2021
Hobart continues to face a critical shortage of affordable rental homes. For renters, data consistently show that Hobart remains the least affordable Capital City and Rest of the State the least affordable region in the country. Hobart’s house prices and rental costs are growing much faster than people’s incomes, with the worst impacts on those who can least afford higher prices. In particular, it is vital to ensure that there is a net increase and no loss of the existing level of affordable rental and social housing in the Hobart Precinct areas. Read more here.
Shelter Tas is the peak body for housing and homelessness services in Tasmania. Each year, Shelter Tas is invited to represent the sector on housing and homelessness issues in the State Government Budget Process. We are pleased to provide this submission to the 2022-23 State Government Budget Process. Shelter Tas represents the interests of low to moderate income housing consumers, Community Housing providers and Specialist Homelessness Services (crisis and emergency shelters) across Tasmania. Read the submission here.
The 2021 Shelter Tas Annual Report highlights the range of our systemic work, and the continued dedication of our members across the state to deliver more safe and affordable homes and better housing outcomes, in a highly challenging environment. Read the full report here.
Shelter Tasmania recognises housing affordability, family breakdown, family and domestic violence and ageing as particular issues impacting the housing security of women and girls, including all people from LGBTIQ+ communities who identify as being part of this cohort. More broadly we recognise that secure, affordable and appropriate housing is the foundation for a safe and healthy community, and a strong economy. This submission is informed by consultation with our Policy Committee and other members. Read the full submission here.
Shelter Tas welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Scoping Paper for draft Tasmanian Planning Policies. This is a rare opportunity to make an important difference to the planning principles that will “shape the future for Tasmania through strategic land use planning” (Minister’s foreword to the Scoping Paper). At present, the Scoping Paper does not include social and affordable housing, or short stay accommodation. Including these items in the Tasmanian Planning Policies is vital and timely to ensure that the Tasmanian Planning System can address Tasmania’s chronic shortage of social and affordable rental housing in the future. Read the full submission here.
Shelter Tas has created this helpful resource in consultation with member organisations, which provides definitions and further reading for commonly used housing and homelessness terminology. Read more here.
Shelter Tas appreciates the opportunity to contribute to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue Inquiry into housing affordability and supply in Australia. We support the submission from National Shelter, and provide a Tasmanian perspective, focussing on the need to increase the supply of affordable social housing rentals to a level of 10% of all dwellings. Read more here.
Tasmania is experiencing a chronic and critical shortage of affordable rental housing. Shelter Tas supports the City of Hobart tackling this important issue, and welcomes the report Short Stay Accommodation – Potential Planning Scheme Amendments that was tabled at the City Planning Committee Meeting on 17 August 2021. Read more here.
Shelter Tas’ op ed piece for Homelessness Week 2021. Read more here.
Homelessness affects people of all ages, and in all regions of Tasmania. In the shadow of the COVID-19 pandemic, all Tasmanians are starkly aware that housing and health cannot be separated. The need to reduce and eliminate homelessness in Tasmania has never been more urgent. Read the fact sheet here.
Shelter Tas members include women’s shelters, family and men with children shelters, youth shelters and services who provide supported accommodation for young people across Tasmania. People and children are exposed to more risks when they are not safely and securely housed, and poverty narrows people’s options and exacerbates their risks. We know that appropriate accommodation and support are essential for many children and young people who are victims and survivors of child sexual abuse. Read the submission here.
All Tasmanians need and deserve a safe, appropriate, affordable and secure home, but for far too long, people have been missing out due to expensive rents and too few homes. In Tasmania we have over 120 000 households living in below the poverty line. Rents statewide have increased by over 35% in the last 5 years, and the waiting list for social housing is over 3 800. These numbers represent too many Tasmanian families and individuals who are struggling with the mental stress and uncertainty of homes they cannot find and afford. Read more here.
Shelter Tas is the peak body for housing and homelessness services in Tasmania. We know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are significantly disadvantaged with respect to housing and other social determinants of health, education, justice and many other essentials of life in Australia. We support the three positions developed in the From the Heart Interim Report. Read more here.
Shelter Tas is the peak body for housing and homelessness services in Tasmania. Each year, Shelter Tas is invited to represent the sector on housing and homelessness issues in the State Government Budget Process. We are pleased to provide this submission to the 2021-22 State Government Budget Process. Shelter Tas represents the interests of low to moderate income housing consumers, Community Housing providers and Specialist Homelessness Services (crisis and emergency shelters) across Tasmania. Read the submission here.
Shelter Tas supports Raise the Rate campaign and the call to permanently increase JobSeeker, Youth Allowance and related income support payments to a level that enables people to live a dignified life. All Australians deserve to live with an income that is adequate to meet their basic needs for housing, food, medicine, transport and other essentials of life. Read more here.
Tasmania’s planning system has a significant influence on the types and locations of homes being built, and therefore on people’s access to appropriate housing, and outcomes for social inclusion across our community. The planning system sets the framework for the supply, diversity, location and affordability of housing that is developed. This framework needs a clear and inclusive vision to meet the current and future housing needs of our community, especially the need for affordable and social housing in all Tasmanian neighbourhoods. Read more here.
For archived papers and reports please contact the Shelter Tas office info@sheltertas.org.au