Labor housing spokesman Josh Willie outlines measures to address the Hobart rental crisis

LABOR is calling for an ­imm­ediate pause to new short-term accommodation approvals with­in certain Hobart areas to reduce the stress on the rental market.

Shadow Housing Minister Josh Willie said urgent measures need to be taken to address Hobart's housing crisis. Picture: PATRICK GEE

LABOR is calling for an ­imm­ediate pause to new short-term accommodation approvals with­in certain Hobart areas to reduce the stress on the rental market.

Labor housing spokesman Josh Willie yesterday outlined measures he believed the State Government needed to implement to address the Hobart rental crisis:

A PAUSE on new approvals for short-stay accommodation in inner-city areas.

A JOINT parliamentary inquiry into the housing crisis.

OUTLINE how the Government will spend the $125 million promised during the election campaign for housing affordability.

PROVIDE a timeline for short, medium and long-term options.

ALLOCATE money in the next budget towards public housing.

Mr Willie called on the ­Government to pause new approvals for short-stay accommodation in high-stress, inner-city areas until findings from a proposed Legislative Council inquiry could be completed.

“We think it is paramount a pause is implemented so that the inquiry can take place, findings can be made, recommendations can be made,” he said.

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Mr Willie said there were several options discussed at the housing summit including temporary modular housing and audits of vacant residential properties that the Government had not yet implemented.

“We want to see the minister act with more urgency,” Mr Willie said.

He said initiatives in Labor’s Homes for Tasmania policy such as the rezoning of the northern suburbs rail corridor for medium-density housing could be expedited.

Liberal MP Elise Archer rubbished suggestions the Government was not acting with urgency on the crisis.

Liberal MP Elise Archer. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

“We’re willing to look at any sort of holistic solutions but the Government has already committed a significant amount to affordable housing,” she said.

“We also need to deal with the immediate urgency of the situation and we’re doing that through the Housing Connect service

“As a result of the housing summit, we committed $500,000 directly to Housing Connect for the emergency relief package.”

Mr Willie said all short-term options, including opening up accommodation above businesses, should be explored.

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