‘One-stop shop’ website aims to help ease Tasmania’s housing woes

UPDATED: A THREE-WEEK advertising blitz to spruik the State Government’s actions to address the housing crisis has been labelled taxpayer-funded political spin.

Housing Minister Roger Jaensch announces a new multimedia campaign aimed at informing and connecting Tasmanians in need with safe and affordable housing options. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

UPDATED: A THREE-WEEK advertising blitz to spruik the State Government’s actions to address the housing crisis has been labelled taxpayer-funded political spin by Labor.

Housing Minister Roger Jaensch yesterday revealed the State Government would spend $45,000 on a three-week advertising blitz aimed at increasing public awareness of the Government’s efforts to fix Tasmania’s housing crisis.

The campaign, which was promised after the urgent Housing summit held in March, will include print, radio and social media advertising.

Labor housing spokesman Josh Willie said the announcement was an insult to people caught in the housing crisis.

Mr Willie said Labor would support facts being presented, but “what has been presented is a highly political document.”

“What Minister Jaensch is proposing to do is spend $45,000 of taxpayers’ money on a Liberal propaganda campaign telling people how they are helping them through the housing crisis while they’re sleeping rough and sleeping in tents,” Mr Willie said.

“It could be better spent on immediately assisting people who are homeless, who are suffering from the housing crisis, it could go toward bond assistance or a whole range of other measures.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor also questioned why the Liberals were spending taxpayer funds on advertising.

“With winter fast approaching, there is still no plan to tackle the shortage of affordable housing,” Ms O’Connor said.

“Better Minister Jaensch focus on that, than spend public funds on an ad campaign. Desperate people are counting on him for a home, not an ad.”

Minister Jaensch said the campaign was aimed at informing and connecting Tasmanians in need with safe and affordable housing options, including emergency accommodation.

“All the services, the systems and incentives that we’re offering are of no use if people don’t know what they are,” Mr Jaensch said.

One incentive that has been announced would provide up to $13,000 to landlords who rent their homes to low-income Tasmanians.

Mr Jaensch said eligibility criteria would be released next month to people who had registered their interest in the program.

Mr Willie said the public should know by now the eligibility criteria for the scheme.

YESTERDAY: THE State Government will spend $45,000 on a three-week advertising blitz aimed at increasing public awareness of the measures being implemented to address Tasmania’s housing crisis.

MORE: CONSTRUCTION BOOM NEEDED TO SOLVE HOUSING CRISIS

MORE: SOS TO LANDLORDS

The campaign, which was promised following the emergency housing summit held in March, will include print, radio and social media advertising.

It is aimed at informing and connecting Tasmanians in need with safe and affordable housing options, including emergency accommodation.

There will also be a website to act as a “one-stop shop” for people wanting assistance.

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE WEBSITE

Housing Minister Roger Jaensch said the Government was asking Tasmanians to inform themselves.

“We’re going to start with this first phase of the campaign to get people’s attention, to show them what’s out there to start off with,” Mr Jaensch said.

“Then there will be subsequent rounds when we introduce new initiatives as they come online.”