An overwhelming majority of Tasmanians believe the state is facing a housing crisis, according to EMRS’ latest TasTalks Housing Survey. The findings reveal two thirds of Tasmanians have experienced a significant rise in housing costs in the last year.

The survey reveals that around half Tasmanian mortgagees and renters are experiencing mortgage or rental stress, with over a third of their household incomes going towards loan or rental repayments. Alarmingly, almost one in five are spending over half of their earnings on these expenses. Among renters, nearly 60% are experiencing rental stress, exacerbating the strain on younger people who are more likely to be in this group.

Rising prices are weighing heavily on Tasmanians, with close to one in five concerned about becoming homeless due to the cost of housing. This is highest among renters, with 42% worrying about the prospect of homelessness.

EMRS Managing Director Paul Jamrozik said: “The housing crisis is hitting renters and younger people hard, with most saying they are spending over a third of their income on housing. There are very real and widespread concerns among this group that they will become homeless because of the cost of housing.”

The dream of home ownership also looks dashed for many. The majority of Tasmanians aspiring to own a home don’t expect that they will ever achieve this goal, with only one in five believing they will be able to own their own home in the future.

 “Tasmanians continue to aspire to own their own home, but sadly many believe it’s out of their reach,” Mr Jamrozik said.

 Tasmanians are calling for the state government to invest in building more public and social housing, a key action supported by around two thirds of survey respondents. There is also a strong appeal to reduce access to overseas investors to the housing market, a key measure supported by 57% of survey respondents. Other measures supported by respondents include support for first-home buyers (44%), assistance for renters (42%), and limiting short-term rentals (41%).

Another notable strategy to tackle the housing crisis is the implementation of an empty home levy, which is a tax imposed on investors who leave their property unoccupied for extended periods – such a measure was supported by 60% of survey respondents.   

Mr Jamrozik said: “An empty home levy could be one part of the puzzle towards addressing Tasmania’s housing crisis by encouraging investors to sell, or put their houses on the long-term rental market, but such a measure, much like any tax that impacts personal choice, could face opposition from certain quarters.”

More broadly, because of increased housing costs, almost half of Tasmanians say they are spending less on other goods and services.

“Because of the housing stress that people are feeling, it’s logical that Tasmanians will cut their spending and with tightening of consumer activity, it will relieve inflationary pressures.”

The TasTalks online survey comprised 800 Tasmanians aged 18 years and over and is weighted to be representative of the Tasmanian voting population for age, gender, past vote (at the 2024 state election) and education.

The survey took place from 19 April to 30 April 2024 using EMRS’ online Community Panel of Tasmanians.