Housing Crisis Deepens as Waitlist Hits Record High

Meg Brown MP (Shadow Minister for Housing) and Vica Bayley MP (Greens Housing Spokesperson), have released separate media statements highlighting the growing social housing waitlist in the state. Both politicians criticise the State Government’s handling of the housing crisis, citing record-high waitlist figures and questioning the government’s claims about building new homes.

Media release – Meg Brown MP, Shadow Minister for Housing, 5 September 2025

Record waitlist figures show housing need greater than ever

Record high waitlist figures have provided more proof that the State Government isn’t doing enough to meet housing demand for Tasmanians.

Homes Tasmania’s latest monthly report shows there are now 5,247 Tasmanian primary applicants on the social housing register – up more than 10 per cent from the same time last year.

With each primary applicant potentially representing multiple family members, the number of Tasmanians waiting for social housing is estimated to be approaching 18,000*.

Despite the waitlist continuing to grow, government MPs are more focused on trying to make Tasmanians believe they are fixing the problem, than actually fixing the problem.

We hear over and over again about the Government being on track to deliver 10,000 new social and affordable homes – even though the Liberals have admitted that they are counting vacant lots, and have a high proportion of the target made up of shared equity purchases or existing rentals acquired by Homes Tasmania.

The goal of delivering 10,000 more homes is noble. Misleading Tasmanians about progress is not.

Access to safe and secure housing helps ensure a better future for children, and should be a priority for all governments, including the current one.

*Extrapolation of attached Homes Tasmania RTI – “As at 31 December 2024, there were 16,500 people within Housing Register applications waiting for social housing. There were 4,866 primary applicants on the Housing Register”. 

Media release – Vica Bayley MP, Greens Housing Spokesperson, ​​​​​5 September 2025

Housing Waitlist Continues to Grow

Homes Tasmania’s latest monthly report paints a concerning picture of a social housing waitlist which is continuing to grow.

It’s just not good enough that the social housing waitlist continues to grow, and Tasmanians are sleeping rough. A safe and affordable home isn’t just a basic need, it’s a fundamental human right.

For more than a decade, the Liberal Government haven’t been investing in building the number of new social and affordable homes needed to stem the housing crisis.

Serious investment is needed in homes for Tasmanians – not a billion dollar plus stadium.

The Liberals have been dishonest with Tasmanians about how many social and affordable homes they’re building, counting crisis accommodation and vacant blocks of land towards the 10,000 new homes target. While there’s been an amendment to now exclude vacant land if it doesn’t get built on, it’s clear that the current approach, and budget allocations, simply isn’t enough to meet Tasmanians’ needs.

The independent review into Homes Tasmanian showed that serious changes were needed.

With Parliament set to return, it’s time the Liberals prioritised Tasmanians struggling with the housing and cost of living crises.

Tasmanian Times (TT) is a community-based news and current affairs service covering the island state of Tasmania. It exists to provide a diverse presentation of Tasmanian issues. TT creates and supports independent media content utilising the best of modern technologies and tried-and-true practices of public-interest journalism.

Support us in expanding our coverage and developing new content by and for Tasmanians. 

 New initiatives on the way include … what our contributors and readers suggest! Please get in touch with your suggestions.