This became even more abundantly clear immediately following the state election when a housing summit was called within a month and a new portfolio was created for housing.

Back in 2018, we highlighted that housing was more than bricks and mortar. Disruption to the hospitality industry by the shared economy - businesses like Airbnb - have caused problems for affordable housing.

The high demand for rental properties has also been experienced in Launceston. It seems like a click of the fingers housing are being snapped up at high prices.

Also back in April 2018, a report from the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute highlighted the need for affordable housing to not be concentrated into one area.

In other words, to not create suburbs like Rocherlea which was created as broadacre social housing back in the 1980s.

Leading economist and then director of Housing Choices Australia, said at the time inclusionary zoning offered a change in society's attitudes to social housing.

He asked the question: do we want integrated affordable housing or ghettos.

The state government has identified land that will be fast-tracked for residential developments. About 15 per cent of the properties are marked for affordable housing.

The inclusionary approach is what Tasmania needs long term.

But, as the study by AHURI suggested, inclusionary zoning should be included in planning. This would mean private projects could have incentives or financial contributions to have a certain percentage reserved for affordable housing.

Many states already have this policy. Tasmania is yet to even trial a form of this approach.

This is a missed opportunity to explore based on evidence from the UK, USA and South Australia.