Rental Crisis Flow On Effect

CEO Stephen Brown welcomed the announcement by the State Government to hold an urgent housing summit in response to Tasmania's housing crisis.

"Housing affordability in Tasmania is reaching a crisis point with rising private rental costs and a shortage of public housing options. In the north of the state, there has been a 49% decline in advertised properties over the last five years. Around 40% of our Family Services clients report they have been or are impacted by rental stress. But of course, this has a broader impact on people as they are forced to sacrifice spending on necessities such as food and power to be able to meet sky rocketing rental prices. We are seeing the flow on effect of this with more and more people seeking assistance with food and utility payment.

"Unfortunately, we are experiencing an upward trend in the number of people being turned away from Orana House, City Mission's crisis and long-term accommodation for men. Insecure tenure arrangements and unsafe housing conditions add another burden for people who are already struggling with financial and emotional hardship.

"We really need to work together as a state to find a solution to this crisis, to ensure that every Tasmanian has access to safe, secure and long-term affordable housing."