The state's peak social services body wants major political parties to commit to building 10,000 affordable homes in Tasmania over the next decade.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
TasCOSS on Thursday released its statement of election priorities which called on the next government to commit to a target of construction of 1000 new affordable homes each year for the next 10 years.
It wants an innovative approach taken to boosting affordable rental options in the market such as shop-top accommodation, infill housing, and retrofitting of vacant offices.
IN OTHER NEWS:
The body noted that 17,000 Tasmanian households were in rental stress as of last October.
It referenced the most recent Report on Government Services which showed there were 1720 homeless Tasmanians and 146 sleeping rough.
TasCOSS wants 5 per cent of the state's health budget to be preserved for spending on preventative primary care.
It noted Tasmania had 15,848 potential preventable hospitalisations in In 2017-18 which equated to a cost of between $33 and $47 million per year.
TasCOSS wants the next government to partner with the community services to deliver 4000 new jobs to address workforce needs.
It says there is a projected need of 4000 additional community service jobs by 2024 and this presented an opportunity to attract and train people for job openings.
TasCOSS chief executive Adrienne Picone said many Tasmanians accessed support and assistance for the first time in their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said this meant many organisations that delivered community services were now struggling to keep up with demand.
In addition to more affordable housing, Ms Picone said the next government should review the state's Residential Tenancy Act to make sure tenants were not evicted into homelessness.
"A good life for all Tasmanians also means having the support needed to live a healthy life," she said.