Media Release by The Hon Julie Collins MP

New accessible and inclusive homes for Tasmanians with disability

Joint Media Release with:

  • Brian Mitchell MP
    Federal Member for Lyons

New accessible and inclusive homes for Tasmanians with disability

The Minister for Housing Julie Collins today unveiled three new purpose-built social housing dwellings in New Norfolk, Tasmania, delivered by the Supported Affordable Accommodation Trust (SAAT).

These homes complete the 27 dwellings delivered by SAAT across nine sites in the Greater Hobart region funded by the Australian Government.

The program has delivered 134 dwellings that will offer long-term housing to people on the Tasmanian social housing priority list, including older people, people escaping family violence, people at risk of experiencing homelessness and people living with disability.

Minister Collins said partnerships with organisations such as SAAT were important to achieving the Government’s housing reform agenda.

“The realisation of these new social and affordable dwellings is a testament to what strong collaboration between all levels of government and community housing providers can achieve,” Minister Collins said.

“When we all pull in the same direction we can make real, lasting change in the housing sector to ensure more Australians have a safe, affordable and accessible place to call home.

“This is exactly the kind of partnership the Australian Government could do more of through the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund.”

Minister Collins said SAAT’s new dwellings were purpose-driven and practical, promoting independent living arrangements for people with disability. They were designed and equipped to meet the accessibility needs of people with disability, and include on-site accommodation for a support worker.

“These homes will foster greater independence and accessibility for residents, as well as a more inclusive and equal Tasmania,” Minister Collins said.

Brian Mitchell MP, federal Member for Lyons, welcomed the new homes to his electorate.

“These affordable, accessible homes will make a huge difference to people’s daily lives, offering independence and dignity to people living with disability. But we know there’s more to do,” he said.

“The Labor Government’s Housing Australia Future Fund would make a real difference but it’s being blocked in the Senate by an unholy alliance between the Liberals and the Greens.

“Every day of delay by the Senate means less money for social and affordable housing for people in need.”

The Albanese Government’s ambitious housing agenda also includes:

  • The $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund, the single biggest investment in social and affordable housing by a Federal Government in more than a decade, which will build 30,000 new social and affordable rental homes in its first five years;
  • A new $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator to deliver thousands of new social homes across Australia;
  • An extra $67.5 million to states and territories to help tackle the homelessness challenges revealed in the 2021 Census, as part of the $1.7 billion one-year offer of extension to the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement;
  • Introducing incentives to increase the supply of rental housing by improving arrangements for investments in build-to-rent accommodation;
  • Increasing the maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance by 15 per cent;
  • Establishing a new National Housing Accord;
  • Investing $350 million to deliver an additional 10,000 affordable rental homes over five years from 2024 as part of the Accord;
  • Making up to $575 million available through the National Housing Infrastructure Facility to support more social and affordable rental homes;
  • Investing an additional $2 billion in financing for more social and affordable rental housing through the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation; and
  • The Help to Buy program, which will help more people buy a home sooner.