Hodgman needs to show a heart and act on growing homelessness

 Urgent support services for homeless Tasmanians at showgrounds need to be put in place
 Housing case workers, social workers and security urgently needed as crisis grows
 Government needs to deliver immediate solutions
 Initiatives discussed at “housing summit” need to be urgently addressed
Premier Will Hodgman needs to act today to address growing homelessness and housing affordability by providing government services to help Tasmanians caught in the crisis.
Shadow Housing Minister Josh Willie said Mr Hodgman and his government clearly had little idea about how to address the crisis, particularly around the growing tent city at the Hobart showgrounds.
“The government has panicked, releasing an audit of government-owned land which will be facilitated with fast track planning legislation without working with local communities, community housing providers and developers on project concepts,” Mr Willie said.
“A lack of information causes unnecessary fear. Not only has the government not done the work, the government will not be acting immediately to solve the crisis.
“Mr Hodgman needs to be installing tangible measures to help people out and this is as fundamental as allocating housing case workers, social workers and security services at the showgrounds.
“The government has its priorities wrong and – worse in relation to homeless Tasmanians – does not appear to have any priority at all.
“As a starting point, Mr Hodgman needs to step in and direct more funding toward housing affordability and homelessness.
“During the election campaign, the Liberals committed $125 million toward affordable housing but this crisis requires immediate as well as long term solutions.
“Mr Hodgman is giving $6.8 million to the pro-pokies lobby while people are sleeping rough.
“In its previous term the Liberal Government ignored the critical need to address growing housing affordability issues and growing homelessness and today we have a situation where Tasmanians are living in tents as winter approaches.”
Josh Willie MLC Shadow Housing Minister