Shelter Tas Budget Submission 2020-21

The 2020-21 State Government Budget Process takes place against a background of unrelenting pressure on Tasmania’s housing system, with the greatest hardship felt by people on low and moderate incomes seeking to rent in the private rental market or left at risk of, or experiencing, homelessness. There are reforms underway through Tasmania’s Affordable Housing Strategy 2015- 25 (TAHS), the Affordable …

Shelter Tas Talking Point – ‘It is always someone’s backyard’

For many years Tasmania deserved its reputation for being a comparatively cheap place to live, with relatively low house prices and rental costs. This has changed dramatically in recent years, with increases in the private rental market far outstripping the incomes of average Tasmanians. Data from CoreLogic shows the median rent in Hobart at $464 per week ($7 more than …

Shelter Tas 2019 Annual Report

Shelter Tas was established in 1975. For over 40 years we have worked to ensure that low income and disadvantaged people in Tasmania have access to housing that is affordable, safe, secure and appropriate to their needs. The Shelter Tas Annual Report presents a summary of our activities over the last year, including our financial reports. Importantly, it also contains …

Shelter Tas response to the Daft Bill to Repeal the Offence of Begging

Shelter Tas appreciates the opportunity to provide comment on the Draft Bill to Repeal the Offence of Begging. Shelter Tas is the peak body for housing and homelessness services in Tasmania. Our response is based on consultation with our members, who include all the funded Specialist Homelessness Services in Tasmania. Read more…

Response to Trajectory for Low Energy Existing Homes, July 2019 Consultation Paper

The poor energy performance of many homes, combined with significant rises in energy costs over the past decade, and increasingly extreme weather fuelled by the climate crisis, means that a significant and growing proportion of the population are now living in homes that are damp, too cold in winter and too hot in summer. As a result, people on low-incomes …

Submission to the House of Assembly Select Committee on Housing Affordability

Shelter Tas welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the House of Assembly Select Committee on Housing Affordability. Our submission draws on the latest research, data and extensive consultation with our members, interstate colleagues and national peaks. The content of our submission is the responsibility of Shelter Tas and reflects our knowledge and expertise as the State’s peak body for housing …

Talking Point article – Cheap fixes no answer to homeless

Housing is an essential need for everyone, but too many Tasmanians are experiencing homelessness. Everyone agrees that effective responses are urgently needed to our homelessness crisis. We need to expand our current crisis accommodation and housing services, while developing additional solutions. Read more…

National Shelter Inclusionary Zoning Report

Social housing is critical for people living on low incomes who require a subsidy to achieve an affordable home. This project aims to examine current inclusionary planning policies that deliver social and affordable housing supply across Australia. It will compare State/Territory and Local Government policies established across the country to identify the challenges and opportunities for inclusionary zoning. This document …

National Shelter 2019 Election Policy Priorities

Australia needs a National Housing Strategy to ensure that all citizens can access the housing they need and want, that is affordable, appropriate, safe and secure. A senior Commonwealth Minister must take responsibility for the implementation of the Strategy, coordinating and facilitating the policies, legislation and resources necessary to lead and engage State and Territory governments and the range of …

Submission to the Productivity Commission – The Social and Economic Benefits of Improving Mental Health

Shelter Tas broadly supports the submission by the Mental Health Council of Tasmania, our sister peak. In this submission we focus on housing and mental health issues that are reported to us by the Specialist Homelessness Services (SHS) and community housing providers in Tasmania, who are all included in our membership. Our positions are based on consultation with our members, …