On behalf of the Greens, I am proud to announce our $64 million plan to tackle youth homelessness in Tasmania.
After 10 years of Liberal government, housing in Tassie is a complete mess. Rents have skyrocketed, the public housing waiting list has more than doubled in length, thousands of homes have been ripped out of the rental market by AirBnB, and homelessness is growing faster than anywhere in the country.
One of the most devastating consequences of the Liberals’ decade in power has been the harm and hardship for Tasmania’s young people. Shockingly there’s now around 600 young Tasmanians living homeless in the state, and many more living in precarious and difficult situations.
Young people make up a quarter of all homeless Tasmanians, and the causes and needs of youth homelessness are often unique and complex. That’s why organisations working in this area have been crying out for a specific strategy on youth homelessness – something the Liberals have refused to do.
While Liberal politicians have pulled out all stops to build a billion-dollar stadium, they haven’t lifted a finger to address critical issues like youth homelessness. It’s shameful, and something has to change.
The Greens understand the need for a focus on youth homelessness, and a big increase in dedicated support for young people. Our plan is to establish a youth homelessness strategy, to invest in improving support services, and to fund more housing and accommodation for young people.
We’re also fighting to tackle the big issues driving the housing crisis – by building more public homes, putting limits on rent increases, and bringing AirBnBs back into the rental market.
There’s no doubt dealing with youth homelessness is a challenge, but change is possible. This election is a huge opportunity to make a difference – to prevent youth homelessness, and to ensure young Tasmanians who are homeless are supported back into stable and safe housing.
Read our plan here
