- In short: A new program in Tasmania provides subsidised rent to people aged 18-24 for a fully furnished property for up to three years, either in a share house capacity or on their own.
- What's next? It is hoped the program will serve as "a helping hand" for young people to "get a foot in the door of a rental home".
At just 22, Trenton Hoare is already well acquainted with the challenges of Tasmania's rental market.
Having moved from Devonport to Hobart for university, Mx Hoare spent two years in student accommodation.
Mx Hoare said it took him about six months to find an affordable rental, and not having any rental history added to the challenge.
"I was lucky to have that. I was living in university accommodation.
"Before that I was living with my mum on the north-west coast, so you've got nothing to go back on, especially with landlords that have multiple investment properties — this is their income … they want experienced tenants."
A new pilot program from housing provider Colony 47, in partnership with the MyState Foundation, is aiming to change that — providing a pathway for young people to get into longer-term, subsidised housing.
The JumpStart program is targeted at Tasmanians aged 18-24 who are working or studying, to give them a leg up into the rental market.
Eligible participants would be provided with furnished houses, subsidised rent, support, and property management for up to three years.
They can choose a share house or a to live alone, depending on their needs and budget.
Colony 47 chief executive Dianne Underwood said it would give young people an opportunity to build up a private rental history and independent living skills, at a price they could afford.
Every 12 months, the rent subsidy amount would be reviewed and it would be decreased as the tenant's income improved.
"Young people are the ones that are completely vulnerable in this current housing crisis," Ms Underwood said.
"They can't compete against families with young children, or people who are on a double income with no kids.
"They're the ones that are continually pushed out of the market."
On the night of the 2021 Census, 569 people aged 18 or under in Tasmania said they were experiencing homelessness.
Of those, 325 were children aged under 12 and 13 were sleeping rough.
The 2023 Anglicare Rental Affordability Snapshot showed Tasmania continued to have the least affordable rental market in the country.
There were no private rentals available at the time of the snapshot that were affordable for people receiving JobSeeker or Youth Allowance.
"Young people are competing against others for rent and rent prices are going through the roof," Ms Underwood said.
She said $540 a week was the average rental price, which young people could not afford.
Cost of living generally is a growing concern for Tasmanians.
Consultancy organisation 3P, in its March quarter cost of living index, found the number of Tasmanians reporting moderate to extreme concern relating to both interest rate and overall cost of living rises had increased, and up to 91 per cent were moderately to extremely concerned abut the impact on their day-to-day lives.
The top cost of living pressures — affecting more than half of all Tasmanians — were groceries, electricity, transport, and transport and motor vehicle expenses.
JumpStart expected to grow over time
It is hoped the JumpStart program would help about 18 people in its first year of operation.
Colony 47 expects the program will grow over time.
The houses available will include rentals that young people have found themselves, and private properties that home owners have nominated to be rented out as part of the program, with an emphasis on establishing affordable share houses.
The program is being supported by MyState Foundation, which, in addition to rental assistance and furniture, will also be providing financial coaching to the young residents.
MyState Limited chief executive Brett Morgan said the organisation "fell in love" with the idea of the program.
"This isn't a hand out, but rather a helping hand to get that all important foot in the door of a rental home," Mr Morgan said.
"The real challenge in the community is housing, and rental accommodation affordability."
