Labor pledges $24m for new units to ease housing crisis

Labor pledges $24 million for three new unit developments for battlers.

Tasmanian Labor Leader Rebecca White. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

THREE new affordable housing developments would be built around Tasmania under a Labor plan to help people struggling in Tasmania’s tight rental market.

Labor leader Rebecca White will today unveil her party’s policy on affordable housing, which will include a $24 million commitment to new unit developments.

If elected, a Labor Government would build three multi-residential developments for low-income Tasmanians, valued at about $8 million each.

They would be located in areas of greatest need, which would likely see one in the North-West, one in the North and one in the South.

Ms White said Labor was committed to addressing the housing crisis in Tasmania.

“Labor’s affordable housing policy will create jobs, build homes and improve people’s lives,” she said.

The planned units would be modelled on an existing 30-unit complex in Hopkins St, Moonah, which was built in 2011 for people on low incomes and people with a disability. Six of the units have wheelchair access.

The Hopkins St units have a wide range of communal facilities including garden, children’s playground, BBQ shelter, dining tables and vegetable patch.

The units have also been designed for environmental sustainability, with the cost of living reduced by solar hot water systems, substantial insulation and energy-efficient heating, cooling and lighting.

Under Labor’s plan, the three unit developments would cater for a mix of residents including 18-25-year-olds at risk of homelessness, those aged over 55, people living with a disability and people escaping family violence.

Tasmania’s housing crisis has been felt hardest in Hobart, where the vacancy rate has dipped to 0.4 per cent and rents have risen in line with the increasing demand.

The Tenants Union of Tasmania has seen a dramatic increase in reports of large rent increases, with tenants slugged up to 20 per cent in one hit.