Why can't Tasmanian government use this for subsidised housing?

Discussion in 'Politics' started by wylie, 18th Feb, 2023.

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  1. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    Following a few sidetracks leading from the post this week about Tasmanian property that was photoshopped, I went looking for the property listing.

    That led me to notice the old building that we stayed in for a few nights on a visit to Launceston is on the market for 5.5m.

    https://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-tas-launceston-141201076

    We slept in the old building, nicely renovated. We had breakfast in the new building behind it.

    Firstly, I'm curious that this is listed on residential and commercial sites. I guess someone may turn it back into a gracious old mansion.

    More importantly, wouldn't 5.5m be very good value for the Tasmanian government to provide subsidised housing, even short term?

    It has 21 bedrooms, 19 bathrooms. It shows a small kitchen, but we had cooked breakfast each morning. I'd assume one other room beside that kitchen in the new area could be taken to create a larger kitchen.

    Divided up, it comes to 261k per bedroom/bathroom, ready to go. Surely that's cheaper than anything the government could build?
     
    Last edited: 18th Feb, 2023
    wylie, 18th Feb, 2023
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  2. PaulB

    PaulB Well-Known Member

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    Love those buildings in Tassie!

    Governments don't really want to spend money on public housing or they would be doing it instead of talking about it. They want the private sector to do the heavy lifting for them while they portray the same investors as part of the problem!
     
    PaulB, 18th Feb, 2023
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  3. balwoges

    balwoges Well-Known Member

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    There is a housing commission estate in Hamilton, Newcastle which is a ghetto and a good reason why the government does not want to build any housing just for those unfortunate people who are unable to look after themselves. It is hell on earth for the decent people who find themselves having to live there.
     
    balwoges, 19th Feb, 2023
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  4. skater

    skater Well-Known Member

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    I love that building, but couldn't see any Government using something like that.
     
    skater, 19th Feb, 2023
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  5. hammer

    hammer Well-Known Member

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    It's a nice thought but the law of unintended consequences would make this a super expensive idea.

    The money you'd save in startup costs would be dwarfed by the inter-generational social costs of having a bunch of vulnerable people living so close together.

    Social housing is hard.
     
    hammer, 19th Feb, 2023
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  6. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    I agree. I was more thinking short term housing for those who are really vulnerable, rather than long term housing for long term vulnerable people.

    I had just read about newly separated women, or those escaping violence. One featured in the article was a woman living with her daughter in a tent, charged $300 per week. She had a job, but couldn't get a rental due to the shortages.

    I guess I'd like the world to be different to how it actually is.
     
    wylie, 19th Feb, 2023
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  7. Rolf Latham

    Rolf Latham Inciteful (sic) Staff Member Business Plus Member

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    I think in that regard we would all feel that way.

    Ta

    rolf
     
    Rolf Latham, 19th Feb, 2023
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  8. Lizzie

    Lizzie Well-Known Member

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    But how do you stop the short term turning into long term - you can't kick them out after 2 years - and the amount of times one hears sob stories of an oldie living alone in a 3 bedroom home, but "it's been their home for 30 years!" even tho the kids are long gone ... there is nowhere else for them to go.

    And then there is the expense of maintenance etc

    Better, and cheaper, to subsidise landlords in legit housing
     
    Lizzie, 19th Feb, 2023
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  9. wylie

    wylie Moderator Staff Member

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    I'm not sure how to control that, but just think it could solve a serious problem. I've read the new problem is middle aged women who find themselves homeless, often via divorce. Sleeping in a tent with a child is a horrible situation and how can one feel safe doing that?

    I do agree the people who once needed a three bedroom home and are allowed to stay there while families are desperate for a place is something that needs to be addressed. It's just wrong.
     
    wylie, 19th Feb, 2023
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  10. Rolf Latham

    Rolf Latham Inciteful (sic) Staff Member Business Plus Member

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    Similar to NGOs for much of the charity type work, governments might be able to make it work financially, but dont have the resources or the willingness to care for the people's other than obvious needs

    ta
    rolf
     
    Rolf Latham, 19th Feb, 2023
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  11. Lizzie

    Lizzie Well-Known Member

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    I fully agree ... the government dropped the ball and short term holiday accommodation hasn't helped ... suspect, like many social issues, there is no easy answer
     
    Lizzie, 19th Feb, 2023
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  12. skater

    skater Well-Known Member

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    I know an older lady living in a three bed H/C home. She has asked to be moved into a smaller unit, as the upkeep of the lawn is getting too much for her. She's been waiting for over 5 years.
     
    skater, 20th Feb, 2023
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  13. balwoges

    balwoges Well-Known Member

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    Daily life in the badlands of South Hamilton, Newcastle, otherwise known as the Bronx

     
    balwoges, 23rd Feb, 2023
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