The Tasmanian Government is delivering the largest ever investment in social and affordable housing to help Tasmanians to have a roof over their head.
After successfully negotiating to have the $157 million Commonwealth-State Housing Agreement (CSHA) debt waived three years ago this month, we have been able to direct more than $230 million towards increasing supply of social housing and reducing homelessness by saving on the principal and interest repayments through to 2042.
From September 2019 to 30 June 2022, we have delivered just over 210 new homes for Tasmanians from the debt waiver savings.
These savings also allowed us to contribute $2.1 million to help fund the purchase of the former Balmoral Motor Inn, in Goodwood, by Hobart City Mission to provide a supported accommodation facility.
Now known as Mountain View Lodge, the facility contains 32 high-quality units, a commercial kitchen, laundry and a large dining room, providing medium to long-term housing and supports for priority applicants on the Housing Register.
Debt waiver funds have also funded the upgrading of a 50-unit social housing complex in Glenorchy as part of a dedicated program for older Tasmanians experiencing poverty and homelessness.
The Tasmanian Government recognises that Tasmanians need a range of housing assistance and support options and funded a further 41 Private Rental Incentive (PRI) homes from the debt waiver. PRI makes incentive payments and provides support to property owners to lease their homes to Tasmanians on low incomes at affordable rents.
We are continuing to work with the federal government on their housing and homelessness initiatives to provide for Tasmanians in need. We are collaborating with all levels of government and the community through our Ministerial Reference Group on Housing which is meeting later today. This group are providing their expertise to remove the barriers to deliver what housing we need to build, and where, to best support the growth of Tasmanian communities into the future.
The Tasmanian Government is focused on matters that Tasmanians really care about and having a strong economy allows us to commit to an ambitious 10-year plan to deliver 10,000 homes and units by 2032, and we are on track to deliver 1500 of those homes by June 30, 2023.
