TAHL Should Remain
07 June 2010
If the Government is serious about tackling the affordable housing crisis, Tasmanian Affordable Housing Limited should be retained, according to Master Builders Tasmania (MBT), the peak employer body representing the building and construction industry.
Mr Michael Kerschbaum, Executive Director of MBT said, “MBT has always supported the model upon which TAHL has been established. In October 2002 the Association recommended, as part of its budget submission, the following:
Housing Tasmania consider taking on the role of intermediary between the private landlord and tenant and sub-lease properties from the private sector on behalf of its clients.”
Mr Kerschbaum added, “MBT is positive that TAHL can achieve what it has set out to do if given an opportunity. TAHL has only been in existence for a little over 2 years when you account for the fact that the funding agreement was signed in September 2007 and in November last year TAHL were advised not to enter into any new agreements.”
Mr Kerschbaum concluded, “Unfortunately the timing of the Global Financial Crisis has also impacted upon TAHL’s effectiveness. Funding for building developments was one of the first areas that lenders shied away from and we are only now seeing an improvement in credit availability for building related projects. Whilst TAHL cannot fill all of the social housing vacancies in Tasmania, they can provide some of the desperately needed housing at a very affordable price. The Association is keen to see what sort of outcomes the Federal Government funded NRAS and Social Housing Stimulus packages deliver as part of the overall affordable housing reduction strategy.”
Statement by Mr Michael Kerschbaum, Executive Director
For further comment contact Michael Kerschbaum (w) 6234 3810 or (m) 0438 343 810
