Anglicare’s Quarterly Snapshot presents a deeply concerning picture of increasing housing stress in Tasmania. The Liberal Government must act on continued calls by advocates and the community for more housing support.
Anglicare’s Housing Connect Front Door service responded to 52,273 enquiries over the last financial year – a 7% rise from the last financial year. Over the last quarter there was a 4% rise of enquiries, with 13,030 people seeking support.
The number of people experiencing homelessness that sought services rose by 54% to 262. People with employment who accessed support also increased 60% from 194 to 310, as people struggle to afford rentals.
Anglicare are seeing staggering of numbers of Tasmanians in need of housing help. The fact these numbers continue to rise is deeply concerning. Tasmanians are struggling to make ends meet in a dual cost of living and housing crisis.
The Liberals are simply not doing enough to ease housing stress in the state. The Greens echo Anglicare’s calls for increased investment in social and crisis housing. No one in Tasmania should have to face the terrifying prospect of not having a roof over their head for the night.
By dealing with challenges in the private rental market, the Liberal Government can prevent people from being pushed onto the social housing waitlist and needing the help of organisations like Anglicare. The Liberals should reduce the number of Airbnbs taking rentals off the market, stop unreasonable rent increases and end evictions without proper cause.
