Waiving of state’s historic social housing debt will benefit families

Hundreds of Tasmanian families are set to benefit from the retirement of the state’s historic $157 million social housing debt, the State Government says.

UP to 400 more Tasmanian families will be helped into housing as a result of the Commonwealth Government’s forgiving Tasmania’s longstanding public housing debt.

The Morrison Government wrote off the state’s $157 million debt in September after a widely shared Mercury front page on June 20.

That front page sparked Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie’s interest — and she made the waiving of the debt the price of her support for the Federal Government’s income tax package.

DOOR LEFT OPEN TO WAIVING STATE’S HOUSING DEBT

HISTORIC DAY FOR TASMANIA AS HOUSING DEBT WAIVED

Premier Will Hodgman said the extra money made available would be spent easing the public housing waiting list.

“As a result of our historic deal with the Morrison Coalition Government to waive our housing debt – something Labor could not achieve in 16 years – the Tasmanian Liberal Government will house an additional 400 Tasmanian households from the waiting list over four years,” he said.

“I want to acknowledge Senator Jacqui Lambie for her pivotal role in helping to secure this groundbreaking agreement, which will boost the supply of affordable and social housing.”

A surge in Tasmanian house prices, increased demand from interstate migration and a growth in the sharing economy has caused a housing crisis in Tasmania.

There are 3330 applications for social housing on the waiting list and a waiting period of 67 weeks.

TASWEEKEND: NEW HOPE FOR HOMELESS IN HOUSING DEAL

The new housing is to be delivered through a number of different State Government programs.

“The first of the additional housing outcomes will be delivered through a second round of our Community Housing Grants, with an injection of $12 million in additional funds to deliver the supply of more social housing on the ground by 2021,” Mr Hodgman said.

“We are also taking action to assist more Tasmanians on the waiting list into housing sooner, while the new supply comes online.

“I can also announce that my Government is expanding the Private Rental Incentive Scheme, delivering access for an additional 25 households on the social housing waiting list in the first half of 2020.

“Further, deals are currently being worked on to purchase 12 homes, which are under construction and will be ready to house applicants in 2020.

“These initiatives form Stage 1 of the implementation package and will deliver outcomes for 117 households.”

The Premier said the Government was spending $258 million over eight years through its Affordable Housing Strategy – the largest State Government investment into affordable housing in the state’s history.

“As more supply comes online and more households are assisted into housing that meets their needs, this strategy will continue to guide our action to ensure we keep delivering our plan to help some of Tasmania’s most vulnerable people into secure and safe accommodation.,” he said.

“Importantly, we have allocated almost $68 million in the 2019-20 financial year to boost the supply of new social and affordable homes.

“This is in addition to the $30 million housing investment under the Hobart City Deal.”