Tasmania’s social housing waiting list has hit an all-time high, with 4,701 applicants – including families, couples and singles – in line for accommodation as of November 2023.
The average waiting time for priority housing applicants has surged to 94.7 weeks, the longest it has been since November 2022.
Shadow Housing Minister Ella Haddad has slammed the state government for the “unacceptable figures” and said the waitlist has doubled since the Liberals came to power in 2014.
“The average time to house priority applicants in November rose to an absolutely staggering 94.7 weeks, which is far too long for a family that desperately needs housing to wait,” she said.
“On their watch the waitlist has close to doubled, with the average wait time about four times as long as it was in 2014.”
“People are really doing it tough.”
“We’ve just come through another Christmas period where we know there have been hundreds and thousands of families waiting, couch surfing, or staying with friends, unable to have their own safe space to celebrate the festive season.”
Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson defended the government’s progress and said that they remain on course to construct 10,000 affordable and social housing homes by 2032.
“We’ve got a growing population and also a growing agenda for building more homes in Tasmania,” he said.
“I will emphasise though that not everybody on the housing register requires a house tonight.”
“Homes Tasmania look after people on a priority basis, and those people who are in the most insecure most urgent need will be looked after as a priority.”
