‘Ghastly’ and ‘Terrible’ State of Housing Stock Demands Action from State and Federal Labor

The Tasmanian Greens today revealed that with $17 million of housing debt relief from the Federal Labor Government, the Tasmanian Labor Government could afford to purchase approximately 75 dwellings every year for immediate use by Tasmanians who are currently living in limbo while stuck on the housing waiting list.

Greens Housing spokesperson Tim Morris MP said the freeing-up of $17 million per annum for housing would allow the Housing Minister Lin Thorp to immediately begin purchasing appropriate homes on the open market, a move that is desperately required following today’s admission from the Minister that the state of some public housing in Tasmania is currently ‘ghastly’ and ‘terrible’.

Mr Morris also called on the Federal Labor Government to show compassion to homeless Tasmanians and forgive the Federal-State housing debt of $240 million, which would immediately free up $17 million per annum, money that is currently handed over to the Federal government in loan interest and capital repayments.

“With $17 million extra per annum the government could immediately purchase about 20 homes in the North West, 20 homes in Launceston and the North East, and 35 homes in Hobart and southern Tasmania, every year,” said Mr Morris.

“The best way to reduce the housing waiting lists quickly is for the Housing Minister to begin purchasing private dwellings for public use.”

“There are 300 people in the highest category housing waiting list, there are 3000 people waiting in total, and the Minister is now revealing that a number of dwellings are in a terrible state and cannot be lived in – when will the Federal Government show compassion and relieve Tasmanians of this historical housing debt burden?”

“The Tasmanian Labor Government must seek debt relief from their Federal Labor colleagues, and accelerate the addition of more dwellings to our public housing stock by using the $17 million that could be freed-up to immediately purchase private homes for use as public housing,” said Mr Morris.

References: Appropriate properties advertised today via The Advocate, The Mercury and The Examiner:

5/44 Hiller Street, Devonport, two bedroom unit, close to CBD, $155 000, http://realestate.theadvocate.com.au/overview/398415/544-hiller-street-devonport-7310/5/44

1/6A Ravenswood Road, Launceston, two bedroom unit, close to shops, schools & doctor, $175 000 – $195 000, http://realestate.examiner.com.au/overview/779866/unit-16a-ravenswood-road-ravenswood-7250/

4 Vieste Drive, Glenorchy, three-four bedroom house, close to Glenorchy CBD, offers over $270,000, http://www.ljhooker.com.au/property_profile.php?propertycode=2023688&propertytype=residential
Tim Morris MP Greens Housing Spokesperson