There is now even more reason for escalating Tasmania’s responses to housing hardship and homelessness in this COVID-19 budget. Health and housing are inextricably linked; we can only fight the virus with a strong housing response. This needs to be the number one budget priority. Public health measures that require people to stay home, maintain social distancing, and isolate where necessary, all rely on people having somewhere to live. People’s need for accommodation, support and homes is critical during the COVID-19 public health emergency, not only because everyone has a right to a home, but also because our community is only as safe as its most vulnerable members. Read more…