Category Archive

As the year 2020 comes to a close, many of us can look forward to festivities and a break from work. We also reflect on the past year, and begin to focus on the year ahead. In spite of the pandemic this year, the housing and homelessness sector, in partnership with government had many great achievements, with new services opening …

The Rental Affordability Index is released every year, and continues to document the worsening state of Tasmania’s private rental market – compared to five years ago, statewide rents are up 37%, significantly outpacing any increases in people’s incomes. The three-year trend for greater Hobart shows a decrease in affordability of 9.4%. As we know, an expensive and competitive private rental market is …

The Shelter Tas Annual General Meeting was held on Friday 27th November 2020, as a virtual event via MS Teams in line with COVID-safe protocols. The meeting was very well attended online, and we were happy to welcome members of the Shelter Policy Committee in-person to be part of the meeting’s formalities. Read more…

Shelter Tas welcomes the 2020-21 Tasmanian State Budget, with increased spending for social housing and homelessness services. Shelter Tas has argued consistently that investment in not-for-profit affordable housing is the best way to keep our community safe, secure and productive. Read more…

Last month the anniversary of the waiving of Tasmania’s Housing Debt – in September 2019 – passed almost unnoticed. While this success has been somewhat eclipsed by the COVID-19 pandemic, it remains an important reminder of the power of persistence, evidence and systemic advocacy. For over fifteen years, Shelter Tas had called for debt relief, in our budget submissions, meetings …

To relieve housing hardship, and reduce and prevent homelessness, an increased supply of affordable homes is needed, as well as adequate income to cover household costs and avoid poverty. Shelter Tas supports the SHARP proposal to build more homes across Australia. We also call for 10% of all dwellings to be social housing that stays affordable for people in the …

Shelter Tas supports the submissions from our colleagues at National Shelter, the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA), and Homelessness Australia, calling for an increased investment in social housing as economic stimulus. Read more…

Even though the days are becoming sunnier and warmer, people across Tasmania are still struggling with housing hardship and homelessness. Last week, Anglicare’s latest Rental Affordability Snapshot update confirmed what we already know. Low income renters are at the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic, and competition for low cost properties is intense and increasing. Shockingly, for people on the lowest incomes, …

As the CEO of Shelter Tas, I often find people asking me what they can do to help. Many people are already contributing, by working in Tasmania’s Specialist Homelessness Services, Community Housing providers or other organisations that help people secure and maintain safe and healthy homes, contributing goods or time, and donating funds – and we always welcome new members. …

In the last year, Tasmania’s 49 specialist homelessness services supported over 6 500 clients. On any given day, agencies were supporting over 1900 people.  Of those receiving assistance and support, almost 500 were young people aged between 15 and 24, and 191 were children in families. In total, 682 people aged under 25 tried to find assistance from Tasmanian Specialist …