that are urgent and immediate and, importantly, show that government has compassion and cares about Tasmanians, but in each of those regards, Mr Jaensch has failed.”
Thyne House provides long-term housing for young people aged 16 to 25, and currently has 30 beds.
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
