The state government of Tasmania has renewed its pledge to provide access to good-quality social housing for vulnerable Tasmanians with the new support services from the Centacare Evolve Housing (CEH).
Under the state's Community Housing Growth Program (CHGP), the CEH will expand their services into Austins Ferry, Berriedale, Bothwell, Brighton, Campania, Colebrook, Granton, Kempton, New Norfolk, Oatlands, Old Beach and Rosetta.
The CEH will roll out additional housing and support services starting in September.
Michael Ferguson, minister for state development, construction, and housing, said community housing providers are a crucial part of the social housing sector given their access to more funding options.
"This means they have more money to provide more housing services like maintenance, upgrades, housing support and community development. This will provide certainty and confidence for both tenants and financial institutions," he said.
The CHGP will transfer the management of 2,000 public housing tenancies to community housing providers under long-term management agreements until 2040.
Ferguson said with the program, tenants will get more housing and support services.
"Eligible tenants will pay rent that includes Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) from Centrelink. Lease terms will also not change under new tenancy management arrangements," he said.
The state government is currently in talks with other community housing providers including Community Housing Limited, Housing Choices Tasmania, and Mission Australia Housing to expand their services.
"This work complements our record investment of $615m into social and affordable housing, and homelessness initiatives, including our record election commitment of $280m to extend our building program of new social housing for Tasmanians in need, is the biggest in this state for decades," Ferguson said.
