Tenants Union of Tasmania raises awareness of homelessness with Dark Mofo trend

The Tenants Union of Tasmania has jumped on a Dark Mofo trend, but its message is far from the lighthearted displays across Hobart.

Ben Bartl principal solicitor Tenants Union of Tasmania. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Tenants Union of Tasmania has put a spin on the trend to turn red for Dark Mofo to raise awareness of the struggles of the state’s homeless population in winter.

Businesses, organisations and landmarks have been participating in ‘paint the town red’ to contribute to the vibe of the winter festival, by lighting up red or creating red displays.

Paint the Town Red. Buildings and landmarks around Hobart lit up with red lighting for the Dark Mofo theme of 'paint the town red'. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

But the tenants’ union has taken a more sombre approach, putting its own display in the front window of its Macquarie St office that reads “For some the dark is not a celebration”.

The union hopes its display will send a message about homelessness.

“Winter for many Tasmanians means amazing festivals such as the Festival of Voices, Huon Valley Mid-Winter Festival and Dark Mofo, but winter is also a daily challenge for many Tasmanians to stay warm, find somewhere to sleep and feel safe,” principal solicitor Ben Bartl said.

A sign in the window of the Tenants Union of Tasmania office in Hobart lit with red at night. Picture: Tenants Union of Tasmania

“Winter is generally when more people seek help with shelter because it is too cold to sleep outside, but we also know that people are being turned away from shelters because they are full.”

Mr Bartl hoped the display would encourage people to take action by lobbying for change and by reconsidering the decision to stay at entire homes used as short stay accommodation.

“We urgently need to increase supply including returning existing properties to the long-term rental market that are either sitting empty or being used solely as short-stay accommodation,” Mr Bartl said.

“We are asking visitors to travel ethically by asking their short-stay host if it is their principal place of residence.

“Sharing rooms is what the sharing economy should be about. Instead, we have investors buying up long-term rental stock and converting them into short-stay visitor accommodation.”

View over Hobart towards the Derwent River.

Mr Bartl said even a small number of homes being lost to the long-term rental market had a flow on effect.

“The main reason rents go up is because there is a lack of supply and landlords know they can ask for more rent,” he said.

“By increasing supply, rents will fall and more people will be able to afford the rent.

“During Covid-19 for example, 112 [short stay accommodation properties] were returned to the long-term rental market in Hobart and rents dropped by nine per cent.

“There are currently 375 entire property Airbnbs in Hobart.”