Morrison Government wrote off $157 million-worth of historic housing debt in 2019

New figures show less than a handful of affordable homes have been built with the millions of dollars in funds released through the state’s waived public housing debt. LATEST >>

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NEW figures released by the state government show three affordable homes have been built so far with the millions in funds released through the state’s waived public housing debt.

The Morrison Government wrote off Tasmania’s $157 million historic housing debt last September, following negotiations led by Independent Senator Jacqui Lambie.

The decision is saving the state government $15 million a year, all of which is to be spent on public housing.

However Labor has accused the government of attempting to hide a lack of investment by rearranging the format of the quarterly housing reports released by the Department of Communities.

Minister for Housing Roger Jaensch speaks to the media about the purchase of Balmoral Motor Inn in Goodwood for accommodation for those in need. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The September 2020 report released on Tuesday contained different tables to the previous June report, complicating the breakdown in housing outcomes under separate funding streams.

According to the report three affordable houses have been built under the debt waiver.

There were 44 households helped into housing in the last quarter via existing social housing and private rental incentives thanks to the waiver.

Overall in September 2020, 57 new social housing dwellings were completed and 14 existing dwellings were repurposed for social housing.

Labor housing spokeswoman Alison Standen said the delayed September quarterly report showed the government’s failure to deliver social housing.

“The report shows the Government has built just three social houses with the proceeds of the Commonwealth debt waiver. That’s even fewer homes than the five that the Minister claimed to have built in the last quarterly update,” Ms Standen said.

“The Minister said he would deliver 80 new homes every year through the debt waiver funding. Last quarter he had completed just five and this report revises that figure down to just three.”

Alison Standen MP at the Hobart Hideaway Pods at Kingston. Picture Supplied

The Liberals have frequently pointed out that Labor had 16 years to achieve the debt waiver and failed to do so.

During a budget estimates hearing Housing Minister Roger Jaensch said the state government was delivering on its commitment to build hundreds of new affordable homes.

Mr Jaensch said there were 12,500 Tasmanian households in public housing across the state, with 600 new homes and homeless accommodation placed contracted or under construction.

“This report also summarises the wide range of initiatives that are underway to address the housing needs of around 5000 additional households by June 2023, including the supply of up to 2351 new social housing dwellings,” Mr Jaensch said.