Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader and Housing spokesperson
The Liberals' Housing and Homelessness Expo is an exercise in window dressing that will do nothing to address the housing crisis.
Instead of inviting people in housing stress to an expo, Minister Jaensch needs to get serious about ramping up sustainable supply, allowing for long term housing alternatives such as tiny houses and communal living and, regulate the short stay accommodation market as a matter of urgency.
Airbnb and short stay listings continue to soar in greater Hobart, taking homes out of the private rental market.
Just last week, Hobart’s Lord Mayor reported a sharp spike in applications for Airbnb listings.
UTAS research and evidence before the Parliament’s Housing Inquiry make it plain short stay accommodation listings are not only contributing to the housing shortage, but continuing to rise.
Every home converted to tourism accommodation is a home no longer available for a Tasmanian family.
Governments across the world are regulating the short stay market to look after the locals who need a home.
It’s well past time for a formal regulatory hand in Tasmania, starting with a pause on new listings in greater Hobart until new housing supply is delivered.
Tasmanians needing a home should come first.