A Tasmanian housing provider has revealed it was outbid in an attempt to purchase a hotel in Hobart to accommodate young people experiencing homelessness.
Colony 47 CEO Dianne Underwood said the organisation tried to buy the Fountainside Hotel, which was for sale by the University of Tasmania, but was unsuccessful.
According to a report by Homelessness Australia in 2022-23, more than 400 Tasmanian children sought help from homelessness services alone.
Underwood said their failed bid highlights the growing problem of youth homelessness in the state and the need for new solutions.
“While we were unsuccessful in our bid to purchase Fountainside, we remain on the lookout for suitable properties and financial supporters to deliver a large-scale supported youth accommodation facility in greater Hobart,” she told Pulse.
“We believe this is a critical step towards realising our vision for ending youth homelessness in Tasmania.”
UTAS purchased the property in 2019 for $18.76 million, with plans to use it for student accommodation.
It was then leased to the Tasmanian Government in 2020 for use as COVID quarantine hotel.
The sale price of the Fountainside Hotel has not yet been disclosed.
