‘First of its kind’: 20-year plan to end homelessness by 2043

Homelessness in Tasmania will end by 2043 under a bold state government vision that would prioritise medium-density and in-fill development, reform the statewide planning scheme, and encourage private rental affordability. How they say it’ll be done.

Housing Minister Nic Street in the soon to be completed youth accommodation in Campbell St

Homelessness in Tasmania will end by 2043 under a bold state government vision that would prioritise medium-density and in-fill development, reform the statewide planning scheme, and encourage private rental affordability through potential new subsidies and taxes.

In what Minister for Housing and Construction Nic Street described as unique in Australia, the Tasmanian Housing Strategy is a 20-year plan that builds on the government’s existing commitment to deliver 10,000 social and affordable homes by 2032.

The strategy was launched on the last day of the parliamentary sitting year, and in the same week that Australia’s peak social service bodies wrote an open letter to state and federal housing ministers urging immediate intervention in the national housing crisis.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said all Tasmanians had the right to have a place to call home, and committed to ensuring the state’s children had the same opportunity for home ownership as previous generations.

“Our government’s vision is to end homelessness in Tasmania by 2043,” the premier said. “This is unapologetically bold. To aim for anything less is to accept that some Tasmanians do not deserve homes.

Minister for Housing and Construction Nic Street

“Achieving this vision will not be easy; it will be challenging and will take time, but just like we strive for zero fatalities on our roads, we should strive for zero homelessness in our state.”

Mr Street said the blueprint’s ultimate goal was a system that provided safe, appropriate, and affordable housing for all Tasmanians.

The government would move quickly to implement reforms to the Tasmanian Planning Scheme, with a focus on provisions that would deliver medium-density developments.

“At its core the strategy’s mission is to give every Tasmanian the opportunity to live their life to the fullest by allowing them to live how they want, where they want,” Mr Street said.

“This strategy is the first of its kind in Australia and uniquely Tasmanian, taking a whole-of-system approach.

“It champions greater affordability and stability in the private market from our regions to our city centres, enabling local prosperity and continued economic growth that will benefit the entire state.

“The strategy will continue to support the fantastic work Homes Tasmania and its community partners are delivering, including innovative schemes like the MyHome Shared Equity Program.”

Social and affordable housing development at Chigwell. Picture: Chris Kidd

The Tasmanian Housing Strategy defines “functional zero” as a state in which any instances of homelessness are rare, brief, and non-recurring.

The strategy spells out a clear role for the private sector, which can contribute through the greater delivery of affordable homes, long-term private rental arrangements, and developments that maximise existing social infrastructure.

The plan also emphasises that renting should be promoted to Tasmanians, and especially young people, as an equally valid housing choice to home ownership.

Other strategies suggested for reducing rates of homelessness in Tasmania include releasing more land for residential development, increasing the build-to-rent (BTR) sector, adopting housing cooperatives and tiny house communities, and repurposing existing structures for housing.

Mr Street said the strategy would be accompanied by an Action Plan running through to mid-2027, which would chart a path of implementation over the next four years.

Blueprint to end homelessness in Tasmania by 2043 through:

* Increasing medium-density accommodation and in-fill development

* Improving affordability and stability in private rental market

* Granting greater powers for Homes Tasmania to partner with private sector

* Implementing reforms to the Tasmanian Planning Scheme

* Reviewing the Residential Tenancy Act 1997 to strengthen renters’ rights

* Using government levers such as taxes and subsidies to help achieve a private rental vacancy rate of 3 per cent

Originally published as ‘First of its kind’: 20-year plan to end homelessness by 2043