Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens’ Leader
Minster Jaensch’s response to the escalating housing crisis is completely out of touch. His failure to acknowledge the impact of short stay accommodation on the availability of rental homes will consign more Tasmanians to housing stress and homelessness.
As Minister for both Housing and Planning, Mr Jaensch is in a unique position to curb the explosion in short stay accommodation listings. Sadly, he doesn’t seem to grasp the seriousness nor the urgency of the problem.
The Minister spruiks that his government is “easing cost of living pressures”, while failing to regulate a market which is shutting Tasmanians out of the rental market.
These modest changes he announced today are tinkering around the edges, and will do nothing to improve the shortage of residential accommodation.
Recent data released by UTAS shows that in Greater Hobart, at least 1,993 properties are listed on just one short stay platform, more than double the amount listed in 2016. Of these, over 75% are entire properties, not just rooms in a primary residence.
Projections also make it clear we have yet to hit peak short stay investment. The pressure on rentals will increase unless decisive action is taken.
Mr Jaensch needs to immediately press pause on the issue of new permits for conversion residential property to short stay property in areas with tight rental markets.
If the Minister won’t act, Parliament may need to in order to ensure homes for Tasmanians are the priority.