National Homelessness Week highlights “a critical point” in helping disadvantaged Tasmanians.

The St Vincent de Paul Society is using National Homelessness Week, which runs from August 1-7, to highlight the growing need for affordable housing in Tasmania.

Speaking about the issue of homelessness in Tasmania, St Vincent de Paul Society CEO, Lara Alexander, said
that homelessness has reached a critical point in Tasmania.

“Tasmania is facing the same housing crisis as the rest of Australia. House prices are soaring, wages have
plateaued, and housing affordability is now affecting middle Australia,” Mrs Alexander said.

“The Australian Dream is fast moving beyond the reach of minimum income earners, placing pressure on a
limited and overheated rental market. In Tasmania this is exacerbated by so many rental properties being
used for short-term holiday rentals instead of long-term residential purposes.

“The oft quoted number of homeless Tasmanians is 1600. This figure is based on the 2016 Census. Regrettably, according to Andrew Tyson from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, this figure is likely to double when the next census is conducted this month. The State Government is being proactive in working with charities, such as the St Vincent de Paul Society, to build more affordable housing; but the demand for even more affordable housing is going to grow year-on-year.

“Homelessness has its roots in domestic violence, mental health, a shortage of affordable housing, escalating
rents, and an aging population. There are currently an estimated 1,622 Tasmanians in need of support. This
staggering figure does not include a further 943 Tasmanians who are at risk of homelessness or the growing
number of otherwise functioning Tasmanians who are battling to save money for a deposit for a home. This in
itself can cause onset mental health issues and lead to domestic violence.

“A report published in May 2019 by the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, found that between
2001 and 2016 Tasmania recorded a 20% increase in the rate of homelessness. The data from the 2016 census shows that the total number of people in Tasmania experiencing homelessness was 1,622; up from 1,145 in 2006 and 1,537 in 2011. The regional breakdown shows greater Hobart and the Southeast had the highest proportion, 57%; Launceston and the Northeast had 23%; and the Northwest coast 20%.

“Homelessness is no longer that stereotypical person sleeping rough. It is everyday people who are just one
life-altering event away from a devastating change in circumstances.

“We are drilled to save for a rainy day; but when that rainy day comes in the form of illness including mental ill health, substance abuse, relationship breakdown, loss of a spouse, domestic violence, or the loss of a job,
many people simply cannot cope.

“Older women are now the fastest growing cohort facing homelessness; as are older people who do not own
their own home. Women and children affected by domestic violence are also particularly vulnerable.
“The St Vincent de Paul Society is taking a long-term view of changes that need to occur in order to have a
meaningful impact for the growing number of Tasmanians who are at risk of, or who are currently experiencing homelessness. The Society is working closely with other organisations, service providers and the government to better meet the needs of disadvantaged Tasmanians. However, to meet the critical and immediate needs of homeless Tasmanians we must adopt a whole of community approach, including State and Federal governments, the private sector, and not-for-profit organisations,” Mrs Alexander said.

_{MEDIA NOTES: The St Vincent de Paul Society was founded in Paris, France in 1833 by a 20-year old Italian student, Frederic Ozanam. Today, the Society operates in 153 countries and has over 800,000 members. Australia has over 60,000 members, dedicated to assisting people in need and combating social injustice. The Society started in Tasmania in 1899 when founders established a Conference in Launceston. From humble beginnings, the Society has grown to 25 Conferences within three Regional Councils across Tasmania. Each Conference undertake a variety of good works, the most recognised being the traditional Vincentian home visits and the annual CEO Sleep-out to draw attention to homelessness.}

_{Media contact, Mark Wells: +61 414 015 966 (24-hours)
© St Vincent de Paul Society and MWPA.}