More than 9,500 people are waiting for social housing in Tasmania, including almost 3,000 children, according to information provided on notice to Greens’ questions in Budget Estimates.
While the Homes Tasmania Dashboard reports that there were 5,507 applicants on the Social Housing Register at the end of April, the Greens have confirmed that this in fact represents 9,504 people in need of a home. 2,911 are children.
While the publication of monthly dashboard figures paints a dire situation with regards to public housing, the real truth regarding the human impact is way worse. These figures confirm that every publicly reported application to the Social Housing Register represents almost two people in need of a home.
Tragically, almost 1 in 3 of those waiting for a home is a child. Homelessness and insecure housing have a huge negative influence on a child’s wellbeing and development and behind these shocking statistics are long-term, intergenerational impacts.
The true number of Tasmanians waiting for a home is as staggering as it is heart wrenching. Every Tasmanian deserves the safety and security of a roof over their heads. For too long, the Liberals have allowed the number of Tasmanians without one to climb.
These numbers are simply unacceptable. The solution is clear: the Liberals need to build more social and affordable homes. And they protect renters in the private rental market, because when people fall out of the private rental system, they increase demand on the public system.
While we welcomed the Liberals’ plan to disband Homes Tasmania and move the provision of social housing back within government, they need to explain how they’re going to get people into homes faster.
Housing is a fundamental human right. Investing more into public housing construction should be a key priority of the government. They must meet the needs of Tasmanians and finally address the human cost of years of inaction.
The data provided to the Greens is available on request.
