Government inaction on short stay contributing to housing crisis

• Hodgman Government completely hands off on monitoring impact of sharing economy
• Adverse social and economic consequences as housing costs increase
• Social housing declines as rental market remains tight
The Hodgman Liberal Government’s completely hands off approach to monitoring and regulating Tasmania’s burgeoning short stay accommodation sector has contributed to the state’s growing housing crisis.
Shadow Housing Minister Josh Willie said new data released by the Institute for the Study of Social Change showed the short stay sector was still growing and was having a significant impact on the private rental market.
“Tasmanians are sleeping in tents because of the inaction of this government,” Mr Willie said.
“Labor has been talking about compliance, pausing new permits in high stress areas and data capture and monitoring impact for years while at the same time Housing Minister Roger Jaensch has admitted the government has been caught napping when planning for housing.
“The Hodgman Government is still continuing to encourage population growth but has not planned for it and has under-invested in social housing.
“Under this government, social and community housing continues to decline.
“The government has no workforce plan in place for skilled workers to build the houses to meet demand and completions of new houses continue to decline.
“It’s time for Minister Jaensch and Premier Hodgman to admit they have got it badly wrong, take on the findings of today’s report, go back to the drawing board and address the critical issue of housing affordability and homelessness.”
Josh Willie MLC Shadow Housing Minister