 Hobart house prices tipped to grow by 11 per cent over next three years
 Hodgman Government has limited solution to housing affordability crisis
 Labor has a plan to get more Tasmanians into their own homes
The Hodgman Liberal Government has badly failed Tasmanian families trying to get into the housing market as a new report shows Hobart property prices will skyrocket over the next three years.
Shadow Housing Minister Josh Willie said the Liberals Affordable Housing Action Plan did not go far enough at the same time QBE’s Australian Housing Outlook Report showed Hobart house prices will grow by up to 11 per cent by 2020.
Mr Willie said with Hobart growth rates now only second to Canberra, the city’s median house price is tipped to reach $470,000 and it was critical governments act now to help families put a roof over their heads.
“The affordable housing crisis has been escalating and this new report will give no comfort to Tasmanians trying to get out of the rental market and build or buy their own home,” Mr Willie said.
“At the same time the Hodgman Government lacks vision.
“In contrast a majority Labor Government will address the housing affordability crisis head-on with new policies already announced and we will have further initiatives as we go toward the election.
“Our vision includes providing $1.3 million to open up the $13,000 Streets Ahead program for 100 eligible Tasmanians to purchase already existing homes or build new properties off-the-plan in an initial trial on the Eastern Shore.
“Importantly, a majority Labor Government will test the market for potential operators to run a rail service between Hobart and Bridgewater and at the same time masterplan and re-zone the existing northern suburbs rail corridor and open up the area for affordable medium density housing.
“The city’s rental market has become unaffordable, families face huge obstacles trying to break into the housing market and the best solution to that is to increase the supply of land for medium density residential development.
“Labor is determined that every Tasmanian has the opportunity to enter the housing market and a future Labor Government will be about giving every Tasmanian the chance to put a roof over their heads.”
Josh Willie MLC Shadow Housing Minister