A continued and “balanced” statewide investment is needed to address Tasmania’s housing crisis, the sector says.
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On Friday Anglicare’s community services general manager Simon Barnsley joined Housing Minister Roger Jaensch for a tour of two newly developed units at Punchbowl.
The development is part of 78 two-bedroom units being rolled out by the government between April and June, under the first stage of its affordable housing strategy.
While Mr Barnsley acknowledged the government’s commitment to addressing the state’s housing shortage, he said Tasmania needed a continued long term investment.
“The development of new housing is a long-term issue,” he said.
“The pressures we are now seeing have not been of recent origin. It has been a steadily rising pressure point.
“Everybody is aware of that steadily rising pressure, thus the need for continued investment is necessary.”
Mr Jaensch said the government was investing $125 million into the second stage of its affordable housing plan, expected to provide an additional 1500 new affordable homes and assist about 2000 households.
“Several emergency and affordable housing projects are rapidly nearing completion and today is just an example of one of the many properties that will become progressively available from now through to the end of June,” he said.
“So far our affordable housing strategy has helped nearly 500 new households into affordable, secure and safe homes, but we know more needs to be done.”