Tasmania housing crisis: Young mum, twins face homelessness

A young Tassie mum has applied to live in 43 suburbs, anxious she will have to live in her car again or in a tent when her time at a shelter ends. HER STORY >>

The threat of homelessness is very real across Tasmania. Picture: Roger Lovell

All Kate Shaw and her young twins want for Christmas is a home.

She’s living in a Hobart women’s shelter and sleeping on a couch against the door to stop her three-year-old son James, who has autism, from escaping.

Ms Shaw, 27, is on the list for family violence rapid rehousing and has applied to live in 43 suburbs.

She’s anxious she will have to live in her car again or in a tent when her time at the shelter ends in January.

“I want to give my kids a future but I need a home to do that,” she said.

“This time next year I don’t want to be in this position, I’ve been accepted into TAFE to do my certificate 3 in beauty therapy.”

Independent Clark MP Kristie Johnston is trying to help the family and Housing Minister Guy Barnett says he’s aware of Ms Shaw’s “very challenging circumstances”.

Ms Johnston said Tasmanian families deserved to have a safe and secure roof over their heads.

“But as we head into the Christmas season Kate and her children are facing Christmas in a shelter and a new year homeless,” she said.

Kate Shaw of Hobart with children twins Emily and James 3. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“While the government is busy talking about building a shiny new AFL stadium, I along with Kate’s family and the thousands of Tasmanians on the housing waiting list want safe and secure housing to be the government’s priority.”

Mr Barnett said Ms Shaw “will not automatically be exited into homelessness in January” with other transition accommodation options being explored.

“The government knows there’s still too many Tasmanians without appropriate shelter and accommodation and we’re working hard to build more homes, faster,” he said. “While this occurs, we are investing heavily in services like the Hobart Women’s Shelter to provide immediate support for those in need.”

Ms Shaw said the twins’ father left the day she told him she was pregnant and a later relationship ended in her escaping violence.

Before being housed at the shelter she had slept in her car on some nights and with her grandmother.

“My father’s death (in June) changed my whole life. He brought me up to be strong, independent and not rely on anyone. I’ve never asked for help but with James’ hurdles I need help and a home.”

Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing Guy Barnett.

Ms Shaw suffers from intracranial hypertension which worsens during times of stress.

She said the Chigwell Child and Family Centre had been a lifesaver and the children’s salvation.

“We come to the centre every day, it is the only stable thing my children have in their lives.”

If you are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, contact Housing Connect, 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 800 588.

Plan to tackle homelessness

The state government has a target to build 10,000 affordable and social homes by 2032, with the program on track to complete 1500 homes by June 30 next year.

In addition, the government says current projects to tackle homelessness include:

• A new 26-bed Youth2Independence facility in Hobart and a new 25-bed youth2Independence facility in Burnie are under construction and a 20-bed expansion of the Launceston Youth2Independence facility is nearly complete;
• 15 new units at the Launceston Women’s Shelter;
• 23 crisis and transitional units for at-risk youth in Burnie;
• A dedicated men’s shelter on the North-West Coast for men with or without children; and
• A new 50-bed crisis and transitional accommodation facility for men in Hobart.