A review of Homes Tasmania, the state-owned housing provider, has been launched following concerns about its performance and the growing public housing waiting list.
Housing Minister Felix Ellis announced the review on Tuesday, saying it will be led by former NSW Auditor-General Margaret Crawford.
The move comes after a parliamentary motion initiated by Independent MP David O’Byrne in July labelled Homes Tasmania a “failing experiment”.
O’Byrne has consistently criticised the agency’s effectiveness, particularly its failure to meet targets and the increase in average wait times for priority applicants.
“The public housing waiting list recently reached an all-time high of 4,912 applications,” O’Byrne said.
“This government’s decision to place responsibility for social housing with an arm’s length statutory authority has, in my view, been a failed experiment that has only worsened the housing crisis.”
He believes public housing should be managed by the public sector.
“A thorough review of Homes Tasmania cannot come soon enough,” O’Byrne said.
Minister Ellis said the review will examine how effectively Homes Tasmania has delivered housing, homelessness and crisis accommodation services over the past two years.
“This review will help to identify ways we can continue to efficiently and effectively grow our housing supply across Tasmania, a key part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future,” he said.
Homes Tasmania manages a portfolio of 13,200 properties and land assets worth $4.44 billion.
