SKYROCKETING RENTS HIT MOST VULNERABLE HARDEST

Tasmania's rental crisis is having a disproportionate impact on the state's most vulnerable people.

Hobart rents have gone up 9.1% in the last year, which will have a severe impact, particularly on single parents, young people, students, migrant workers and older women.

Vulnerable people are squeezed out of the rental market during a crisis. They are left to make agonising choices in a cost-of-living crisis between paying their rent or affording other essentials for themselves or their loved ones.

Sometimes it’s a matter of moving away, but even this is impossible for some. No one should have to choose between safe housing and health care, or safe housing and a meal for their families.

But that's the reality many Tasmanians face today.

Last week I visited the Hobart Showgrounds where medium-density affordable housing is planned but not yet built. This would be the perfect opportunity for government to take action and facilitate development that delivers homes.

Finding ways to make suitable housing a priority would go a long way to fixing Tasmania’s housing crisis. I urge Minister Vincent to grasp this.

It is time for the state government to heed these cries for help from everyday Tasmanians who need a roof over their heads. There are people inside the State Government who acknowledge the crisis, but it's time this sentiment was matched by tangible outcomes.

We need to acknowledge the impact short-stay properties are having on rental prices. The government’s proposed 5% levy on short stay won’t go anywhere near solving this crisis, and I encourage people to have their say on short stay legislation reform before 25 February.

It’s time the government put themselves in the shoes of Tasmanians under severe rental stress.