The National Social Justice Stocktake Report compiled by the Salvation Army outlined the top social issues identified by residents of 151 electorates from across the country.

In Tasmania, housing affordability, alcohol and drug misuse, mental health, homelessness and family violence were identified as the top issues for respondents, with the electorates of Bass mirroring the same concerns.

READ MORE: Jeremy Rockliff poised to run for Premier after sudden resignation of Peter Gutwein

For a state experiencing a real estate and housing boom, the issues of housing affordability and homelessness have been an ongoing concern.

Attempts were made in the federal budget to address the problem, including increasing access to the home loan guarantee scheme for 50,000 people a year for three years.

The guarantee allows homebuyers to enter the market with a deposit of five per cent and does not require mortgage insurance.

However, with many people unable to secure a five per cent deposit, social housing and renting remain the reality for most, prompting advocates to call for greater income support.

Tenants' Union of Tasmania Principal Solicitor Ben Bartl said as house prices increased, so did the amount for a deposit, which meant more people were renting for longer.

READ MORE: Ashley or Westbury: decision date looms for prison site as consultation period comes to an end

Mr Bartl said the housing shortage had also seen the cost to renters rise, adding more pressure to the housing crisis.

"Rents have gone up in Northern Tasmania by 49 per cent over the last five years," he said.

"Many tenants are in rental stress because they are spending at least 30 per cent of their income on rent and some are having to choose between keeping a roof over their head or putting food on their table."

TasCOSS chief executive Adrienne Picone said it came as no surprise that housing affordability was identified as the number one social issue in the state.

"In Tasmania right now, housing stress remains acute, social housing waiting lists are long and rents have soared," she said.

"With the high cost of housing, immediate investment is needed to support Tasmanians into affordable housing to ensure everyone has a safe home."

READ MORE: Tasmanians' incomes way below national levels, especially in Braddon and Lyons

Ms Picone said a 50 per cent increase to the Commonwealth rent assistance payment program, and incentives for investors to bring more private housing stock into the long-term rental market were needed.

Premier Peter Gutwein has previously pointed to the government's 10-year plan to supply 10,000 affordable and social houses by 2032, as an initiative to address the cost of housing in the state.

Mental health problems were the second most reported chronic condition in Tasmania, with the report finding the number of people accessing public mental health services in remote areas was increasing.

University of Tasmania School of Psychological Sciences lecturer, Dr Alex O'Donnell said the prevalence of mental health as a top concern for a regional area was unsurprising, explaining isolation and separation often increased poor mental health outcomes.

READ MORE: Online shopping is here to stay and expects it to continue to grow

Dr O'Donnell said there was a link between the top five issues identified by respondents and the high rates of poverty experienced by many in the North of the state.

"One of the things that poverty does is that it can really disempower people, it can stop them from being able to set themselves on the right course to essentially do well," he said.

"There's such a growing awareness of mental health issues and the interconnection between them, and the environments that people live in, so it's not particularly surprising that these factors are coming up."

Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the government was moving away from acute hospital care, instead, they were building a mental health system with an increased focus on community support options.

"As a critical input into our co-designed, long-term plan for healthcare in Tasmania, the Department of Health is preparing clinical service plans for each region of the State," he said.

He said the government had also increased the outreach capacity of its rural alive and well program in rural and remote areas of the state, which has allowed the government to employ more outreach workers in the program.

What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor:

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:

Follow us on Google News: The Examiner