Homelessness in North West Tasmania is expected to rise by 15.4 per cent next year and 26.1 per cent more families will experience housing stress, according to a new report commissioned by Equity Economics.

These aren’t just numbers. They are people in our community.

The report predicts that when JobKeeper ends in March and JobSeeker goes back to $40 a day, the number of people experiencing homelessness across Australia will rise.

The face of homelessness is changing, with older women now the fastest growing group of homeless people in Australia, increasing by 31 per cent between 2011 and 2016.     

The report predicts a 14.1 increase in homelessness and 25.9 increase in housing stress state-wide. A $451 million investment would create 1,181 homes, 260 jobs and give the Tasmanian economy a $283 million boost.

Senator Anne Urquhart said:

“For months Labor has been calling on the Morrison Government to fund the construction of more social housing. This would be a win-win.  It would help with the economic fallout of COVID-19 and put a roof over the head of vulnerable Tasmanians who desperately need it.”

“The COVID-19 crisis has made it even clearer just how important safe and affordable housing is.”

“State governments cannot do this alone, as the pitiful achievements of the Gutwein government in social housing amply demonstrate. We need national leadership on this.”

The Morrison Government failed to invest a single extra dollar in social housing in the Budget.

“The Prime Minister should make homelessness a priority for the National Cabinet,” Senator Urquhart said.